San Francisco Among US Cities Where Pedestrian Deaths Have Risen Fastest Since 2020

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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August 26, 2026 7:46 PM

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San Francisco faces a troubling travel and tourism challenge as pedestrian deaths rise 108% since 2020, putting one of America’s most walkable cities under fresh scrutiny over road safety.

San Francisco has emerged as one of America’s most striking pedestrian safety concerns, with deaths among people walking rising 108% between 2020 and 2024. The finding is particularly significant for travel and tourism because San Francisco depends heavily on visitors exploring neighbourhoods, attractions, waterfront areas and commercial districts on foot. The city has a walkability score of 89, while 13.6% of commuters walk to work, yet pedestrians represented 47.09% of all traffic fatalities recorded during the five-year period. The figures show why strong walkability alone cannot guarantee safety, particularly where busy roads, vehicle speeds and complex urban traffic interact with everyday travel.

San Francisco stands out in new research examining US cities where pedestrian fatalities have increased fastest, recording an 108% rise between 2020 and 2024. The result is particularly important for travel and tourism because San Francisco is a city where walking is central to the visitor experience, from its waterfront and neighbourhoods to major attractions, shopping streets and public transport connections.

San Francisco’s pedestrian safety problem is difficult to ignore

The research places San Francisco seventh among the ten US cities with the fastest growth in pedestrian fatalities, but its position becomes more concerning when the wider figures are considered, because 89 pedestrian deaths were recorded between 2020 and 2024. Pedestrians represented 47.09% of the city’s 189 total traffic fatalities during that period, giving San Francisco the highest pedestrian share among the cities included in the research and creating a significant travel and tourism consideration for anyone exploring the city on foot.

San Francisco also has a walkability score of 89, placing it among the strongest pedestrian-oriented cities in the comparison, while 13.6% of commuters walk to work. That combination makes the increase particularly striking because the city has many characteristics normally associated with pedestrian-friendly urban travel, yet the research indicates that walking infrastructure and urban accessibility do not automatically translate into lower fatality risks.

Why the figures matter to travellers

For tourism, pedestrian safety is more than a transport issue because visitors frequently experience a destination at street level, often moving between hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops, transit stops and entertainment districts. In San Francisco, walking can be an important part of travel itineraries, particularly around dense visitor areas where travellers may combine public transport with short or extended journeys on foot.

The research found that the median speed limit at locations where pedestrian deaths occurred in 2024 was 25 mph, which is lower than the corresponding figure for several other cities in the study. That detail suggests the safety challenge cannot simply be explained by extremely high posted speed limits, and it reinforces the importance of considering road design, pedestrian crossings, visibility, traffic volumes and the interaction between vehicles and people walking.

A strong walking culture does not remove the risk

San Francisco’s 13.6% walk-to-work figure is considerably higher than in several cities included in the comparison, showing that walking remains an established part of daily urban mobility. For tourism, that culture can be an advantage because visitors often value destinations where attractions, food, culture and neighbourhood experiences can be reached without relying entirely on private vehicles.

However, a large pedestrian population also means that road safety becomes especially important, because residents and visitors are sharing the same streets throughout the day. The research therefore presents San Francisco as an example of why tourism authorities, city planners and transport agencies need to consider pedestrian safety as part of the wider destination experience rather than treating it solely as a traffic-management issue.

San Francisco compared with other US cities

Springfield recorded the fastest increase in pedestrian fatalities, at 300%, while Boston and Eugene each recorded a 200% rise. New Orleans followed with a 170% increase, Buffalo reached 133%, Honolulu 125%, San Francisco 108%, Norfolk 100%, Washington 80% and Pittsburgh 75%.

San Francisco’s distinction is its exceptionally high pedestrian share of overall traffic deaths, at 47.09%, which is greater than the figures reported for Washington, Honolulu, New Orleans and Boston. This means the city’s ranking is not based solely on the percentage increase in pedestrian deaths, because the underlying scale and proportion of pedestrian fatalities also provide important context for travel, tourism and urban mobility.

What could make walking safer?

The findings point towards a broader approach to pedestrian safety, particularly in cities where walking is a major component of everyday travel and tourism. Measures such as safer crossings, better lighting, clearer pedestrian priority, traffic-calming measures, improved road design and stronger enforcement can all form part of a comprehensive strategy, although the research itself does not establish which individual intervention caused or would prevent the fatalities.

The commentary supplied with the research also highlights the importance of sidewalks, noting that nearly two-thirds of pedestrian deaths occur at locations without them, while arguing that documented infrastructure problems may have legal implications in certain circumstances. Any legal responsibility, however, would depend on the specific facts, applicable law and evidence surrounding an individual incident rather than on the research alone.

What the finding means for travel and tourism

For visitors, the findings should not be interpreted as a reason to avoid San Francisco, which remains a major travel and tourism destination with extensive pedestrian routes, public transport and internationally recognised attractions. Instead, the figures underline the value of sensible street behaviour, particularly at major junctions, multilane roads and locations where vehicle traffic and pedestrian movements converge.

Tourism businesses can also play a role by giving visitors practical information about safe routes, crossings and transport options, particularly for travellers unfamiliar with the city’s road layout. For destination managers, pedestrian safety can influence visitor confidence, accessibility and the overall quality of the tourism experience, making it an issue that extends beyond conventional transport policy.

An editorial perspective on the findings

“San Francisco’s numbers deserve attention because this is a city where walking is not simply a way of getting from one attraction to another; it is part of the travel experience itself. A destination can be highly walkable and still face serious pedestrian risks, so the priority should be to make everyday movement safer for residents and visitors alike. These findings also show why tourism and transport planning should work together, because safer streets strengthen visitor confidence, improve the urban experience and support a more accessible destination. San Francisco should therefore treat pedestrian safety as an important part of its long-term travel and tourism competitiveness.”

The wider lesson for American destinations

San Francisco’s experience demonstrates that a high walkability score should not be treated as a guarantee of pedestrian safety, particularly in major tourism destinations where residents, commuters and international visitors use the same streets. The research offers a useful starting point for examining how fatality trends, pedestrian activity, road speeds and urban design interact, although further investigation would be needed to determine the precise causes behind changes in individual cities.

For the travel and tourism industry, the message is straightforward: pedestrian safety forms part of destination quality. As more travellers seek walkable neighbourhoods and street-level experiences, cities that combine accessibility with safer pedestrian infrastructure can strengthen both visitor confidence and everyday urban mobility.

San Francisco’s pedestrian safety challenge is driven by a combination of heavy pedestrian activity, urban traffic and road environments where people and vehicles interact closely. The answer is not that San Francisco is inherently unsafe for every traveller, but that its 108% increase in pedestrian fatalities demands closer attention. The reason is especially important for travel and tourism: walking is central to experiencing the city, while pedestrians represented 47.09% of traffic fatalities in the research period. Better pedestrian infrastructure, safer crossings, traffic management and public awareness can help address the challenge. The figures ultimately underline why walkability and safety must advance together

San Francisco’s 108% rise in pedestrian fatalities is a significant urban safety warning for a city built around walking, public transport and visitor exploration. Its 89 walkability score demonstrates that accessibility alone does not guarantee safe streets, while pedestrians accounting for 47.09% of traffic fatalities makes the finding particularly notable. For travel and tourism, the issue matters because visitors regularly navigate the city on foot between attractions, hotels, restaurants and transport hubs. The research does not mean travellers should avoid San Francisco, but it highlights the need for greater attention to pedestrian infrastructure, traffic behaviour and safer urban mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco one of the most dangerous US cities for pedestrians?

The research identifies San Francisco among the ten US cities where pedestrian fatalities increased fastest between 2020 and 2024, with an 108% rise.

How many pedestrian deaths did San Francisco record?

San Francisco recorded 89 pedestrian fatalities between 2020 and 2024, according to the supplied research.

What percentage of San Francisco traffic deaths involved pedestrians?

Pedestrian fatalities accounted for 47.09% of San Francisco’s total traffic fatalities during the 2020-2024 period covered by the research.

Is San Francisco a walkable city?

Yes. The research gives San Francisco a walkability score of 89, while 13.6% of commuters reportedly walk to work.

Should tourists avoid walking in San Francisco?

The findings do not suggest that visitors should avoid walking in San Francisco, but travellers should remain alert around busy roads, intersections and vehicle-heavy corridors and use designated crossings wherever possible.