Photo by kezee.

While the safety of cyclists on the District’s roads has been at the center of many discussions of late, pedestrian-centric proposals are usually drowned out by the noise of who’s to blame in the evolving relationship between the two-wheeled and their motorized counterparts. Today, though, two measures were introduced in the D.C. Council that would put additional emphasis on pedestrian safety.

The first, which was proposed by Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), would mandate that if one car is stopped at a pedestrian crossing, any cars coming up behind it should also have to stop, rather than come around or pass on a two-lane road. According to the proposal, this would ensure that any pedestrians in the crosswalk would be able to safely finish crossing.

The other measure, introduced by Councimember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), would lower speed limits on residential roads to 15 miles per hour. According to Bowser, concerns over speeding in residential neighborhoods has discouraged residents from walking and cycling, and she cited research noting that decreases in speed can have a substantial impact on how severe an injury to a pedestrian or cyclist could be. Under Bowser’s proposal, arterial roadways would be exempted.

Both proposals were referred to the Council’s Committee on Environment, Public Works and Transportation, which is chaired by Cheh.