Columbia City Council Work Session: Pedestrian Safety Study - Jan 12, 2026

On January 12, 2026, the Columbia City Council convened a work session to review the Street and Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study conducted by CBB Transportation Engineers. The meeting aimed to clarify study findings, address council questions regarding data and safety risks, and discuss potential amendments to a draft ordinance restricting pedestrian presence on medians before a final vote is held on February 2, 2026. No binding actions were taken during this session as it served as a deliberative work session.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were presented or discussed during this work session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vera: Expressed strong concern that current traffic signal timing and median designs put vulnerable populations, specifically those with disabilities using walkers, at risk. She argued that advising individuals to "keep going" when a light turns green, even if they cannot physically cross in one cycle, is dangerous because high-profile vehicles may not see them. She stated she has been lightly bumped by cars due to these circumstances and questioned how officers would determine if a person is symptomatic on a given day.
• Nancy: Noted that the intent of the ordinance is safety, but acknowledged the need to ensure enforcement does not inadvertently criminalize poverty or homelessness. She emphasized that common sense would likely prevent officers from ticketing individuals physically incapable of crossing, but warned that vague definitions could lead to arbitrary enforcement.
• Jackie: Raised concerns regarding the potential litigation risk to the city if the ordinance is passed versus if it is not. She also voiced concern that the ordinance acts merely as a "band-aid" while infrastructure improvements are slow to materialize, urging for a clear strategic plan and timeline for physical safety projects like wider medians and raised intersections.
• Don: Questioned the clarity of the "major corridor" designation and requested a publicly accessible map and list of impacted roadways to avoid confusion with zoning definitions.

Discussion Items

• Study Findings (Brian Rensing, CBB): Presented data indicating an 11% increase in pedestrian crashes over the last decade, with nearly 32% of such crashes resulting in fatalities. Specific risks identified include 88% of fatal crashes occurring in dark conditions and 30% happening at intersections with medians. The study highlighted that medians under six feet wide pose significant risks due to mirror overhangs and lack of refuge space. The recommendation is to restrict pedestrian presence on medians where road speed is 35+ mph, traffic volume exceeds 15,000 vehicles per day, or median width is six feet or less.
• Council Data Inquiries: Council members questioned the statistical methodology used for the 11% increase, with some expressing that a two-point extrapolation (2015 vs. 2024) did not fully represent the fluctuating data, particularly regarding the COVID-era dip. Staff confirmed the study focused on the net change between the start and end of the decade due to data limitations.
• Enforcement and Definition of Obstruction: Police and Public Works officials discussed enforcement protocols. CPD indicated officers would rely on a "reasonableness standard" and a problem-solving approach, first checking if the individual needs assistance rather than immediately issuing citations. Staff clarified that the ordinance applies only to specific criteria (speed, volume, or width) combined with a major corridor designation, and that the "obstruction" clause is primarily aimed at vehicle conduct or active impediment of traffic flow.
• Amendment Proposals: Council members proposed several amendments:
  • Adding language to ensure the ordinance applies only when a continuous accessible pedestrian route is available and usable.
  • Clarifying that the six-foot median restriction applies only when combined with other criteria (speed/volume/major corridor), correcting previous misunderstandings that width alone was the trigger.
  • Revising language regarding "distribution conduct" to focus on intentional traffic hazards without infringing on free speech.
  • Requesting a high-resolution GIS map of affected corridors for public and council review.

Key Outcomes

• Study Review: The Council received a detailed overview of the pedestrian safety study and identified gaps in data presentation regarding crash statistics.
• Clarification Needs: Staff agreed to provide a supplemental memo containing the full text of related existing ordinances and a high-resolution map of major corridors by the February 2nd meeting.
• Amendments Solicited: Council members submitted suggested amendments regarding accessibility, enforcement discretion, and the definition of prohibited areas, which will be incorporated into the draft for the February 2nd vote.
• Next Steps: The draft ordinance is tentatively scheduled for council consideration and potential vote at the February 2, 2026 regular meeting, contingent on the delivery of additional data and clarifications from staff and the consultant.