[_delirium]

I could tell you about the years I lived in Houston or Los Angeles if you prefer. The situation for pedestrians there was not any better. I've also, more relevant to this article, spent a little time in Raleigh, though I haven't lived there. There is about a 2 block by 8 block area of downtown Raleigh that is reasonably safe for pedestrians.

Maybe somewhere like Portland is different; I haven't been there.

[thebordella]

I don't find any difficulty when being a pedestrian in L.A., besides actual distances.

As a pedestrian you don't need to "share the road", only to cross it. Sidewalks seem plentiful, even if underutilized, and most road crossings have been well marked and signaled. Cars have generally been respectful when I cross.

Cycling here would certainly make me more nervous, outside of the corridors with well-spaced dedicated bike lanes. But walking is fine. It's good exercise and the weather's great.

[akgerber]

LA has 4000 hit-and-runs a year, including 100 pedestrians killed (in 2009). The police department doesn't do a very good job of investigating. http://www.laweekly.com/2012-12-06/news/los-angeles-hit-and-...

I am willing to bet very few drivers will stop for you at an unmarked crosswalk, as well.

[jlgreco]

All three of the cities you've lived in are notorious for sprawl. It would be reasonable to strive for improvement in those cities, but don't make the mistake of thinking that the problems those cities have is representative of the rest of the country.

It's like living in rural Idaho then complaining that America needs to learn how to pave roads because packed dirt just isn't cutting it.