Memphis is the 10th most dangerous city for pedestrians, according to a recent study from a footwear company.
KURU, a shoe company that runs an annual report on walkability, rated Memphis the 26th safest U.S. city out of 35 studied for pedestrians, with 2.39 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people.
That's one place higher (or better) on the list ― in last year's rankings, Memphis landed in 9th place with 2.62 deaths per 100,000 people.
Kuru analyzed pedestrian fatality data from the Governors Highway Safety Association’s 2024 preliminary report and data from walkability rating website Walk Scores for 35 major U.S. cities for the ranking.
Boston was ranked the safest city, with 1.09 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people and a Walk Score of 83. Memphis
has a walk score of only 35.
KURU attributed dangerous streets and car-focused infrastructure for putting pedestrians in harm's way in Memphis.
Nashville came in at 28th on the list, or the 8th most dangerous.
Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at jack.armstrong@commercialappeal.com and followed on X @jca2902.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Is Memphis walkable, safe for pedestrians? What a new study showed
