BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — As California recognizes Pedestrian Safety Month in September, Bakersfield police data shows hundreds of pedestrian-related collisions have occurred in the city over the past several years.
The Bakersfield Police Department reported 768 pedestrian-related collisions from 2022 through 2025. The department listed 590 reported injuries, 96 fatal injuries and 93 severe injuries during that period.
So far in 2026, as of Sept. 15, BPD reported 137 pedestrian-related collisions. Of those, 108 involved injuries, 15 were fatal and 19 involved severe injuries.
BPD Statistics on pedestrian related collisionsPDF previewPreview PDF
Sgt. Caleb Kiser with BPD’s Traffic Division said pedestrian-related crashes remain a serious concern.
“Throughout my career, pedestrian-related collisions in Bakersfield tend to be higher than some other cities of similar sizes,” Kiser said.
BPD’s 2026 year-to-date data identified Union Avenue as the corridor with the most pedestrian-related collisions, with 15. Chester Avenue and Ming Avenue each had nine.
The department’s data also showed Friday was the most common day for pedestrian-related collisions, while the most common time window was between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Kiser said officers tend to see more of those crashes after dark.
Kiser said many pedestrian-related crashes occur outside marked crosswalks. He encouraged people walking to use well-lit, designated crossing areas whenever possible.
“If you’re a pedestrian and you’re crossing at a marked crosswalk, your chances of doing so safely tend to increase significantly,” Kiser said.
Cindy Parra, a Bike Bakersfield board member, said the issue goes beyond individual decisions. She said roadway design, lighting, sidewalks and vehicle speeds all affect whether people can safely walk or bike through the city.
Parra, who regularly bikes around Bakersfield, said speed is one of the biggest concerns she sees in neighborhoods. She also pointed to wide roadways, including Coffee Road, where she said drivers can feel comfortable traveling too fast.
“On the west side, the arterials and collectors are so wide and they’re always nicely paved. It’s like getting onto a racetrack,” Parra said. “Coffee Road is a real tough place to bike. The speed there is so fast.”
Parra said some neighborhoods lack sidewalks, forcing people to walk in the street. She said more lighting, sidewalks, marked crossings and traffic-calming measures could help make streets safer.
“Lighting is always a big concern,” Parra said. “Some of our neighborhoods don’t have any sidewalks and folks are walking in the street.”
Kiser said safety requires attention from both drivers and pedestrians. He urged drivers to slow down, allow more time to react and limit distractions, while encouraging pedestrians to make themselves visible and remain aware of their surroundings.
BPD said it uses education and direct enforcement to address areas where pedestrian-related collisions increase.