Lawrence city commissioners showed some administrative restraint Tuesday night by denying a request to form a new advisory board to focus on pedestrian safety issues.

The request came from the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which was described by its leaders as “a component” of the Traffic Safety Commission, which took it upon itself to authorize the committee in May 2005. Two members of the Traffic Safety Commission were chosen to co-chair and form the pedestrian committee. For the last year, the pedestrian group has been meeting and advising the Traffic Safety Commission on certain matters.

However, the pedestrian group, saying its members “believe that pedestrian issues in Lawrence deserve greater attention within the city government,” sought to raise its profile by gaining status as an advisory board to the City Commission.

City commissioners wisely declined the request to add to the city’s bureaucracy and instead asked the city staff to look at the possibility of creating a Transportation Advisory Committee that would have the broader mission of studying pedestrian, vehicle, public transit and bicycle issues. Presumably, such a committee could replace two or three existing advisory boards.

Considering how intertwined the interests of pedestrians, bicycles, motor vehicles and public transportation are, it seems to make perfect sense to have one umbrella group to cover them all. Smaller boards that advocate for certain sectors are not nearly as useful as a central board that deals with how those intersecting, and sometimes conflicting, interests can best work together.

Adding to the city’s roster of official advisory boards adds to city costs and doesn’t necessarily improve the city’s response and services for its residents. Denying the request for a pedestrian advisory board was a good decision.