Mary Newsom, the associate editor of the Charlotte Observer, wrote a great piece on pedestrian safety today that should interest all of us. It's entitled "Walk this way. If you can" and includes a list of obstructions and safety concerns she discovered while walking to work once a week since mid-March.
These include unkempt sidewalks with overgrown plants, mud and leaves; sidewalks blocked by garbage bins; what she refers to as "baffling pedestrian lights", some of which are too long a wait or too few and far between; and 'sidewalk closed' signs. A photo shows how a sidewalk is narrowed by growing ivy.
What's interesting about this piece is how many of the same concerns pedestrians share, whether on foot, in a wheelchair, with a guidedog or cane, or pushing a carriage. Many of these issues go unnoticed when people drive by in cars every day. They're unaware of impassable or nonexistent sidewalks and wonder why pedestrians resort to going into the street.
I echo her observation about how property owners don't seem to realize the need to keep their sidewalks clear. This not only includes snow and leaf removal, but protruding bushes and branches and other objects which narrow the walkway so much that it's impassable. Minor overgrowth is one thing- thorny bushes that eat up more than half a sidewalk width need attention.
Finally, Newsom mentions that drivers "can be oblivious to pedestrians. Many ignore the state law giving pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks". She also notes that no pedestrian advocacy group exists.
I also want to mention that drivers need to be aware that areas which are under construction present dangerous pedestrian issues. Sidewalks are often blocked. Street lines may not yet be repainted. Alternative pedestrian routes aren't marked the way alternative driving routes are in these situations, so a pedestrian is left stranded trying to figure out the safest way to get around.
This kind of awareness helps to keep all of us safe. Although I often write about it from a wheelchair user's point of view, this article is a great reminder of how many pedestrian issues we all share in common.
It's certainly sad to see in the comments that people fail to realize that there are pedestrians who have no alternative transportation, like many in the disability community. As paratransit cuts continue to bite into the right to mobility for many, these concerns need to be addressed.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/06/27/1527127/walk-this-way-if-you-can.html#ixzz0s3lWGZRQ
1 comment:
In the UK where I live, the pedestrian pavements (sidewalks) are mostly great - almost every road has one, they are (mostly) free of obstructions like thornbuses and over-hanging branches etc. However, sometimes you find that pedestrians are rerouted a long way around for the convenience of motorists - there is one place in New Malden (where I live) where they moved the crossing way down the road, and then put a barrier a long way into the pavement which makes it narrow.
As a cyclist, I often find that pedestrians pay no heed to special cycle routes; an example is one cycle crossing in Kingston, which despite being clearly indicated by the green paint on the path and road-like markings, is commonly invaded by pedestrians who have a perfectly good (wider) crossing of their own right next to it. I often fear getting a "whatcha gonna go about it" response when I tell those who use the cycle crossing (and threaten to walk right across my path) that "this is the cycle crossing, yours is that one there".
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