#streetoftheday This is a little amazing. Rouen, Normandy, France. http://t.co/5JmGH1gIuV

 

Ever seen Eguisheim?  Doesn't get much cuter or more walkable than that. 

Ever seen Eguisheim?  Doesn't get much cuter or more walkable than that. 

 

Love it!

 

An hour ago at the 315/Lane Avenue Underpass in Columbus, people walking to the OSU Spring Game. Right before this there was a guy struggling to push a baby stroller through this narrow dirt-curb, but I failed to get him in the picture. The lack of sidewalks in many "urban" parts of Columbus is staggering.

New report ranks accessibility to jobs by walking in top U.S. cities

 

http://transportationist.org/2015/05/29/new-access-across-america-report-ranks-accessibility-to-jobs-by-walking-in-top-u-s-cities/

What if we labeled unwalkable neighborhoods like we do cigarettes? http://t.co/NGLycunsep http://t.co/xzTzNx5XeO via @t4america #toTheFuture

Adding residential to office/industrial parks:

 

Property deal of the week: Where everyone walks to work http://t.co/4oeFYj9cfL via @WSJ

Adding residential to office/industrial parks:

 

Property deal of the week: Where everyone walks to work http://t.co/4oeFYj9cfL via @WSJ

 

More Crocker Park than Midtown....

This could have gone in a police corruption thread but, sadly, police tend to only cite drivers for hitting and injuring/killing pedestrians and cyclists. So I guess the lesson is that if you want to bump someone off, "accidentally" hit your enemy with your car while he/she crosses the street. Until motorists are held accountable for their actions, pedestrians and cyclists will never be treated safely or equally as motorists on America's streets...

 

Utah father concerned after driver who hit, killed his daughter in crosswalk is given a citation

http://www.sltrib.com/news/3394616-155/utah-father-concerned-after-driver-who

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/01/el-paso-urban-walkable-americans/431661/

 

Apparently, El Paso made some headway in urbanization but is now reversing course a bit.  Sprawl strikes back!

Why does no one walk in most of America? Because apparently it's ILLEGAL!

 

Streetsblog Network ‏@StreetsblogNet  2h2 hours ago

South Carolina mom arrested for letting son walk a quarter mile to McDonalds. @splcenter: classic eg of overpolicing

http://www.wyff4.com/news/young-boys-allowed-to-walk-quartermile-to-mcdonalds-woman-charged/38859022

It's safer than driving: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/04/absurd-primacy-of-the-car-in-american-life/476346/?utm_source=SFTwitter

A town where every child can walk to school

http://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2016/9/20/a-town-where-every-child-can-walk-to-school

 

Yay Lakewood! I live here because of its walkability and transit access, created by a private consortium of a street railway, an electric utilty and real estate companies when it was built as a streetcar suburb 80-130 years ago.

A town where every child can walk to school

http://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2016/9/20/a-town-where-every-child-can-walk-to-school

 

Yay Lakewood! I live here because of its walkability and transit access, created by a private consortium of a street railway, an electric utilty and real estate companies when it was built as a streetcar suburb 80-130 years ago.

 

I've heard that they considered adding school buses during the very early 70s, but were concerned that might make them more vulnerable to be added to Reed vs. Rhodes.  By the time Milliken came down in 1974, banning cross-district busing, the idea had been tabled.

The town I recently moved to, Groveport, doesn't bus kids if they live less than 2 miles from their school. It started out as a budget thing, but the town eventually got used to it. BMX bikes everywhere.

The town I recently moved to, Groveport, doesn't bus kids if they live less than 2 miles from their school. It started out as a budget thing, but the town eventually got used to it. BMX bikes everywhere.

 

I think that is the Nordonia district's policy as well.

 

Maple Heights consolidated all their schools by grade, so most of the youngest kids need to be bused.

The Future of Retirement Communities: Walkable and Urban

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/10/15/business/the-future-of-retirement-communities-walkable-and-urban.html

Often, motorists come close to running me down while I legally use a crosswalk in front of them. Others yell or beep their horns at me. Hey mobillies -- the Ohio Revised Code (not the law of the bully) says I have the right of way. If you want to push it, then one of us is going to prison and the is going to the hospital/morgue. Either way, I'm crazy enough to risk a sound sleep to you behind bars where you belong. Remember that there are people like me who are crazy enough to prove a point like this. Just be thankful I don't carry a gun.

 

Florida woman hits pedestrian who was 'in the way'

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/florida-woman-hits-pedestrian-who-was-the-way/cBKbhFlKGwc93IoSPXSYHJ/

Often, motorists come close to running me down while I legally use a crosswalk in front of them. Others yell or beep their horns at me. Hey mobillies -- the Ohio Revised Code (not the law of the bully) says I have the right of way. If you want to push it, then one of us is going to prison and the is going to the hospital/morgue. Either way, I'm crazy enough to risk a sound sleep to you behind bars where you belong. Remember that there are people like me who are crazy enough to prove a point like this. Just be thankful I don't carry a gun.

 

Florida woman hits pedestrian who was 'in the way'

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/florida-woman-hits-pedestrian-who-was-the-way/cBKbhFlKGwc93IoSPXSYHJ/

 

This is horrible.  Who would do such a thing? 

 

Conversely, it drives me nuts when some people capable of moving much faster take their good ole time crossing at a crosswalk.  It's legal but you should still be courteous to drivers by walking at a normal pace, not "sauntering" across a roadway. 

 

Conversely, it drives me nuts when some people capable of moving much faster take their good ole time crossing at a crosswalk.  It's legal but you should still be courteous to drivers by walking at a normal pace, not "sauntering" across a roadway. 

 

I always walk at a brisk pace, and yet many times motorists making turns try to drive between me and the curb, or me and cars waiting at the light, leaving only a foot or less between me and their car. One time a motorist passed so close to me that I punched his side window and he slammed on the brakes, starting a profanity laden shouting match in the middle of West 117th Street.

 

Conversely, it drives me nuts when some people capable of moving much faster take their good ole time crossing at a crosswalk.  It's legal but you should still be courteous to drivers by walking at a normal pace, not "sauntering" across a roadway. 

 

I always walk at a brisk pace, and yet many times motorists making turns try to drive between me and the curb, or me and cars waiting at the light, leaving only a foot or less between me and their car. One time a motorist passed so close to me that I punched his side window and he slammed on the brakes, starting a profanity laden shouting match in the middle of West 117th Street.

 

I've done the same...(while walking, not driving!)

Why just building transit isn't enough: the way the city is designed will determine whether it is a real choice. First we shape our streets, then the streets shape us....

 

Pedestrians: "Remove your headphones and leave your phone alone while crossing the road." - @icbc. Motorists, carry on. #SafetyTheatre

 

‘Being a tad distracted is the very essence of walking. You walk around and notice people, sights, sounds, and get "distracted" by the world. I don't want to live in a world of "focused" pedestrians.’ https://t.co/TL0eC8AkAC

‘Being a tad distracted is the very essence of walking. You walk around and notice people, sights, sounds, and get "distracted" by the world. I don't want to live in a world of "focused" pedestrians.’ https://t.co/TL0eC8AkAC

 

On the sidewalk, perhaps.  Not crossing or wandering into the street.

A crosswalk is an extension of the sidewalk.

A crosswalk is an extension of the sidewalk.

 

Unless it is a controlled (traffic light) intersection and the light is red.

People walking don't pose the serious threat though. If someone is walking and bumps into another person, no real harm done, they just apologize. Same can't be said for an altercation with a pedestrian and an Autobot.  The choice to use a car is what increases the likely hood of injury in this situation. Our society is out of whack.

People walking don't pose the serious threat though. If someone is walking and bumps into another person, no real harm done, they just apologize. Same can't be said for an altercation with a pedestrian and an Autobot.  The choice to use a car is what increases the likely hood of injury in this situation. Our society is out of whack.

 

I really don't see how we could have a society as large as ours with our degree of individual liberty without private long range transportation.  So people are going to use cars. 

 

Besides, I can attest that person to person collisions can indeed blow up into more. 

my only wish is that they pass a law like this in NYC. Although it doesn't go far enough and extend to sidewalks >:( (and only a fine? This should require jail time, or at least a day in stocks)

 

Reading This While Walking? In Honolulu, It Could Cost You

By TANYA MOHN

OCT. 23, 2017

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/business/honolulu-walking-and-texting-fine.html

 

"You see them everywhere: people walking with their eyes glued to their mobile phone screens on busy streets. But walking and texting can be dangerous — and cities in the United States and Europe have begun to do something about it.

 

Honolulu has passed a law, which will take effect Wednesday, that allows the police to fine pedestrians up to $35 for viewing their electronic devices while crossing streets in the city and surrounding county. Honolulu is thought to be the first major city to enact such a ban."

 

my only wish is that they pass a law like this in NYC. Although it doesn't go far enough and extend to sidewalks >:( (and only a fine? This should require jail time, or at least a day in stocks)

 

 

Why? Because America, which already leads the OEDC countries in imprisoned people, could always use more....

 

If someone is walking in a marked crosswalk, a motorist must yield to them. Period.

People walking don't pose the serious threat though. If someone is walking and bumps into another person, no real harm done, they just apologize. Same can't be said for an altercation with a pedestrian and an Autobot.  The choice to use a car is what increases the likely hood of injury in this situation. Our society is out of whack.

 

I really don't see how we could have a society as large as ours with our degree of individual liberty without private long range transportation.  So people are going to use cars. 

 

Besides, I can attest that person to person collisions can indeed blow up into more. 

 

P.J. O'Roruke had a short column in this month's Car & Driver lamenting how driving isn't freedom anymore due to too much volume on almost all roads near anywhere remotely close to any population center and that you could even tell it during the O.J. chase over 23 years ago. This volume was indeed caused partially by population increase, but mostly by sprawl.

Yep, the rate of growth of vehicle-miles traveled has far outpaced the population growth rate for many decades.

People walking don't pose the serious threat though. If someone is walking and bumps into another person, no real harm done, they just apologize. Same can't be said for an altercation with a pedestrian and an Autobot.  The choice to use a car is what increases the likely hood of injury in this situation. Our society is out of whack.

 

I really don't see how we could have a society as large as ours with our degree of individual liberty without private long range transportation.  So people are going to use cars. 

 

Besides, I can attest that person to person collisions can indeed blow up into more. 

 

I won’t disagree with your statement, but I also think it’s not too much to ask for people using vehicles to alter their behavior when they leave the "car exclusive", highways and expressways and enter an area that people exist.  Putting the blame on walkers for their injuries or death by getting hit by a vehicle sets a precedent. I think it gives confirmation to the autos that they have reign over this land and theses pedestrians will be taken care of with fines, criminal designation and pushed back out of the way for the vehicles.

 

I have been in other societies around the world where there are no walk signals and/or no traffic lights at all. Through my North American lenses I think how the hell does this even work, some of these roads are three lanes, both directions. How do people get across the road? By example I learned… you just walk and the vehicles stop. I thought, surly the people in the cars are irate, cursing at the people walking out in front of them, getting in their way. Then when you have the chance to be on the other side of the glass and steel, you realize they could care less about stopping, it is just a normal process of driving for them. 

 

I think this works for these people because everyone is a walker at some point during the day in these places. They are constantly reminded what it’s like. On the other hand I think we live in a society where people are not exposed to real walking (walking through the parking lot to the store entrance or taking the dog for lap around the cud sac doesn’t count) on a regular basis. I think these new laws we are seeing represent this point exactly. 

 

*For clarification, i'm not advocating getting rid of traffic/pedestrian signalling here! 

 

 

Oh yes, these days making the average American hit their brakes is some kind of insult.

Oh yes, these days making the average American hit their brakes is some kind of insult.

 

And if a pedestrian is in their way, they have every right to run them over considering the vehicle is bigger than a person. It's the bully mentality that's taken over America.

 

BTW, my Ukrainian wife is stunned that the term "pedestrian" even exists. "They're people," she says in a brilliant expression of clarity and humanity often missing in the discussion about people walking.

Even on the most "walkable" streets in Ohio, I do not make use of unmarked crosswalks (every corner technically has a crosswalk unless otherwise marked), unless the street is 100% clear of vehicular traffic. It's just not worth having someone want to get into a fistfight with you, or worse get hit because the motorist is being criminally negligent. Call me crazy, but it seems like something is deeply wrong with the culture when we're operating on this might-makes-right, extralegal rule which is contrary to the written law.

My wife moved to Cleveland to be with me and she is amazed at how many people in Cleveland don't use crosswalks and will run (often with their children) through a busy street just to avoid walking 150' to a crosswalk.....

My wife moved to Cleveland to be with me and she is amazed at how many people in Cleveland don't use crosswalks and will run (often with their children) through a busy street just to avoid walking 150' to a crosswalk.....

 

Speculating a bit here, but if motorists yielded to people walking when they were supposed to (e.g. crossing at an intersection), it would be more convenient to cross legally and there would be less incentive to run across busy lanes of traffic. As things are, even at marked crosswalks it seems like motorists only stop when there is a traffic light.

 

Most of the "jaywalking" I see in my neighborhood is actually motorists parking, then jaywalking to get to the restaurant or house or whatever they were driving to.

Sometimes it feels safer to cross mid-block.  Walk signals often tell pedestrians to go at the same time they tell vehicles to turn through the crosswalk, and sometimes they just aren't looking.  This is only a problem at intersections; mid-block traffic is more predictable due to fewer variables. 

 

On the other hand we have intersections with left turn arrows, where there's no walk signal until the full green, but pedestrians consistently choose to jaywalk at the worst possible time.

The problem with North America is it's a complete "us versus them" mentality on both sides. Drivers vs. Bikers vs. Pedestrians/Pedestrian vs. Bikers vs. Drivers. Most other countries have a constructive attitude towards this and all parties respect traffic laws for the most part.

 

I also wouldn't lump bikers and walkers together. Here in the DC area bikers are extremely aggressive towards pedestrians, particularly the lycra wearing types that don't want any child or elderly person on a paved path. It's Tour de France 24/7 on any paved surface. Much like it's the Indy 500 on city streets with most Ohio drivers.

 

 

Another reminder that it's all on motorists to give way to people walking. Blaming pedestrians has to stop. Motorists must stop for all pedestrians in all crosswalks, regardless of what the traffic signal says or what pedestrians are doing.....

 

Pedestrian hit moments after receiving safety reflector from police

https://www.bclocalnews.com/news/pedestrian-hit-moments-after-receiving-safety-reflector-from-police/

RIP, "Pedestrian Pete," an 81-year-old former city councilman who filmed himself walking around Houston being (rightfully) p!ssed off about how dangerous it was/is. http://urbanedge.blogs.rice.edu/2017/12/13/remembering-pedestrian-pete/#.WjEwVyOZN-U

"Pedtextrians," "distracted walking," these are not good faith efforts to protect vulnerable people who are losing their lives.

 

It is simply a rhetorical device used to defect blame for their deaths.

https://t.co/C2mIOcFNea

"Dear motorist, when you see the green light at the traffic lights, it is only to go straight; to turn the pedestrian has the right of way. When there is no traffic light, the pedestrian always has the right of way."

 

"IT'S NOT THAT HARD."

This why crosswalks, pedestrian crossing signs, and yellow flashing lights aren't enough. https://t.co/PNyV8stejx

This is such a great idea -- this is needed at many places in downtown Cleveland, especially on East 9th Street where pedestrians/bikes/scooters keep getting hit and fatalities have occurred....

 

[/member]WalkBoston

Cambridge is continuing to add raised crosswalks at side streets along Mass Ave to prioritize people walking and slow the speeds of turning drivers. Bonus: no giant puddle/frozen slush in curb cuts at this corner next winter - Great job! – at MBTA Bus Stop (Mass Ave [/member] Pearl St)

 

@GChristCLE

 

What it's like being a pedestrian in Cleveland.

 

Pedestrian deaths are almost 50 percent higher than they were 10 years ago. This is a public health crisis. https://t.co/WHRIoocWVR