As daylight hours get shorter, a letter from a friend of the WWBPA couldn’t be more timely.She writes:
“I have been taking my husband to the station and picking him up five days a week for many years.? We travel down Alexander Road to Scott Avenue, making a right on Wallace, then a left into the station driveway.? I am on Scott Avenue four times per day.? In recent years, it has become a challenge to weave around the pedestrians who prefer to walk in the street rather than use the sidewalk.
We believe the traffic — cars AND walkers/bicyclists –?has increased significantly in recent years and, despite the pedestrian improvements such as painted walkways, the risk of a vehicle/pedestrian and/or bike?accident is growing.
Please USE THE SIDEWALK on Scott Avenue — rather than walking (or?running) on the paved street — and USE THE NEW?CROSSWALKS instead of jay-walking diagonally?across the streets to and from the station.
Follow common-sense rules of road-sharing and safety, such as “stop and look both ways before crossing” and “don’t assume the motorist sees you.” And don‘t wear all dark clothing when riding a bike at night.”
And a message from the WWBPA: One way to be more visible is to wear a reflective vest. The WWBPA sells them for just $10. Come see us at the farmers’ market.
Why might walkers on Scott Avenue prefer to walk in the road rather than on the sidewalk? Please comment with your views.
Tags: night visibility
Often sidewalks are too narrow for two people to walk side-by-side and I will often see people using the street in these cases. But there are many who walk alone in the street with a perfectly good sidewalk only a few feet to their side. These people I just can’t understand.
It’s not just Scott Av where pedestrians prefer to use the street instead of the sidewalk. Many times I will see adults walking in the street when a very good sidewalk is available just a few feet away – on the other side of the curb. I’ve often wondered why. I’ve even asked industry professionals if they knew – or if a study has ever been done. (I’ve also been very tempted to stop and ask the individual directly – but was afraid I’d come across too confrontational.) The only thing I’ve been able to surmise is: There is a perception that: “Sidewalks are for children.” If you learn anything more concrete I would appreciate hearing about it.