Over the last several decades, as more and more traffic crowded our streets, and those streets became busier and wider, people walking or riding bikes took a back seat to motor vehicles.
As traffic increased and streets got wider, it became more and more difficult for pedestrians and bicyclists to use the streets. More crashes occurred and people were injured and killed. Many pedestrians and bicyclists became fearful of crossing busy streets and started waiting until traffic cleared before crossing, a natural reaction when so much is at stake. Unfortunately, motorists took this timidity on the part of ped/bike users to mean that they now owned the road and the ped/bike user just needed to stay out of their way.
This ownership of the roads by motor vehicle users is not the norm, is not justified by historical use of the streets by everyone, and is not in the best interests of society in general. We all need to be able to use the streets safely and effectively. Free use of the streets for all forms of transportation is especially important in this age of energy shortages and need for more “active transportation” i.e. walking and biking for our pocket books and our health.
What we must do
Three things need to happen for us to be able to reclaim our streets:
- Motorist’s idea that they own the streets must change;
- There must be more crosswalks, signals, good sidewalks and friendly streets for people walking and biking to use;
- And pedestrians and bicyclists must learn how to properly use the streets and exercise their rights to use them. This will take time and work, and must be done one step at a time.
You are being asked to learn how to use your streets to get where you want to go safely and effectively. Your participation is vital since as a street user, you have the power to create change. If enough ped/bike users learn to and practice assertive, careful use of our streets, change will happen. Together we can make sure it does.
