Austin Motel
Sidewalks Are for Walking
RECEIVED Thu., July 29, 2004
Dear Editor,
As an urban pedestrian and cyclist, I heartily endorse Erika Kleinman's exhortation to cyclists to respect pedestrians and refrain from terrorizing them, even accidentally ["Postmarks," July 23]. I'm afraid, though, that cyclists who are rude to pedestrians are just taking their cue from the rest of society.
As Ms. Kleinman points out, the sidewalk is for walking. Trucks (including city trucks) should not be parked on sidewalks, nor should cars, motorcycles, or bulldozers. Street signs (usually saying "road work ahead") should not be stored on sidewalks or in bike lanes. Garbage cans and brush should not block sidewalks. Foliage should be trimmed so as not to block the walkway. Businesses should not block sidewalks for "sidewalk sales." City signs reading "sidewalk closed – use other side" are a cruel joke, as the street is seldom easy to cross and there is seldom a usable walkway on the other side. Motorists should slow down and drive courteously near pedestrians. Motorists should not shout, honk horns, or blast car alarms at pedestrians. Motor vehicles should not park at stop signs.
Where there is no sidewalk, city law and common courtesy mandate that the pedestrian right-of-way not be obstructed by parked cars and trucks, garbage cans, brush, landscaping, and fences. Flowers are nice, but not if one must risk one's life to admire them.
These laws are not enforced, and are routinely broken and stomped upon by motorists, contractors, business owners, and homeowners. Most of these folks are perfectly nice people, as are most rude cyclists. They're just not aware of what they are doing to pedestrians.
If Austin could become aware of how it treats pedestrians, this could become a truly great city.
As an urban pedestrian and cyclist, I heartily endorse Erika Kleinman's exhortation to cyclists to respect pedestrians and refrain from terrorizing them, even accidentally ["Postmarks," July 23]. I'm afraid, though, that cyclists who are rude to pedestrians are just taking their cue from the rest of society.
As Ms. Kleinman points out, the sidewalk is for walking. Trucks (including city trucks) should not be parked on sidewalks, nor should cars, motorcycles, or bulldozers. Street signs (usually saying "road work ahead") should not be stored on sidewalks or in bike lanes. Garbage cans and brush should not block sidewalks. Foliage should be trimmed so as not to block the walkway. Businesses should not block sidewalks for "sidewalk sales." City signs reading "sidewalk closed – use other side" are a cruel joke, as the street is seldom easy to cross and there is seldom a usable walkway on the other side. Motorists should slow down and drive courteously near pedestrians. Motorists should not shout, honk horns, or blast car alarms at pedestrians. Motor vehicles should not park at stop signs.
Where there is no sidewalk, city law and common courtesy mandate that the pedestrian right-of-way not be obstructed by parked cars and trucks, garbage cans, brush, landscaping, and fences. Flowers are nice, but not if one must risk one's life to admire them.
These laws are not enforced, and are routinely broken and stomped upon by motorists, contractors, business owners, and homeowners. Most of these folks are perfectly nice people, as are most rude cyclists. They're just not aware of what they are doing to pedestrians.
If Austin could become aware of how it treats pedestrians, this could become a truly great city.
Yours truly,
Amy Babich
Amy Babich
