Ask HN: Alternatives to Sidewalks?

1 pointshonksillet3y ago1 comments

Hello. I live in a midsized city in the US that, for the most part, lacks sidewalks. As a results, the walkability of the city is poor. The reflexive response is, “just build more sidewalks”. But this can be expensive and I would think might interfere with utilities (ie water to residences, sewage line from residence, etc). Does anyone know of examples or alternative schemes for making streets more walkable that have actually been put into place?

1 comments

dougmwne3y ago

Sure, you could close the streets to traffic. It is unsafe for pedestrians and motor vehicles to share a road. The pedestrians are soft and squishy and are inevitably the loser in any conflict.

Even poor countries can manage to build sidewalks and bike paths. Not having them is a choice to favor the motored over the unmotored.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Ask HN: Alternatives to Sidewalks?

1 pointshonksillet3y ago1 comments

1 comments

dougmwne3y ago

Sure, you could close the streets to traffic. It is unsafe for pedestrians and motor vehicles to share a road. The pedestrians are soft and squishy and are inevitably the loser in any conflict.

Even poor countries can manage to build sidewalks and bike paths. Not having them is a choice to favor the motored over the unmotored.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse