Let’s Talk About Sidewalks

Photo by Russ Ward on Unsplash

When I broke my hand earlier this year I had to do physical therapy twice a week. This involved walking through the nearby neighborhood. We don’t own a car by choice (we’d rather spend the money on other stuff and rent one as needed).

It’s a quiet neighborhood which features at least 14 Sears homes. It’s described by Trulia as “very walkable.”

Which it is, until the sidewalk goes away. Thankfully, it’s a quiet neighborhood, and there was a route which had sidewalks.

But then suddenly there’s a block with no sidewalk and you have to walk in the street or go around another way.

In a “very walkable” neighborhood.

Sidewalks Are About Equity

Here are two phrases. “Sidewalk connectivity” (which has nothing to do with Amazon Sidewalk which, by the way, you should opt out of stat if you haven’t already) and “pedestrian connection.”

The question being asked is a simple one.

Can you get from point A to point B safely on foot?

Pedestrian connection is a broader term that includes things like bridges and underpasses, stairways between two streets, etc.

And this is about equity because not everyone can drive. Not everyone can afford a car.