I’m sure it will come as no surprise to learn that Houston is not a good city for pedestrians, at least from a safety perspective.
Houston ranked eighth on a new list of the most dangerous urban areas for pedestrians.
And the hundreds of deaths and injuries to pedestrians can’t all be written off as mere accidents, according to a report released Monday by two advocacy groups. Poor roadway design and lack of safety features like sidewalks and medians contribute to the death rate.
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The statistics are startling. Almost 5,000 pedestrians die in the U.S. after being hit by cars every year, according to the report by Transportation for America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, two nonprofit, national coalitions that promote more efficient and equitable transportation policies.
All of the Top 10 dangerous cities for pedestrians are in the South, where new growth after World War II created development patterns that favor cars over pedestrians.
You can see the study here (PDF). I find myself in agreement with, and sharing the frustration of, Robin Holzer at the county’s attitude that they only build roads, not sidewalks. Seems to me they’re doing the residents out there a disservice, not to mention jeopardizing their health. But I suppose nothing will change until voters demand it. Swamplot has more.
I love to walk. I’ve gotten very good at shooting the bird. Particularly at drivers who believe I have to wait for them to turn before I can cross the street with the green light. A bubba in his F-150 did that one day downtown. And saw the flashing lights in his rear view mirror after he turned and nearly ran me over.
I love to walk in Montrose. Sue Lovell among others apparently never walks. In Montrose or anywhere else. I am forever amazed by the number of missing sidewalks. Obviously the homeowner found the easiest solution to the cracked sidewalk was to remove it and plant a garden. I am forever angered at the people who park their cars in the driveways of their townhouses and block the sidewalks. And the lack of enforcement of the law by HPD in the matter. Which apparently feels it’s easier to tell the person who complains to walk around the car than to go stick a ticket under windshield wiper. That is one of the reasons I didn’t vote for Sue Lovell.
That and the fact her office doesn’t return phone calls either.
Some poles vs pedestrians pics in SuperNeighborhood 22 posted in my albums.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2031304&id=1328957937&ref=mf