Walking is a great way of encouraging people to be more active and maintain a physically active lifestyle—nonetheless, the decision to walk lies on each individual. Making the community more pedestrian-friendly by improving and connecting the routes and destinations within may help encourage more people to use pedestrian walks.
In addition, having transportation and travel policies creating and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle networks may also encourage active transportation, like walking or biking. Robert J. DeBry & Associates encourages communities to become pedestrian-friendly as they are safer, accessible, less stressful, and more lively.
Create Safe Side-Walks
Safe sidewalks include designated walking spaces, so that community members do not share space with cars and other road obstacles. According to Robert J. DeBry & Associates car accident attorney, safe sidewalks significantly reduce incidences of pedestrians colliding, obtaining injuries, and even death in residential areas or along two-lane roadways. Moreover, it is essential to ensure that pedestrian walks are disability-friendly.
Proper Street lighting
Proper street lighting improves riders’ and drivers' safety and is essential for senior citizens. A well-lit neighborhood records a less or no crime rate than darker streets. Any car accident attorney will also recommend the street lamps' spacing, brightness, and style. Thus, considering this will influence a community's safety and determine whether more people will consider using the pedestrian walk.
Landscaping along Side-walks
Clear and neat sidewalks encourage safety and make the community more pedestrian-friendly. Organizing neighborhood clean-up days may go a long way in keeping the community safe. Moreover, landscaping may be done by trimming hedges or trees blocking sidewalks and obscuring a pedestrian's view at the crosswalk.
Creating more pedestrian-friendly communities go beyond the design of a single sidewalk. It involves transportation planning, architecture, urban design, and engineering to create a safe and equitable environment. For more information on making the community more pedestrian-friendly or needing a car accident attorney, contact Robert J. DeBry & Associates.