Yesterday on my way from A to B, I walked on a street I've known all my life. It's a dead end street, right surrounded by apartment buildings used by so many. When this place was built, cars were maybe 10% of what we have today and there we parking lots as well, but even so, sidewalks have always been occupied bu cars and pedestrians had no choice but to walk on the road, which is so narrow that if a car wants to pass by, you as a pedestrian have to stay on the side of the road, careful to avoid being hit.
A few years ago, the municipality decided to finally make this forgotten part of the city a priority and repair the roads. Everyone was happy to see the sidewalks repaired too and white lines on the road, signaling how far cars can go. I remember how good it felt to walk on the sidewalk when it was finished and cars were not allowed in yet. Everyone thought pedestrians got their space back, but the joy was short lived as as soon the road was open, cars were parked everywhere, just like before.
Imagine disabled people in wheelchairs, parents with prams, kids all walking on the road. If I have my earpieces on, always have to look back and see if cars are coming as I'm never safe in such places. Unfortunately this is not the only street with these walking conditions.
Yesterday I was passing by and saw some workers placing metal barriers on the sidewalk, that are stopping cars to park there. I had to stop and enjoy the moment smiling, to the surprise of the workers. I had to enjoy the long-awaited moment to the fullest. You have no idea how good it felt to see we, pedestrians are getting our rightful property back. Today I passed by again to see what the situation is and it made me smile again. People were walking on the sidewalk, happily.
This should have been done ages ago. It might be an insignificant thing for many, as sure there are bigger problems in the world, but imagine how much easier life would be if those paid by us, would do their job properly and in time as well.
Walking safely on the sidewalk, without being worried of getting hit by a car should be a priority for everyone. We are teaching kids to not walk on the road and what do you tell them when cars are parked everywhere and there's no safe place for them?
This is just one street of so many, 500m long maybe, but if you think about it on a larger scale, you see how many things there are that are just making your life difficult, draining your energy and why? Because some people are either incompetent, unable to do their job, or funds are pocketed.
In some civilized countries (there aren't many in this regard, unfortunately) , trains have timelines listed to the seconds and get respected. Switzerland is leading the way in this regard.
Imagine businessmen dressed in suits traveling by train and working during the ride and not only them, but students and anyone else. Not having to drive every day can save you a lot of energy, not to mention costs, plus you can use your time wisely during the commute. For this to happen, you need comfortable, clean trains with a reliable schedule. They have it.
Imagine how much energy you would save, how much your productivity would grow, if you'd not drain your energy with stupid things like walking on the road and looking back and around constantly, or waiting for the bus or train that are not in time and sometimes crowded, or sitting in a traffic jam for God knows how long and so on. Sure, you can tell me to be grateful for what I have as there are countries in much worse situation and that is true, but where are we going? Forward or backward? Do you want to end up like most of the African countries? Or Cuba? Or Venezuela? Or ... should I continue?
Obviously not everyone is thrilled about giving the sidewalk back to whom it belongs to. Those who's illegal parking lot (the sidewalk) has been taken away are angry now. I understand them too, but pedestrian safety comes first.
To be fair, public transport during weekends is free in my city, we have new, air conditioned busses, that respect the schedule, so I can't really complain in this regard. This initiative comes to incentivize reducing pollution and traffic jams by using public transport, so maybe slowly we're making progress.
If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:
