Walking in street instead of sidewalk? Just curious (San Antonio, Anton: live in, fence)

[Not-A-Sheep]

I too wonder some of the same things. I live in a Houston suburb where, for the most part, the neighborhoods have nice sidewalks. I have asked people why they choose to walk in the street. One response I received is that there are cracks in the sidewalks, they are uneven, and it is dangerous. I responded to this rationale, "So walking in the street with the cars, trucks, and SUVs is safer?!" This response illicited a follow-up comment, "Have you ever tried walking on the sidewalks?" I responded, "Yes, I have and I have trained for marathons and ultramarathons on the sidewalks." One day I was driving down one of the main streets in my subdivsion and had to come to a complete stop because a couple was walking directly towards my car in the middle of the street with a baby stroller. What is really disconcerting is that the people had this sort of glazed zombie look in their eyes and stared at me as if I was doing something wrong. I failed to mention that there was a car parked on the opposite side of the street so there was nowhere for me to go. I have come to the sad conclusion that we are living in a time when most people are no longer courteous or considerate of others. People just decide that if they want to walk in the streets rather than on ths sidewalks, to heck with everyone else. They are just going to do whatever they want to do. It is a sign of the times.

[miche111e]

I have done both. We just got back from a walk -- we also have intermittent sidewalks in my neighborhood. There will be a sidewalk but only if a house has been built behind that spot. So on undeveloped lots, there is NO sidewalk. Why would the builders do it this way?

The other times I have done this is if I am 1) walking with a friend and we both can't fit side by side on the sidewalk, and 2) in neighborhoods where the trucks parked in the driveway stick back across the sidewalk.

Otherwise, I like sidewalks.

[Pontifikate]

Originally Posted by Not-A-Sheep

I too wonder some of the same things. I live in a Houston suburb where, for the most part, the neighborhoods have nice sidewalks. I have asked people why they choose to walk in the street. One response I received is that there are cracks in the sidewalks, they are uneven, and it is dangerous. I responded to this rationale, "So walking in the street with the cars, trucks, and SUVs is safer?!" This response illicited a follow-up comment, "Have you ever tried walking on the sidewalks?" I responded, "Yes, I have and I have trained for marathons and ultramarathons on the sidewalks." One day I was driving down one of the main streets in my subdivsion and had to come to a complete stop because a couple was walking directly towards my car in the middle of the street with a baby stroller. What is really disconcerting is that the people had this sort of glazed zombie look in their eyes and stared at me as if I was doing something wrong. I failed to mention that there was a car parked on the opposite side of the street so there was nowhere for me to go. I have come to the sad conclusion that we are living in a time when most people are no longer courteous or considerate of others. People just decide that if they want to walk in the streets rather than on ths sidewalks, to heck with everyone else. They are just going to do whatever they want to do. It is a sign of the times.

Remember it's 10 points for the couple and 25 for a stroller.

[Kerowyn]

Dogs off leashes.... BIG no-NO! hate it but I think laziness is part the culpret. Don't want to clean up the back yard, plus some owners think back yard to small for Fido to run in. Go figure. Had one family said the kids play in the back yard.... I asked WHEN? they are always in the street!
anyways. San Antonio was an eye opener when we first came here 26+ years ago. Kids play in the street - without moving when a car comes. Dogs let to run out and about. Walking not just in the street to the side ( which I understand fully about the crappy sidewalks) but in the middle of it! toddlers, trikes, go-carts, micromini motorcycles, ATVs racing up and down the street over the years. Heaven forbid if you say anything parents will say you are in the wrong for driving up the street to get to your house. Saying you are driving to fast when the speed limit is 30 and you are just going 20.
Self entitlement is part of the problem. Neighbor has a sign out in his yard. "watch for children at play" I am so temped to put a note on it saying "Keep you kids from playing around (running in and out of) the parked trucks you keep in the street and you won't have no problems"
To help with some of the side walk problems keep in touch with housing association if you have one if not code complience is getting much better about complaints. Overgrown bushes and obsticals on sidewalks are a no-no.

[ladihawkae]

I use sidewalks now and then but much of the time, i'll walk in the streets. I do this basically because it'd been drummed into me that if you walk on the sidewalks, you can't always see too far in front of you. cars backing out of the driveway, or jack the ripper hiding behind a bush/tree. was always encouraged to walk down the street to better observe movements.
It depended on the neighborhoods of course and some places are safer than others, but habits are hard to break

[Topaz]

I, too, live in a Houston suburb and I've been amazed at the foolishness of people walking or riding their bikes in the street at night when they are wearing dark clothing with NO reflective accessories. I am especially annoyed when parents have children on their bikes with them or the parents are pushing a stroller in the dark. They are gambling with their children's lives. It is hard to believe that they consider sidewalks more dangerous than mingling with traffic!

[scooter3418]

In our neighborhood the sidewalk use is hit/miss. When I go walking with our dogs it seems like I am the only one on the sidewalk, everyone else is in the road, which I still find very odd. Our is too narrow that when my husband and I walk the dogs together we cant walk next to each other but we just have one in front and still use the sidewalks. The sidewalks are nice, as it is a fairly new neighborhood and although there are 3-4 lots with no sidewalks as the houses arent built yet or it is a powerline easement it doesnt take much to step on the corner of the road for 20 seconds then back on the sidewalk, even with the dogs.

We seem to have a big problem with people leaving unleashed dogs in their front yard. One house around the corner from mine has a very little dog that is almost always just loose in the front yard. The real problem is this house sits on a blind corner for the road and more than once I have come around the corner, even going really slowly as I know its a problem, and still nearly hit the dog. I am surprised that it hasnt been hit seeing the speeds some people take that corner. They just sit in their garage and do nothing.

Another random Texas question - this is the only place I have ever seen people set up lawn chairs, coolers, and tables in the garage, have the door open and just hang out for hours staring at the streets. I understand not everyone has a front porch, but every house in our neighborhood has at least a back porch, why are they all hanging out in their garages? It seems incredibly odd to me.

[chipsndip]

Our neighborhood has sidewalks, but has large brick mailboxes built right in the middle of the sidewalk. Some of them are large enough that my kids can't fit by -- much less a stroller or wheelchair. Crazy!

As for the garage -- a garage is a man's castle... Have you ever seen King of the Hill? It's the same concept. If it's hot or raining, the garage provides shade and shelter (even more than a porch would usually). And a back porch might work for some, but if the point is to socialize with neighbors, the back porch doesn't facilitate that.

[jwebtx]

I almost never run/walk on a concrete sidewalks. They are one of the worst surfaces for impact exercise. Asphalt has some give and concrete does not. As such, concrete has been proven to promote injury and long term joint problems.

Ill take my chances running against traffic (even in pedestrian hostile SA).

[miche111e]

Originally Posted by Kerowyn

Saying you are driving to fast when the speed limit is 30 and you are just going 20.
Self entitlement is part of the problem. Neighbor has a sign out in his yard. "watch for children at play" I am so temped to put a note on it saying "Keep you kids from playing around (running in and out of) the parked trucks you keep in the street and you won't have no problems"

I don't let my children play in the street, but it only takes one time for a child to run in the street after a ball while a too-fast driver turns the corner. I am sure you are a responsible driver, but you would not believe some of the idiots who speed in neighborhoods. My kids getting hit by a car is a HUGE fear of mine (hence why I don't let them play in the street).
Please keep that in mind the next time you roll your eyes at a "watch for kids" sign (an no, I don't own one). It may be a inconvenience for you to slow down/look around for kids, but you can never get back a life lost.