Monte Vista street pedestrians... (Van: neighborhoods, subdivision, live)

[manthechange]

There's a strange phenomenon that I've noticed in the Monte Vista neighborhood: people who are adverse to using sidewalks.

I've lived in this neighborhood for about two years, and for the life of me I can't understand why people REFUSE to use the sidewalks. They just walk on the side of the road. The funny thing is, it seems to be the majority of people who do this. I would estimate 75% of pedestrians in the neighborhood walk on the road.

My sneaking suspicion is that these people think that the sidewalk is part of someone's property (wouldn't want to step on someone else's grass in Texas) and thus, feel that the road is the only public space to walk on.

Anybody got the inside scoop on this phenomenon?

[NeedCoffee]

I don't know if this answers you question about Monte Vista, but When I'm walking my dog in my subdivision (North side inside 1604), I often walk on the street for the following reasons:

a) Sidewalks tend to be discontinuous and there's often a mailbox in the middle of it.
b) It's not quite wide enough for my dog to walk next to me without one of us walking in the grass. She's a large-ish dog (70lbs).
c) Once you get off of the main roads there's not much traffic, so I prefer have a more continous walk rather than avoid obstacles. I know....kind of a lame excuse....

With that said, I do try to stay on the sidewalk whenever I'm on the main roads for my safety.

[Montirob]

I think someone brought this up before, but it's probably because (in older neighborhoods) the sidewalks have become uneven over time, whereas the street is smooth. Plus... asphalt is easier on the body.

[thesleepyshape]

It makes it doubly difficult for bicyclists trying to hug the lane exteriors in monte vista- never know when someone is going to gun around you. I can understand wanting to avoid the obstacle of a sidewalk upheaval in unkept neighborhoods, but Hardberger's own?

[sapphire]

I don't think it's a Monte Vista phenomenon, necessarily. People in my poor NW neighborhood are averse to using the sidewalks, too. Mostly due to the mailboxes that are plunked in the middle of them, but also like someone else said, the road is smoother.

Hey, at least we're walking!

[Turtle_Mom]

Wow you'd think we were being invaded by aliens with all the phenomena around town

I don't walk on sidewalks that are rough and also if cars extend past the driveway into the sidewalk, I will have to just go on the street to go around. If you have to go around more than a few times - you might as well stay on the street.

[manthechange]

lame excuses...get back on the sidewalks.

[NeedCoffee]

Why?

I like to think of myself as an open-minded person. If you can give me valid logical reasons that outweigh the minor issues I mentioned above, perhaps you can convert me (or others).

[manthechange]

Originally Posted by NeedCoffee

Why?

I like to think of myself as an open-minded person. If you can give me valid logical reasons that outweigh the minor issues I mentioned above, perhaps you can convert me (or others).

Sure - roads are for vehicles (Vans, Trucks, Cars, Motorcycles, Bicycles) sidewalks are for pedestrians. I believe that is the way every city planner in the history of city planning intended it to be. For your own safety, and for the safety of others, please use sidewalks.

[carlitasway]

Originally Posted by Turtle_Mom

Wow you'd think we were being invaded by aliens with all the phenomena around town

I don't walk on sidewalks that are rough and also if cars extend past the driveway into the sidewalk, I will have to just go on the street to go around. If you have to go around more than a few times - you might as well stay on the street.

I'm an alien! (*smack* ahhhhh)