Name some countries in the world that are pedestrian friendly or pro pedestrian? (neighborhood, law)
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Using these three criterias to measure pedestrian friendliness of a country
-Laws and policies protecting pedestrians and vulnerable road users, i.e liability when motorized road user collides with vulnerable non motorized road users, give right of way, minimum passing distance, etc?
-Urban planning and design policies: are most communities designed to be walkable and safe for walking or traveling beside in a motor vehicle? Are intersections and roads safe to cross, i.e neckdowns, speed humps, ample well marked and lit crossings? Or are neighborhood streets only built to move traffic thru at as high as speed as possible?
-Local driver's attitude towards pedestrians? Do drivers speed up or slow down when they encounter vulnerable road users? Do they give them space? Do they slow down when nearing pedestrian crossings and or when driving thru busy areas that are shared with vulnerable road users? Or do they intimidate non motorized vehicles just trying to safely get across passing them close at high speeds? Do you feel safer walking around or you feel like you are going to be mowed down every-time you step out of a building even on the sidewalk or when the walk light is green?
For example,
I have heard that Switzerland is among the most respectful countries towards vulnerable road users in terms of urban design and driver behavior, where drivers will slow down and be prepared to stop anytime some one is about to cross the street where there is no traffic light. China on the other hand is the exact opposite. While on paper the China road traffic safety law gives pedestrians right of way and assign the liability to drivers should they mow down one in most cases. Though in practice however drivers in China will speed up, honk, and threaten to intimidate what ever vulnerable road user they encounter. Even on the sidewalk one needs to be constantly on their toes as bikes and larger vehicles will bully their way out through.
Last edited by citizensadvocate; 04-10-2018 at 05:01 PM..
China on the other hand is the exact opposite. While on paper the China road traffic safety law gives pedestrians right of way and assign the liability to drivers should they mow down one in most cases. Though in practice however drivers in China will speed up, honk, and threaten to intimidate what ever vulnerable road user they encounter. Even on the sidewalk one needs to be constantly on their toes as bikes and larger vehicles will bully their way out through.
(1) Basically all "developing countries" are like that, from Asia to Africa to Latin America. But your description is a little exaggerated.
(2) Many cities in China started to enforce the traffic law more strictly in recent years. Failing to yield will lead to tickets.
Not sure on a highway code level but Bogota has the longest pedestrian street in the world, the largest open streets scheme in the world and the highest bicycle ridership in the western hemisphere and once a week over 120km of roads are closed off for pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, runners you name it. Cycling is a national obsession.
Rain or shine an average of 2 million people participate every week for an avg of 3 hours in the ciclovia.
Last edited by Pueblofuerte; 04-11-2018 at 11:52 AM..
Amsterdam (Netherlands) is far more bike (than auto) friendly, while Venice (Italy) is almost a pedestrian/boat only environment.
Isn't the real issue here one of logistics and access in a given area, rather than being "pro"-pedestrian?
No. LA could be pedestrian friendly if it wanted to. Amsterdam used to be far less pedestrian (or bike) friendly. The policy changed to accomodate pedestrians or cyclists.
No. LA could be pedestrian friendly if it wanted to. Amsterdam used to be far less pedestrian (or bike) friendly. The policy changed to accomodate pedestrians or cyclists.
Exactly, most has to do with political will, the US more than has the resources.
(1) Basically all "developing countries" are like that, from Asia to Africa to Latin America. But your description is a little exaggerated.
(2) Many cities in China started to enforce the traffic law more strictly in recent years. Failing to yield will lead to tickets.
Interesting you mentioned developing countries. Traffic in those places often are a story of their own. Though attitudes towards pedestrians there can vary quite a bit from place to place In some places traffic may appear chaotic but they move slowly and usually happily allow people to cross in front of them. There is no ego about that Jaywalking thing unlike in developed countries. Though they may not differentiate painted zebra lines on the road. In some of these countries everyone on the road in different modes drive or move like if they are walking or pushing carts in a crowded supermarket giving way to those who move through in front of them.
I see youtube videos of Panama and I am surprised to see that drivers actually stop for pedestrians crossing at "unmarked crosswalks" every intersection without traffic light is technically an unmarked crosswalk.
Things can vary quite a bit within a country as well, for example
I just visited Israel aka "Holy Land" and noticed, by design most cities there are very walkable with sidewalks, traffic calming, and plenty of roundabouts that slow traffic down, but the drivers there however are another story, from what I noticed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and northwards while there are nice drivers who will yield often, one have to keep on their toes at all times there are other drivers who drive similar to drivers in China and will accelerate aggressively and honk rather than slow down whenever they encounter pedestrians. Walking on the sidewalks of Jerusalem and the cobblestones of old Jerusalem can be a hair-rising experience like if one would be mowed down at any given moment, and drivers not just cyclists(both motor or push) do mount the sidewalks often. Crossing streets even with the green walking man lit is daunting. I remember a guided bus tour crossing as a group had to jump out of the way of van who forced his way through, which really reminds me of drivers in Nanjing China. However interestingly south of Jerusalem including the Palestine territories things are very different as 95% of drivers will slow down and allow people to cross in front of them and will not honk or pressure pedestrians out of their way. They patiently let tour groups cross in a group. People walk more laid back and not fear nearly being mowed down.
China has improved a bit but it can still be pretty scary walking outdoors in China due to the driving style. Same with the Holy land which I heard they are also started to crack down on those who refuse to yield to pedestrians but they still have a long way to go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by forgotten username
No. LA could be pedestrian friendly if it wanted to. Amsterdam used to be far less pedestrian (or bike) friendly. The policy changed to accomodate pedestrians or cyclists.
LA used to have street cars until GM lobby tore them apart in favor of buses which made LA pretty walking unfriendly. These days they seem to be paying big bucks to bring back the street car in forms of light rail. Though I really wish they plan a rapid transit medium and high capacity system like in Asia. Another thing is that due to parking rules both on curbsides and parking lots in LA one is forced to drive again and again all day as otherwise you might get ticketed or even towed.
Venice, Italy, not Venice Los Angeles is one true car free city that one would never have to worry about being mowed down by a wheeled vehicle not even a bicycle. Many people say that Venice is just the opposite of Los Angeles. Interestingly I watch video of a pedestrian's life in Italy, it appears Italian cities are pretty walkable and while the traffic seems crazy with all those cars and Vespas they seem to all stop to allow the people to cross uninterrupted. This was pretty impressive behavior to see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS8YyDp47pc
I will like to thank the previous posters on posting the Bogota as well.
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