Another Green Monday: Are you a pedestrian?
Everybody is a pedestrian - at some point in your journey, whether walking several miles, a few blocks to the bus stop, or even to a parking space. And there’s a lot of movement afoot- pun intended – to make things better for pedestrians in Spokane. The Vulnerable Users bill, SB 5326, is up for Senate concurrence. The Traffic School Safety Education bill, HB 1129, awaits the Governor's signature, which includes a pedestrian (and bicycle) traffic safety curriculum in certain traffic schools and safety courses. This week is the 13th annual Traffic Awareness and Pedestrian Safety Week in Spokane. Be on the look out for yellow and black signs with the phrases, “Neighbors Drive 25” and “Heed the Speed 30” as drivers are reminded to "slow down, obey speed limits, and become more aware of pedestrians.”
Given this momentum, not to mention current existing plans like a Master Bike Pan, it’s a logical next step the City Of Spokane is putting together a Pedestrian Master Plan.
According to the Planning Department, this will help to increase pedestrian safety and mobility, support a multimodal transportation system, and provide guidance on the best use of resources to implement pedestrian initiatives.
You can review the project materials to learn what the project has accomplished. You can find out how to get involved in upcoming meetings and events. You can also tell planners what you think by sending in your comments and questions.
From their newly launched site: The Pedestrian Plan Update seeks to promote pedestrian safety and access to help ensure that Spokane is a safe, convenient, and attractive place to walk. It will establish a pedestrian network emphasizing safe routes to school and connections to transit. The routes include streets, walkways, and trails that connect schools, libraries, parks, neighborhoods, and commercial areas throughout the City.
It will identify priority street segments along these routes for targeted improvements over the next twenty years. The plan also seeks to identify new pedestrian design elements to promote pedestrian safety and access throughout the City.
There are areas in Spokane where the pedestrian landscape is, simply put, bleak. Pedestrians get hit. Does the plan prevent this from happening? Maybe. But we know there are missing sidewalks and crosswalks – not to mention challenges for seniors and the disabled with a lack of curb ramps for accessibility. Connections are missing.
Check this video on how difficult the pedestrian environment can be. It’s set in Virginia but there are scenes that look familiar in Spokane. It could be anywhere. Pedestrian travel is fundamental. Making it safe to do so is a matter of growing urgency for our health, energy and climate, aging population and livability of our cities.
Interfering with Traffic from Jay Mallin on Vimeo.
