Talk of the Nation - Pedestrian Rights
06-13-01, 07:58 AM
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Talk of the Nation - Pedestrian Rights
National Public Radio's show Talk of the Nation will address the issue of pedestrian rights today. Should be interesting.
06-13-01, 09:02 AM
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It's already interesting. Since most motorists are also pedestrians, and not "geeky cyclists," pedestrian rights will get more attention and sympathy than cyclist rights ever could.
Then again, I am being too negative and complaining.
But it will be interesting to see how they paint both sides of that picture. Will it be suggested that pedestrians are their own worst enemies, and that they should learn to follow the rules?
Or will the truth about rampant speeding and flaunting of traffic rules by motorists be given the attention it is due (or, overdue?)
Then again, I am being too negative and complaining.
But it will be interesting to see how they paint both sides of that picture. Will it be suggested that pedestrians are their own worst enemies, and that they should learn to follow the rules?
Or will the truth about rampant speeding and flaunting of traffic rules by motorists be given the attention it is due (or, overdue?)
06-13-01, 11:05 AM
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As I've said elsewhere, I view pedestrians as my number one danger when I cycle. Their lack of attention to surroundings makes the average motorist look as vigilant as a seasoned Secret Service agent.
However, I'm also a pedestrian in my spare time, having no car, and when I walk I try to be as much on the lookout as when I cycle. Today a man--I think it was a man, though it resembled a pig--driving a red pickup truck (warning sign right there) tried his best to run me down as I was walking across a street. He was making a left turn, and lurched at me twice, and glared hatred at me as he continued on his way.
If there'd been a cop nearby I would have tried to point this out to him, but I guess it wasn't close enough to the convenience store....
However, I'm also a pedestrian in my spare time, having no car, and when I walk I try to be as much on the lookout as when I cycle. Today a man--I think it was a man, though it resembled a pig--driving a red pickup truck (warning sign right there) tried his best to run me down as I was walking across a street. He was making a left turn, and lurched at me twice, and glared hatred at me as he continued on his way.
If there'd been a cop nearby I would have tried to point this out to him, but I guess it wasn't close enough to the convenience store....
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06-13-01, 01:56 PM
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Good program :thumbup:
They had Bill Wilkinson Executive Director, National Center for Bicycling and Walking plus others.
Also had Bike and Pedestrian manager for Seattle
Discussions roamed over the place including pedestrians being alert to their surroundings, lack of law enforcement, overlooking non-car needs in planning, design and maintenance of roads and sidewalks. Also touched on public transportation, automobile commercials, sense of community and loss of civility, public health issues.
Some interesting nuggets - factoids, if you will. Tampa - St. Petersburg, Florida was the worst city for pedestrian danger, followed by Atlanta and New Orleans at number 10. Looks like we've got members in some of those cities….Reportedly, only 10 percent of kids walk or bike to school, that number shoots up to 25% if the kids live within a mile of the school.
Very good show. Hope you can catch the repeat tonight.
They had Bill Wilkinson Executive Director, National Center for Bicycling and Walking plus others.
Also had Bike and Pedestrian manager for Seattle
Discussions roamed over the place including pedestrians being alert to their surroundings, lack of law enforcement, overlooking non-car needs in planning, design and maintenance of roads and sidewalks. Also touched on public transportation, automobile commercials, sense of community and loss of civility, public health issues.
Some interesting nuggets - factoids, if you will. Tampa - St. Petersburg, Florida was the worst city for pedestrian danger, followed by Atlanta and New Orleans at number 10. Looks like we've got members in some of those cities….Reportedly, only 10 percent of kids walk or bike to school, that number shoots up to 25% if the kids live within a mile of the school.
Very good show. Hope you can catch the repeat tonight.
06-13-01, 08:33 PM
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10% of kids walk or bike to school?
Why in my day 10% (or less)didn't walk or bike to school!
I think that's the start of our obesity/lack of fitness problem (I'm sure it's the same in your country as mine)right there.
Why in my day 10% (or less)didn't walk or bike to school!
I think that's the start of our obesity/lack of fitness problem (I'm sure it's the same in your country as mine)right there.
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06-16-01, 08:26 PM
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Heck yeah! I remember the bike racks at my elementary school being jam packed full! If you didn't get to school early, you didn't get a parking space; you'd have to lean your bicycle against a tree.
