This Week on Foot

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The week has been full of ups and downs for pedestrian bridges -- literally, a Neb. pedestrian bridge full of kids dips in middle. Perhaps Nebraska needs to take a look at Oregon's pedestrian bridges, where a Pedestrian span garners another award for Salem.

Yes, things are dangerous out there for pedestrians. Why else would New York hire Crossing Guards To Help Adults Cross Perilous West Street ? (And, why doesn't the City look for more permanent improvements to the street?). 

Fortunately, in nearby in Hoboken, community members are Improving Pedestrian Safety, One Post-It At A Time, and across the world in Kuala Lumpur work has begun on a set of funky-looking paths that are expected to provide a Safer walk for pedestrians. Plus, Grand Rapids christens first official "complete street" for bikers, pedestrians and vehicles.

And it's not just adults who are getting involved in improving walkability. In the Canadian city of Tillonsburg the Day Camp Walkability Challenge promotes healthy, active living for local children. Kids who participate in the program are sent out on foot with walkability checklists in hand to evaluate community walking conditions are learn about pedestrian safety. The program is meant to help kids understand how people, "choose to get around in the community, and to appreciate the personal health and environmental benefits of walking as a means of transportation."

On a final note, this week we say a last goodbye to a walking fixture of LA's Silver Lake community:

Rest In Peace: Silver Lake Walking Man

Upcoming Walking Events

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California Air Resources Board
Workshops on greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets -
Stop by and show your support for high targets and investment in pedestrian infrastructure:

LOS ANGELES--Tuesday, July 20 from 9am-12pm
Los Angeles Metro Building
Board Chambers-3rd Floor
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, Ca 90012
 
SAN DIEGO--Wednesday, July 21 from 9am-12pm
San Diego County Administration Bldg
Board Chambers
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
 
VENTURA--Friday, July 23 from 9am-12pm
Ventura County Govt. Ctr.
Board Chambers
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, Ca 93009

Designing for Pedestrian Safety
Free 8-part Webinar Series - Register here.

• Part 1: Introduction to Pedestrian Safety Design and Planning Principles -Tuesday, July 20 at 11:30 a.m. PST
• Part 2: Sidewalk Design - Tuesday, August 3 at 11:00 a.m. PST
• Part 3: Treatments at Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossings - Tuesday, August 17 at 11:00 a.m. PST
• Part 4: Intersection Geometry - Thursday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m. PST
• Part 5: Interchanges and Roundabouts
• Part 6: Signalized Intersections
• Part 7: Pedestrians and Transit
• Part 8: Road Diets

Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Design and Planning Summer Workshop
August 16-20, 2010
Portland State University

From PSU: This week-long course will provide practitioners with the fundamentals of pedestrian and bicycle planning and design through an intensive week of interactive classroom and field experience. The course will integrate transit access and connections, bridges, trail crossings, and other special features into the discussion. Project case studies and funding will highlight practical applications of the principles and techniques discussed.
 
Additional information, and the registration form, here.

Pedestrian Crossing Primer

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For those under the misimpression that crosswalks are just two white lines across the street,  check out this critter-inspired post from The City Fix for a thorough explanation of the myriad of crossing options available to pedestrians these days:

 Zebras, Puffins, Pelicans or Hawks for Pedestrians?

This week on Foot

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This week we're reminded again of how often motorists escape charges when they hit and kill pedestrians. In Pennslyvannia there No charges in fatal Shrewsbury pedestrian accident, police say, because the parked vehicles along the street made it difficult for the driver to see the pedestrian.

Then in Nevada, a Pedestrian in hit-and-run crash dies; no charges filed because the pedestrian was "likely at fault" and the motorist didn't know he had struck a pedestrian when he left the scene.

At least in the UK an Injured pedestrian to get damages over untrimmed bushes, and in Hawaii the Heat turned up on crosswalk-violating motorists.

It makes you understand why a Legally blind blogger working to improve pedestrian safety in Montgomery.

Maybe in LA matters will improve with a Pedestrian bridge would link Glendale to Griffith Park. We can only hope.

Cool Ped Stuff # 8: Rate My Street

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Rate My Street is a  UK-based site that allows users to rate their favorite (or least-favorite) stretch of street based on eight key factors (e.g. pavement width, trip hazards, clean/attractive). There's also a space to add a detailed description of street conditions or tips about nieghborhood character. Given the general dearth of data about pedestrian conditions in cities, this could be a really useful tool for planners as they try to understand and improve walkability:  http://www.ratemystreet.co.uk/

Along the same lines, Car Free Chicago has put together a similar site for transit stops in the city:
http://www.carfreechicago.com/trainstopguide