Why Sidewalks Are Important

One of the key components of a walkable neighborhood is the sidewalk—the roadway for pedestrians. Characteristics of good sidewalks include:

• They are continuous—there are no gaps in the sidewalk network.
• They are installed on both sides of a street; while a sidewalk on one side of the street is certainly better than no sidewalk at all, this does not mean that a sidewalk should not exist on both sides of the street.
• They are separated from moving traffic. A planting strip is a common buffer, and if wide enough can include street trees. Parked cars or on-street bike lanes also provide separation of pedestrians from traffic. For more information on sidewalk buffers, see the article, "Sidewalks placement: What are the advantages of setting back the sidewalk with a planting strip?."
• They are wide enough to comfortably accommodate at least two adults walking side by side, and are clear of obstructions both horizontally and vertically; this includes overgrowth, parked vehicles, and garbage or recycle containers.
• They are well maintained and free of cracks or lifted sections that could become tripping hazards and barriers to people in wheelchairs  

For young children:

Since children this age vary greatly in ability, it is important for parents to supervise and make decisions on when their child is ready for a new independent activity. Sidewalks separated from the street make it safer for children to walk to school or to a neighbor’s house to play. The limits and abilities of small children include:

• Impulsive, unpredictable
• Limited peripheral vision
• Sound source not located easily
• Some very young children cannot tell the difference between a parked car and one that is moving.
• Limited training, lack of experience.
• Poor gap/speed assessment.
• Think grown-ups will look out for them.
• Close calls are fun.
• Short, hard to see.
• Want to run, desire to limit crossing time.
• Like to copy behavior of older people.

For preteens:

By middle school years, children have many of their physical abilities, but still lack experience and training. Their needs and abilities include:

• Lack experience.
• Walk and bicycle more and at different times (higher exposure).
• Lack positive role models.
• Willing to take chances.

For high school-age:

By high school and college age, exposure changes, and new risks are assumed. Many walk and bicycle under low light conditions. Their needs and abilities include:

• Very active, can go long distances, new places.
• Feel invincible.
• Still lack of experience and training.

For young adults:

Adults who have not walked and bicycled regularly as children, and who have not received training are ill-prepared to take on the challenges of an unfriendly urban environment.

• Many are unskilled in urban walking.
• Many assume higher skills and abilities than they actually have.
• Most carry over slopping habits from childhood.
• Many new immigrants, especially from Asia, are unprepared for urban auto traffic.

For senior adults:

Senior adults, ages 60 and up, begin a gradual decline in physical and physiological performance, with a rapid decline after age 75. Many are incapable of surviving serious injuries. These changes affect their performance.

• Walk more in older years, especially for exercise/independence.
• Many have reduced income and therefore no car.
• All experience some reduction in vision, agility, balance, speed, strength.
• Some have further problems with hearing, extreme visual problems, concentration.
• Some have a tendency to focus on only one object at a time.
• All have greatly reduced abilities under low light/night conditions, are less able to see contrast, take much longer to focus from near to far, night glare more troubling.
• Many overestimate their abilities.

For disabled people:

For those who live to an older age, 85 percent will have a permanent disability. Disabilities are common through all ages, and the permanently disabled constitute at least 15 percent of our population. Those with permanent physical disabilities, often kept away from society in the past, are now walking and bicycling on a regular basis. Many others have temporary conditions, including pregnancy, broken or sprained limbs that may restrict their mobility.

• Visually impaired, hearing impaired, mobility impaired, mental/emotional impairment, other.
• Many older adults have reduced abilities.
• Many were previously institutionalized, and are not trained to walk in the streets.
• Those dependent on alcohol or drugs may be hard to recognize.
• Level of energy expended by a wheelchair user is about 30 percent higher than that needed by a pedestrian walking the same distance. A person on crutches or with artificial legs uses 70 percent more energy to go the same distance. (Based on tests conducted by the Veterans Administration)

For ethnic/cultural diversity/tourism:

America is rapidly becoming a nation with no clear majority population. All groups need access and mobility in order to fully participate in society. Transportation officials must pay close attention to communication, the creation of ethnic villages, and sub cultural needs and practices.

• Some newly arriving groups lack urban experience.
• Many are used to different driver behavior.

For transportation disadvantaged:

Too often transportation professionals live, work and play with people just like them. Many assume that everyone has a car, and therefore access and mobility to society. In contrast with this belief, 30-40 percent of the population in most states do not have their own car, often because they cannot afford to purchase or operate a car. These men, women and children are highly dependent on walking, transit, and bicycling for their basic freedom, access and mobility.

For everyone:

• Safe and relaxing place to walk.
• To get daily exercise for better health at no cost.
• To interact with others in the neighborhood.
• To walk to public transit, places of worship, neighboring houses, and other destinations, thereby reducing vehicle-generated pollution.