Most Dangerous Places for Pedestrians ~ Article

**bumplett** · 07-16-2011, 10:25 AM

The most dangerous cities for pedestrians- MSN Money

Living in the south, I'd have to agree that our metro areas aren't very people friendly.

I met a man selling electric bicycles at the most recent health/wellness expo. Coolest bikes ever. I had to ask him... "you aren't from here are you?"

Nope. He wasn't. He just follows the expos - I hated to be the bearer of bad news, but Atlanta is NOT a bike friendly town.

What's it like for foot traffic where you live?

What's about the bicycle traffic?

**MaryCarney** · 07-16-2011, 11:11 AM

Indianapolis has - for being the 12th largest city - FARMS within the city limits still, and plenty of 'rural' type areas. No sidewalks, no streetlights.
About once a month someone is killed walking/ biking along one of these roads - 99% of the time after dark, no headlights/reflectors and wearing dark clothing. No excuse, mind you, but you're sort of asking for it when you engage in these behaviors. I always feel badly for the driver as well, because I've almost hit some of these folks on my way to work - and I'm stone cold sober and paying attention.

**pollypurebred39** · 07-16-2011, 11:43 AM

Well, if you go in town, there's not really a problem. Small town, very little traffic and sidewalks. But huge steep hills, you've got to be seriously strong to ride a bike up those hills.

Where I'm at it's a different story. Very narrow, winding roads with blind curves and steep hills. No sidewalks. The roads out here (with few exceptions) used to be cow paths where the farmers moved their cows to different grazing areas. It's a beautiful area, with some very old historic homes, but the roads are not meant for cars let alone bikes, and yet everyday I'll see some insane person with a baby trolley attached to their bike going down our road. It's only a matter of time, we have several fatal car accidents on our road every year.

There is a main road that is often used for bike travel, and that has seen more than it's fair share of deaths of walkers and bikers. Lots of people have begun walking or biking to work out here. I just try to be extra careful when out on the road, I know I'm going to see walkers and bikers along these roads in the pitch black of night. One guy out here has tied a flashlight to use like a headlight at night, I see him riding either to or from work in his uniform. A lot of our roads have zero light and it's impossible to ride on them at night without something to light your way. I ran across one biker who found out the hard way one evening traveling our road. I came up on him and nearly ran him over it was so pitch black out. He couldn't see a thing and was trying to ride his bike down our road. I helped him out by driving behind him slowly all the way down our road so he didn't get creamed. I don't think he'll ever try that without a headlight again.

**bumplett** · 07-16-2011, 12:00 PM

My peeve is the kids that ride in and out of the road, wearing black, at night - and they criss cross across the road.... aghhhh!

It's not too often, mostly a summer issue while school's out - but it freaks me out.

I love the areas of California that have actual bike lanes - I wish we could all have those!

**shoiji** · 07-16-2011, 12:07 PM

Where I am there are plenty of sidewalks to walk on. There are also many drivers who refuse to acknowledge your existence trying to cross the street. Even when the little white pedestrian light goes on the drivers are more concerned about turning then they are to wait until you cross the street safely. It really makes walking a non leisurely activity since you always need to be aware of any cars. The worst is when you see someone busy with their cell phone. To this day I have no idea what phone call is so important that they can not wait until they get home or pull off the side of the road to answer the phone.

Ok, will get off my soapbox now.

**pollypurebred39** · 07-16-2011, 12:20 PM

Oh we've got those kids in town, day and night. Pop out from parked cars.

I've nearly clipped a few. But I'm that crazy lady who leans out her car window and wags my finger, admonishing them. Small town, can get away with that.

It's funny, some people out here are so freaked out about riding their bikes at night they light up the road like a beacon. Dressing from head to toe in almost glow in the dark, reflective clothing. Their bikes outfitted with blinking lights and reflectors. Even the carts they drag behind their bikes all lit up and have one of those safety flags flying high. But there are many more that either don't have the common sense enough, or just don't have the money to make themselves more noticeable on the road. Those are the one that really worry me.

**zakity** · 07-16-2011, 12:44 PM

The bike laws here are a major complaint with people. They keep putting more money into bike lanes and such and the people with cars are the ones paying for it through the tax on gas. And, the bicyclists think they own the road. They never follow the rules of the road, but they are more than ready to yell at the vehicles if they come remotely close to them. And, don't get me started on the ones with inadequate lighting and such and wearing all black. I will give major kudos to the local police department. They pull the bicyclists over and give them tickets when they break the laws.

As for pedestrians, they have a law here where you have to stop if someone is standing on the side of the road at a crosswalk (or where a crosswalk would be). I think it is a good idea.

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-16-2011, 12:58 PM

It's too humid here to consider walking or riding a bike anywhere most of the year. Our summers are scorching and winters below freezing. We don't really have a centralized business district, we have several smaller ones spread around the city, so using a car is a must here.

DH always yells at people walking in the street and I constantly point out that there's no sidewalks. Many of our roads have ditches along the sides, too. Where are people supposed to walk?

The yuppie part of town has a beautiful, extensive system of biking and walking trails... for the sporting enthusiast. They don't really go anywhere, and they're only in that one part of town.

**bumplett** · 07-16-2011, 01:42 PM

I suppose that's one disadvantage to suburbia, the distance between point A to point B.

I worked exactly 2 miles from home, but I would be putting my life in danger should I attempt to ride my bike to/from work. That's incredibly sad to me.

I have a friend whose hubby lived in California for years, he was biking down the road here quite a few years ago, got hit (intentionally) in the back with a bat by a passenger in a passing car.

**pollypurebred39** · 07-16-2011, 02:26 PM

WOW! That's awful!

**bumplett** · 07-16-2011, 03:05 PM

I guess it shows me that it's not only an ignorance of pedestrians and cyclists, but it's also a lack of respect as well.

I'll admit I get annoyed when I'm stuck behind a bike, but I'm not annoyed with the person on the bike, but more by the lack of road space for me to safely pass them, or for them to safely ride. Same is true for walking - people shouldn't be forced to walk in the ditch just to get from point to point.

**bumplett** · 07-16-2011, 03:07 PM

here's a couple of interesting links.

walkinginfo.org: Pedestrian Crash Facts

http://legalcatch.wordpress.com/2008...nt-statistics/

**shoiji** · 07-17-2011, 11:13 AM

There are bike lanes here to ride your bike. I went out years ago and purchased a bike. Right now Sunday seems to be the only day in the morning that it is somewhat safe to ride. I have been cut off to many times because someone needed to turn into a driveway right away. Needless to say I have not ridden my bike in a while. Most people now ride their bikes on the sidewalk. Which is against the law but it is safer.

**227melissa** · 07-17-2011, 04:44 PM

I'm sorry I do not consider Florida or Texas the south. Florida is nothing but transplants/retirees and Texas they think they are not part of the union . sorry I mean no offense. We have bike riders get killed here all the time in Mobile. but no too many pedestrians.

**mh3rdwheel** · 07-18-2011, 10:36 AM

I am fortunate that in my area they turned some of the train tracks into walking/biking trails, the beginning of one in Wheeling by my house it follows I-70 goes to downtown Wheeling where if I road I could get off the trail ride across Fort Henry Bridge (1-70 bridge) to Wheeling Island to work.

a lot of people in my area ride their bike to and from work no matter what the weather.