A new report (link to pdf file) put out by Transportation Alternatives shows how New York City’s layout underserves its senior pedestrians. Traffic speeds are too high, streets are too wide for seniors to safely get across, and driver behavior puts these most vulnerable citizens at risk.

 

From Discriminatory by Design:

 

Researchers observed seniors increasing their pace to cross particularly wide intersections in order to get across in the time allotted. The accelerated pace itself could pose a hazard – it also indicates the anxiety that many NYC seniors have just walking around their city.

 

The study recommends “minor, low-cost improvements” to make the streets safer for all pedestrians and the city more accessible to seniors. Slowing vehicles down is a key measure to minimize injuries. Other suggestions include extending the curbs at intersections to decrease distances across the street and adding a flexible barrier in the middle of the road to prevent vehicles from quickly slicing across intersections when turning left. Education of drivers and enforcement of pedestrians’ right of way play an important role as well.

 

 

Walking is the perfect, low-impact, aerobic activity to keep people healthy, vibrant, and mentally crisp well into their older years. In addition to the physical benefits, it provides social interactions and a sense of community. Imagine living in New York without being able to safely walk around – it would be debilitating.

 

Of course we at carectomy would like to see communities worldwide make efforts to provide safe access for all pedestrians and cyclists and to take back some of what automobiles have usurped from our lives. But the findings of this latest study drive the point home – even in the walker’s paradise of New York City, urban planners have given far too much preference to the automobile’s access at their own citizens’ expense.

 

Photo via flickr by Bikoy.