Dear Reader,
Sidewalks were most popular when all citizens, even the most affluent, had to utilize the roadways on foot. In the 1950’s housewives and children were the focus groups in regards to the building and maintaining of sidewalks and when that focus group changed to less affluent people sidewalks stopped being created in many areas. The taxes simply do not go towards sidewalk creation.
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I argue that all people have the right to be safe even if the community that the pedestrian lives in does not wish to pay for sidewalks and that everybody has the right to utilize their legs for travel.
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In the 1950’s pedestrians had some rights (or so it seems) to safety, but today’s pedestrians do not hold the same value in too many communities, cities, and/or states.
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I hope that the reader sees that the same demanding forces that existed when sidewalks were deemed important still apply today (and even more so,i.e. obesity epidemic, oil crisis, and jobs crisis) and that the only reason for the lack of sidewalks today is that less pedestrians are utilizing them. (also resulting in being coerced to buy a vehicle even if you wouldn’t otherwise choose to) Also, I hope that the reader keeps in mind the greater good of sidewalks which is good health. Sidewalks promote good health both physically and mentally as well as they are a valuable resource to this society in regards to saving our last precious amounts of gasoline/oil. In short, sidewalks do no go “out of style” . Sidewalks are still necessary and more need to be created.
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Sincerely yours,
Emily Sykes
****Right to Walk~ The belief that all pedestrians should have the right to travel safely. ~ The belief that People should not be road kill ~ The belief that no one should be coerced into buying a vehicle due to very high risks associated with being a Pedestrian.****
Right To Walk 