Looking back for the way forward..When the Streets Belonged to All, and All Belonged

edmonton daily photo · 07-08-2012, 08:33 AM

http://streetsblog.net/2012/08/06/wh...n-the-streets/

How things have changed. In his book “Fighting Traffic,” Peter Norton writes that “jaywalking” was an offense created by auto manufacturers and driving enthusiasts, who had a serious image problem in the early 20th century, when streets were commonly considered the province of the public at large.

Another quoute

[T]raffic engineering is a very young profession that is, in large part, making it up as it goes along. I’m not saying these people aren’t competent, just that engineers rarely admit (even to themselves) that this is all a huge experiment and society is essentially the guinea pig.

Since we expect pedestrians to routinely walk adjacent to traffic — just a couple feet away, really — traveling at speeds from 25 mph to 45 mph, the idea of someone being mowed down by an oncoming car traveling somewhere between 4 and 8 mph is hard for the modern mind to comprehend. Imagine suggesting that nobody need travel more than even 20 mph in a city, let alone the 4 mph that society held to be acceptable a century ago.

And another

Yes,” Marohn writes, “give me highways that allow me to get somewhere quickly, safely and efficiently, but when I get there, I actually want to be there. Let’s make our places worth being in, which may mean slow traffic along with more common sense and a little consideration.”

MXV · 07-08-2012, 11:47 AM

Thankfully, only Edmonton and Calgary have jaywalking bylaws...for the rest of the province, the Traffic Safety Act exists, which allows the freedom for pedestrians to cross roadways anywhere, providing it is done safely and expediently.

edmonton daily photo · 07-08-2012, 11:54 AM

^ we need to change this I think!!

McBoo · 07-08-2012, 04:40 PM

You may say baby steps but Edmonton, Calgary to a degree too - are making at least baby steps.

I'm thinking slimming Jasper Ave - new Capital Blvd - Victoria Promenade - RHW - Churchill Square - 104 street.

Likely there's more - but it all costs money and takes time.

And yes, CPH and AMS have some great bike lanes, pedestrian friendly streets. Stroget is a particular favourite, but it's pretty narrow - was it ever a "major thoroughfare"?

They both also have some gawdawful wide boulevards that pedestrians are lucky to make the centre median!

07-08-2012, 08:33 AM	#1
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	Looking back for the way forward..When the Streets Belonged to All, and All Belonged http://streetsblog.net/2012/08/06/wh...n-the-streets/ How things have changed. In his book “Fighting Traffic,” Peter Norton writes that “jaywalking” was an offense created by auto manufacturers and driving enthusiasts, who had a serious image problem in the early 20th century, when streets were commonly considered the province of the public at large. Another quoute [T]raffic engineering is a very young profession that is, in large part, making it up as it goes along. I’m not saying these people aren’t competent, just that engineers rarely admit (even to themselves) that this is all a huge experiment and society is essentially the guinea pig. Since we expect pedestrians to routinely walk adjacent to traffic — just a couple feet away, really — traveling at speeds from 25 mph to 45 mph, the idea of someone being mowed down by an oncoming car traveling somewhere between 4 and 8 mph is hard for the modern mind to comprehend. Imagine suggesting that nobody need travel more than even 20 mph in a city, let alone the 4 mph that society held to be acceptable a century ago. And another Yes,” Marohn writes, “give me highways that allow me to get somewhere quickly, safely and efficiently, but when I get there, I actually want to be there. Let’s make our places worth being in, which may mean slow traffic along with more common sense and a little consideration.” __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

07-08-2012, 11:54 AM	#3
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	^ we need to change this I think!! __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

07-08-2012, 04:40 PM	#4
McBoo Addicted to C2E Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Edmonton, Canada	You may say baby steps but Edmonton, Calgary to a degree too - are making at least baby steps. I'm thinking slimming Jasper Ave - new Capital Blvd - Victoria Promenade - RHW - Churchill Square - 104 street. Likely there's more - but it all costs money and takes time. And yes, CPH and AMS have some great bike lanes, pedestrian friendly streets. Stroget is a particular favourite, but it's pretty narrow - was it ever a "major thoroughfare"? They both also have some gawdawful wide boulevards that pedestrians are lucky to make the centre median! __________________ Linda Sloan - Danielle's BFF Hoot

07-08-2012, 11:47 AM	#2
MXV Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2011	Thankfully, only Edmonton and Calgary have jaywalking bylaws...for the rest of the province, the Traffic Safety Act exists, which allows the freedom for pedestrians to cross roadways anywhere, providing it is done safely and expediently.