How Sidewalks can Bridge the Gap between Government and Citizen

Sidewalks. They’re easy to use, and even easier to take for granted.

They’re critical carriers of business and recreational foot traffic, the reason for millions of dollars in maintenance and repairs. They’re top of mind for many cities and towns, but most residents of those communities probably don’t give much thought to their existence until there is some kind of problem — when they’re cracked, missing or being repaved.

Like so many other elements of local government, the public may not think about them day-to-day, but we know that civic leaders do. And sidewalks have myriad benefits to communities, so it’s easy to see why they’re so valued:

• Health Benefits: Sidewalks and other walking paths encourage walking among community members, which can have a ripple effect on heart health and weight.
• Property Value Benefits: In neighborhoods with sidewalks, home values tend to be higher.
• Economic Benefits: Walkways and sidewalks improve access for people who rely on public transit to get to work. They also improve customer traffic for retail businesses.
• Public Safety Benefits: Sidewalks reduce crime by increasing the number of people walking down streets at any given time.
• Pedestrian Safety Benefits: According to the Federal Highway Administration, roads without sidewalks are twice as likely to be the scene of pedestrian crashes. In addition, sidewalks or walking paths along high-traffic roadways could prevent 88 percent of pedestrian-vehicle deaths.
• Social Benefits: Having sidewalks and walkways in residential areas enhances the sense of community for the people living there and increases neighbor-to-neighbor interactions.

The best way for governments to make sure walkways can play all of these important roles and reach their full potential is to show citizens they care. Allowing walkways to fall into disrepair shows disregard for these transportation arteries. Neglecting to lay down a sidewalk along a busy road or from one commercial center to another shows a misunderstanding for the importance of walkways to residents’ safety and quality of life.

Not to mention the backlash poorly planned sidewalks can cause among residents.

On the other hand, a good sidewalk can connect a would-be shopper with a new store down the street. A paved path from park to park may enhance a long ride for a bicyclist. A raised walkway over a busy street could mean the difference between a 30-minute bus ride and a 15-minute walk to school with dad for a child.

And getting citizen input on pedestrian mobility — be it a greenway or a sidewalk plan for an entire city — can be one of the best ways to ensure citizens that their local leaders care not only about the sidewalks in their community, but the people who use those sidewalks as well.

Originally published on 4/9/14 at http://mindmixer.com/2014/04/how-walkways-can-bridge-the-gap-between-government-and-citizen/