Pedestrian survey

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

The Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Committee (MAPC) is conducting a survey on conditions affecting pedestrians in the greater Boston area. The results will be used to determine which areas need improvements to make them more pedestrian-friendly, and what kinds of improvements might be needed.

You can fill out the survey online: http://www.mapc.org/pedplan/

Comments

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Somerville is one of the most walkable places anywhere.

As long as it isn't winter, and it hasn't snowed recently. There are whole parts of Somerville (like, say Summer Street from Davis to Union Squares) that are unwalkable because people refuse to shovel.

[ron_newman]

In places like that, I just walk in the street. But yeah, I checked off "Poor snow/ice removal" as my only "Major obstacle for pedestrians in my community".

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had some questions like that :). And if it hadn't just snowed, I wouldn't have remembered.

Generally I wouldn't have a problem walking in the street or dealing with the ice & snow, but now that I'm pushing a stroller, I'd really rather not have to walk in the street (especially when it's a major street and a business that has let a sheet of ice end up in front of it).

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I mentioned that in my comments on the survey. When it stays below freezing for many days after a snow, the ice on sidewalks becomes a *serious* hazard. It honestly makes me wonder how any wheelchair-bound residents survive around here.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Last winter, I tried to walk about 5 blocks down Summer from my house to the Vet...I had to walk in the street, it was just too treacherous. To get home, I ended up walking up Elm Street.

[cutieperson]

lack of decent curb cuts & large trees blocking sidewalks make Somerville a less than friendly place to wheel in even without ice & snow.
i'd laugh at Boston being one of the most walkable cities, but it's unsurprising that folks in wheelchairs aren't factored in.

[ron_newman]

be sure to fill out the survey then, because some of the questions specifically address accessibility issues.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Curb cuts was one of the thigns I specifically mentioned :). Pushing a stroller around has made me rather aware of where they are and, alas, are not. It really can get annoying (and I at least have the option of lifting the damn stroller...)

[cutieperson]

yeah, it's frustrating having to choose between pushing an extra several blocks (and then back in the direction you need to be in) or crossing without a crosswalk. but, well, the curb cuts & crosswalks do not always line up.

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

Or, for example, the block of Elm St. between Miller and Beech on the west side. There are like 3 or 4 houses in a row there which never shovel, and it's a serious hazard for everyone walking between Davis and Porter, and it's busy enough that walking in the street is generally a bad idea.

Also, on most streets, you can forget about pushing a stroller during the winter. Like mamajoan says, I'm glad I'm not in a wheelchair.

FInally, I pointed out the intersection of Wallace and Broadway where there have been several serious accidents in the past few years due both to inattentive motorists and careless/drunk Tufts students pedestrians clothed all in black.

[ron_newman]

Is there a traffic light and crosswalk there? I can't remember.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

There's no traffic light. I believe there is a crosswalk though.

[ron_newman]

the block of Elm St. between Miller and Beech

where the houses are in Cambridge, but I think the sidewalk is in Somerville. I'm not sure which city should be ticketing them. Try calling both.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

I agree, and I mentioned that in the survey. My walk to work, usually a pleasant 15 to 20 trip, becomes a death trap when it's icy. Entire streets are neglected, leaving me to walk in the street, and lean up against parked cars when a car comes. It's 100% infuriating, especially as walkking is my only real option for getting to work.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

I should add that streets with the worst offenders on my commute are Simpson Ave and Russell Street (half of which is in Cambridge, but I don't happen to walk on that half).