Advertisement

Commentary: Vehicles are making Newport Beach less walkable

Share

I recall the bygone days of “walks.” I don’t mean the walks that you take on a fall morning or an after-dinner stroll on a summer evening.

What I do mean is that our “walks” have all but disappeared: our “sidewalks,” our “crosswalks” and “boardwalks.” Our “walks” are crowded with all manner of two- and four-wheeled vehicles that make safety for pedestrians a thing of the past.

We want our cities and villages to be “walkable,” and many developers are selling their projects based on that benefit. But unless we enforce our rules of the road (and sidewalks), that will never happen. As more and more people move into Newport Beach, we can expect to see more and more “vehicles” on our “walks.”

Advertisement

Today we frequently encounter road cyclists and electric bicycle riders, who are trying to shave a few seconds off their trips by riding in crosswalks instead of stopping at the stop light like vehicles are required to do.

We see beach cruisers ridden by residents and visitors alike trying to avoid the congested highway and streets, and yes, even families of two to four bike riders all in a line who can’t understand why pedestrians don’t get out of the way, and thinking “Don’t those pedestrians know that streets aren’t safe for kids.”

It’s not our neighborhood streets that are the problem; it’s the major arteries through town:. Coast Highway, Newport Boulevard, Superior Avenue and the others.

Pedestrian safety has become the lowest priority in a community that’s being sold as walkable, and especially in areas that cater to pedestrians as shoppers and diners.

Mayor Diane Dixon just released her midyear review, and one of her five priorities was protecting our citizens. So, Mayor Dixon, let’s focus on all the “walks” in our town, not just the boardwalk or areas near schools. Every pedestrian has a right to feel safe on any “walk” they use.

--

KAREN TRINGALI lives in Corona del Mar.

Advertisement