Where Do the Sidewalks Begin?

Renowned author Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “Nature must be ashamed of the way this place has been laid out and patterned after a checkerboard and parceled out in little parcels where you stand on each other’s toes, face the sidewalk, your elbows in the next neighbor’s ribs ….” (qtd. in Yagelski, Miller 273).

Frank Lloyd Wright’s words may have been aimed at the design of bigger cities, but he has also unintentionally given those of us who live in the outer suburbs satisfaction in knowing we have enough room to spread out. We are not stepping on each other’s toes here. Our elbows aren’t in our neighbor’s ribs. But we cannot face the sidewalk, because there are no sidewalks. I live in a newer community in Graham, WA called Thrift Pond. We have a split level home on an acre of land. All the homes in our development are on at least an acre of land. It’s quiet out here. There are the sounds of nature all around us. I think one of the main reasons people choose to live in the suburbs, besides the great prices on housing and land, is to sort of get away from it all. But in order to get back to it all, it is necessary to drive everywhere. The interesting thing about having to drive everywhere is that Graham has grown so much, that every necessity is very close to home. There are grocery stores, hardware stores, department stores, major national chain retail stores, and any other kind of shopping you could want, all within two to three miles of most of the newer developments. Many of these are easily within walking or biking distance for those who would rather not fire up their vehicles every time they need to run to the store. The online journal Health by Design states the following:

- The 1995 National Personal Transportation Survey found that 40% of car trips in the U.S. are less than 2 miles, short enough to be accomplished on foot or by bicycle, if the infrastructure supports walking or biking.

- Cars have their poorest efficiency and so burn more gas during the first few miles of travel

If these communities of suburbia, such as the one I live in, had sidewalks implemented, I think many people would utilize them. The advantages of sidewalks can’t easily be measured, but consider these advantages:

With over two-thirds of Americans being either overweight or obese, sidewalks would give people more opportunities for exercise. I grew up in a community where there were sidewalks on both sides of the road on virtually every street in town. The community seemed to be more active. It was an everyday sight to see families strolling together in the evenings along the sidewalks. Children would ride their bicycles, people would walk their dogs. Runners and bicyclists had a safe alternative to being dangerously close to traffic on the shoulder of the road.

With more people utilizing the sidewalks, there would be less vehicular traffic, therefore reducing vehicular emissions and helping to improve the environment. Those who wish to utilize the sidewalks would save on the ever increasing cost of fuel each time they decided to leave the car in the driveway. Along with these benefits, those who still choose to drive will become more conscious of pedestrians and bicyclists, and face less traffic.

Sidewalks also help to build strong communities. With the option for members of the community to use the sidewalk, it helps to bring neighbors together. While out for walks either alone, or with family, sidewalks give ample opportunity for saying hello to each other, and getting to know the people within their neighborhoods. With the arrival of the electric garage door opener, a lot of people walk straight out of their homes and into their garages, start their cars, drive to work, and then drive back home again, into their garages, and straight into their homes without ever actually being outside of their homes. This doesn’t lend itself to being very neighborly. Getting to know your neighbors is a good idea because as people get to know each other, they begin to care for each other. This can make the neighborhood a tighter community, and offer a more comfortable and safer environment for everybody.

The most important advantage is also the most obvious: safety. There are many who choose to walk or ride bicycles even though there are no sidewalks. The shoulder on most roads in local communities is not sufficient to provide a safe enough cushion between pedestrians and vehicles. There are many pedestrian fatalities in Washington each year. John R. Batiste reported that in April 2010, a fifteen year old girl was hit and killed while walking on the shoulder of the road in Milton, WA. While walking with a friend, she was hit directly by a box van when the driver was distracted and drifted off the road momentarily. A sidewalk may have given enough of a cushion to possibly prevent this tragedy.

There may be those out there who do not see themselves using sidewalks. Even though they may not physically use them, they would still receive second hand benefits by living in more close knit communities in a safer environment. They would reap environmental benefits including less traffic and emissions from vehicles. They would even benefit from becoming more aware of pedestrians and bicyclists around them. And if that isn’t enough, online journal Health by Design states the following: Property values rise the fastest in pedestrian friendly areas. Home buyers are willing to pay more for homes in communities with sidewalks. I think all would agree that this is good for everybody. But more importantly, what is the cost of a human life? Can it be measured? I think every responsible citizen would be interested in reducing the number of fatalities. While there may be arguments against having sidewalks implemented by those who don’t see themselves ever using the sidewalks, the advantages of having sidewalks in our neighborhoods far outweigh the potential costs.

I would admonish everybody to do their part to help bring sidewalks into your communities by letting your local authorities know of the need for sidewalks, and the potential benefits to the community. Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. Share your views within your respective communities by addressing the city council or your local homeowners association. You can even write a letter to your congressman.

Growing up in a place where there were sidewalks lining every street, many memories of my youth begin with those first few steps down the sidewalk. The sidewalk was there as I lagged behind and tried to keep up with my older sisters on our way to school. The sidewalk was there as my father pushed me away as I gained my balance and my first taste of freedom as I learned to ride my bicycle. The sidewalk was there as I walked along and vented my frustrations to a friend. The sidewalk was there as I walked hand in hand with the girl who would become my wife. The sidewalk is more than just a continuous slab of concrete; it is an integral part of our American heritage.

Works Cited

Batiste, John R. ‘Washington State Patrol Media Release.’ Wsp.wa.gov. 29 Apr. 2010.

Web. 17 Jul. 2011.

“Fact Sheet: The Benefits of Sidewalks”. Health by Design, nd. Web. 15 Jul. 2011.

Yagelski, Robert P., and Robert K. Miller. The Informed Argument, Brief Sixth Edition.

Boston: Wadsworth, 2004. Print.