Good Job to Public Works - Hillsboro Village

Many people write to me at TheSidewalkFoundation@gmail.com to ask how they can get a sidewalk in their neighborhood.  This turns out to be a very challenging question for which I have no easy answers.  

On the flip side, if you can be patient, Public Works does good things at times.  Below is an example of an issue I called in about 1.5 years ago.  Look closely at the smudged out white stop bar on the roadway.  

Can you see the issue?

The old stop bar invited drivers to pull up and stop past the sidewalk.  Imagine if there was a cross walk here - it would be between the 2 stop bars that you see.  

Before, as a walker, you ran the risk of stepping into the road only to have a motorist race up to the stop bar before looking left and right for pedestrians.  So dangerous!

If you have issues/concerns about walkability, you can email Public Works at:  https://www.nashville.gov/Government/Request-Customer-Service.aspx.  

Expect to be really patient...

Nashvillians Will Walk...When It's Worth It

We have a lot of stats in Nashville that show are growth, our niceness, our interest to the world, etc.  

3 statistics on Nashville that aren't rosy -

---ranked the 15th most dangerous cities in the US based on pedestrian deaths AND pedestrian deaths went up in 2015
---our obesity rate is hovering near 40%
---for every mile of roadways, we have 1/8 mile of sidewalks on both sides

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Some people argue that we don't need sidewalks.  They say things like, no one walks or it's too expensive.  I have been thinking a lot about why it is that so few walk in Nashville.  Why isn't there more of a culture of walking?

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When walking in the freezing rain the other day with my 3 year old son - it became quickly worth it to hop on the bus.  With a well designed sidewalk network, it will quickly become worth it to walk.  

On this walk, it occurred to me that Nashvillians will walk if they find it easier than driving - if it is worth it.  If it is quicker, easier and more interesting.  If the sidewalk network is designed well & completed - we could literally create the best (& only!) walking city in the South.


Right now it isn't worth it.  It is not safe, connected, or interesting.  This is one explanation for all the hostility around sidewalks:  we don't have a walking culture.  We don't have it because we haven't properly planned for it nor funded it.    

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As part of this project - we hope to get photos of  our Council Members, business owners & VIPs holding these signs.  Interested?  

Contact:  TheSidewalkFoundation@gmail.com.


Follow us on Instagram:  #NashvilleNeedsSidewalks

See Nashville Needs Sidewalks on Channel 5 News - Talking Sidewalks!

Channel 5 News last night - Talking about sidewalks!

http://www.newschannel5.com/news/nashville-needs-sidewalks-signs-seen-around-town

If you are a business owner, walking enthusiast, or are on Council - I'd love to get a picture of you holding a Nashville Needs Sidewalks sign.  Please contact me:  TheSidewalkFoundation@gmail.com

'Yo, Megan Barry Do Something!'

Spotted on East Nashville Facebook page with this comment:  'I like this, but I think it needs to say bike lanes instead.  Yo, Megan Barry do something!'

Well, that is one way to say it!  I am all for bike lanes but not everyone is a biker.  The terrain is not easy in Nashville - hilly, hot, fast moving traffic.  What I do know is that everyone is a pedestrian (from birth!) and everyone would benefit from getting out more on foot.

Thank you KJ for sending it my way...If you see Nashville Needs Sidewalks posters, let me know.  

TheSidewalkFoundation@gmail.com

Build Like You Live Next Door...additional ideas on this Nashville concept

One way to 'Build Like You Live Next Door' is to insists that the proper infrastructure is put down during construction.  Encourage contractors and developers to build the sidewalk that is required rather than pay into the In-Lieu fee.  

It is a huge gift to the neighborhood to put in the piece of sidewalk grid for everyone to use.  In this way, developers can contribute to the eventual sidewalking of the entire block.

Another way to "Build Like You Live Next Door' is to put in walkways from your home to the road.  Access strictly from driveway suggests that the only way you welcome people into your home is via the car, which is hopefully not the case!  Inviting friends and neighbors to walk over is so much more hospitable and fun.

Thesidewalkfoundation@gmail.com

Want a Nashville Needs Sidewalks sign?

Springtime in Nashville is...People Watching?

Wish you could say the same for Nashville.

I once had a boyfriend say, ' I love spring - all that skin appears after being hidden over the long cold winter'.  Should have been a red flag...

But, it is fun to catch the excitement of spring and get out on foot.  Who knows who you'll run into and what you will see?

Do you feel Nashville Needs Sidewalks?  

It certainly would be much easier, safer and more comfortable to get out on foot if Nashville had a consistent and cohesive sidewalk network.  With a well designed and consistent sidewalk network people will get out on foot in droves...making for an experience that is much more fun!

First 'Wild' Spotting and Sharing of Nashville Needs Sidewalk Signs!

Spotted & shared!  

  

This is our first 'wild' spotting and documentation...

Want a Nashville Needs Sidewalks sign?

Email:  thesidewalkfoundation@gmail.com

Link:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB82keSTCEP/