| Walker Bashing | |
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Whenever you read an article critical of walking or hear a talk show - write, email, and call. Don't let it pass unchallenged. In the past year I have had three letters to the editor published and two radio talk shows respond to my objection in their treatment of walkers and pedestrians.
Here are some "talking points" to use to call other talk shows or write to newspapers that bash walking:
- Walking an hour a day can prevent many major killing diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. To do anything to discourage walking means inflicting more disease and suffering and health care expense on people.
- All drivers are walkers at some point in their journey - getting into the car, getting out, going into the office or store. Sidewalks and traffic safety matter to drivers as they become walkers during their journey.
- Pedestrians pay road taxes because 99% of pedestrians are drivers as well. Having a decent sidewalk and safe crossings is a benefit to all who pay the taxes to build the roads.
- Each pedestrian means one less car getting in your way on the road - fewer traffic jams.
- Build good sidewalks and paths and there will be fewer altercations between walkers and cars.
- The law says that a crosswalk exists at every intersection, even where not striped.
- Police do pedestrian-yielding stings because so many drivers scoff the laws and they need reminded that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks.
- The more regular people walking the street, the safer the street. Good people drive away the criminals. To reduce crime, encourage people to walk on the streets.
- Walking leads to longer, healthier, happier life. To reduce your road rage, get out of your car once in awhile.
