I don't know what to tell you, Carson. I have appreciated having the
opportunity in WSMAC to learn the perspectives of others besides myself,
especially you and Leelee. As a sighted and able-bodied person, and
educated cyclist, it's too easy for me to take my independence for granted,
even without a car, by using my bike. I have never thought so much as I am
now about being prevented by weather, or even normal traffic situations,
from traveling anywhere, or sometimes from leaving the house at all.
Even though "vulnerable users" are often grouped together in conversations
about road safety, the fact is that safe road movement and accessibility
for bicyclists, able-bodied pedestrians, visually impaired pedestrians, and
wheelchair users varies as much from each other as it does compared to
motor vehicle drivers. It often feels like road design is firstly about
motor vehicle usage, then about "all others" after that, and only as funds
are available. In reality, it seems to me that that design for "all others"
could easily stand to have as much attention paid to it, and differently
for each user group, as there is for car drivers. On one hand, they are the
largest group, so engineers certainly have to pay attention to them. On the
other, it's no accident (no pun intended) that they are there largest
group, because policies and design have favored them for about the past 100
years, at the expense of other modes, including public transportation.
One practical question: Does the new #3 bus route help? In general, are
buses accessible to the blind community? What could make them better?
On Sat, Apr 27, 2019 at 2:13 PM Angela King <angela@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Carson,
The dilemma you bring up – independence vs. danger, confidence vs.
stupidity – could not be more accurately articulated.
This is the struggle we face as people who want to be mobile outside of a
car, and also encourage more people to do the same. Studies show that the
more people walking and riding bikes makes the streets safer because
drivers will expect others on the road and drive accordingly, ready to
stop, go slower, etc. But until we get to that point of driver cognizance
and change of behavior, walking and biking on the road can feel risky,
dangerous and stupid at times.
When my family and I first moved to Pownal, my son and I got on our bikes
to ride to his elementary school just under a mile away. That was the first
time I ever felt that I was putting my life and my son's life at risk by
riding a bike. We did it a few times, riding to school on the road until it
didn't feel worth the stress and instead we began riding on a trail through
the woods to get to school.
Since that time, four years ago now, there have been some positive roadway
changes – getting speed limits lowered, flashing lights by the school, and
soon a four way stop on Route 9 near the school. The pace of change can be
frustrating, but giving up is less satisfying.
Know that you and WSMAC are making a difference by raising awareness,
confronting the problems that exist, and working with the powers that be to
make changes.
Thanks to all of you – because it is going to take all of us, community by
community, to make Maine better.
Best,
Angela
On Sat, Apr 27, 2019 at 11:35 AM Ann Peoples <annpeoples11630@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Our job is to educate about, and advocate for, accessibility for ALL! We
need to keep at it as frustrating as it is at times. DOT is starting to get
it but they are limited by the pitiful resources they have available!
Raise the fuel tax!!
Carson, you are a hero!
Call your Legislator!!
On Sat, Apr 27, 2019 at 11:09 AM Carson Wood <cwood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Good Morning.
I understand that I’m preaching to the choir in saying, it’s been a
really long Winter. I was shocked to hear that there still places that
have snow on the ground in Maine. I suppose I shouldn’t be because, now
that I think about it, where I grew up it was colder longer due to being
more inland.
I wanted to talk about when there was a time I confidently traveled
as a blind pedestrian regardless of the weather.
It is to be noted, that version of me could use landmarks to navigate
visually. The current version of me cannot.
To further throw a monkey rench into the works is the increasingly
aggressiveness of drivers pared with driver distraction.
The iceing on the cake is hearing my Brother, who happens to be the
President of NFB of Maine tell me that he would not travel in Westbrook
because he feels it is too dangerous.
My inner argument is, where is the line to be found between
independence and outright danger in simply trying to travel?
After such a long Winter I wrestle with trying to determine where
that line is?
In my mind wandering into the danger zone could easily happen as the
result of over confidence which I equate with stupidity that can result in
death.
I find myself boxed in and not liking it.
What do all of you think?
Carson.
