Third Most Walkable City in Canada?

NNB

They should clarify that distinction to "most drive to walking destinations". I walk often and I find "dangerous" to be a better descriptor than anything else when it comes to walking in the city of Nanaimo and the fact that it's dangerous seems almost entirely attributed to the lack of sidewalks this city has built. Is this problem exclusively a South Nanaimo problem or are there a lack of sidewalks on many main roads in North Nanaimo as well? Somehow I think not. 

With newer and more exclusive neighbourhoods, sidewalks being found on not only one side but both sides of the street is fairly common. What's ironic to me is that many of the people who live in neighbourhoods like these don't like to leave their overly large houses on small lots unless it's in their cars. Yes, this is a pretty big generalisation but in my experience a fair one. Most of these neighbourhoods don't offer anywhere to walk to even if you wanted to get out for a walk! They're residential labyrinths purposely designed to make it hard to find your way out once you've driven in. They're gateless (well, some are actually gated) gated communities with the only roads leading anywhere productive to be on the outside perimeter. So while they have sidewalks on each and every street winding this way and that, few people are out walking and less with any destination in mind.

There are many of us who can't afford to or simply can't imagine living in these kinds of subdivision "communities". I for one enjoy living in a small but decent sized home with character on a block where I know and talk to my neighbours. I like living where I can walk to the grocery store and enjoy all that the city's community has to offer in the way of parks and eateries. I like getting to know people and having people get to know me on my daily and evening walks. It is however a bit tiresome to be running from one side of a busy street to the other to avoid being hit by a speeding car because there are no sidewalks and no better place to cross when wanting to walk on the "safer" side of the sidewalkless street.

Look at Bruce Avenue as a prime example. This road has three schools located on it and doesn't have a sidewalk apart from a few random sections like the new addition of a one sided sidewalk next to the mall. So either kids are dangerously walking to school on the shoulder of the road each day or they are being driven to school however few blocks they live away. 

Pine Street is another street lacking in basic sidewalk requirements. Once it passes Third Street (or is it Fitzwilliam at this point?) it goes up over a limited vision hill and with the speed so many drive on this section of road a pedestrian must constantly be aware of impending danger. Pushing a stroller or wheelchair on this uneven gravel shoulder is next to impossible if your goal isn't to drive right into the littered bush. This road is even worst if cars are going top speed as it winds around to become Park Street. 

Harewood Road isn't much better unless you're talking about roads to successfully speed on. In that case it seems to be a very favourable road for that activity. Obviously a big part of the safety in walking on these roads has to do with drivers driving responsibly but this is a topic I'll save for a different blog posting.

I find myself questioning why $500,000 is being spend on "beautifying" a park that already exists and is already beautiful when the people who live here can't even walk to it in relative safety. Now I don't actually have a beef with money being spent on updating and renovating a park so it has a slightly different look for the sake of having it "feel" new and improved but it does seem to me like ridiculous city priorities.

I suppose that's how it works in bureaucracy and it's overwhelming singular interest in economy and wealth. Spend all the money on those who "contribute" most to the city. The tourists and those who live here who are more well to do. At least I imagine that's the city's thinking when it comes to city improvement projects. 

I'd like to see this city more useable for all the members of it. I believe something like sidewalks on at least one side of each street would enrich the community and offer a safer opportunity for people to leave their cars behind. It could encourage people to get outside where they would meet their neighbours and benefit their health and well being by moving their bodies and being in the fresh air.

There are a number of studies and books written about the enormous benefits of simply being outside. Studies that showed that sick people will recover at remarkable rates if they have even a small view of something outside. Children in particular can gain a great deal from being outside. Last Child in the Woods is a fantastic book outlining the pitfalls of our children being away from nature, including obesity and adhd type behaviour. 

The other obvious benefit of building sidewalks and walking when possible is not having to fill up your gas tank as often. With the ever growing cost of fuel it's a good time to be considering alternatives. Walking is certainly an affordable and proactive option.