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November 2003, #14
Let's Walk & Roll
The Holidays, only a walk away
Darkness is coming early, often before we leave the office.
Leaves on trees are disappearing rapidly. Crispness returns
to the air. That can only mean that the holiday season is
upon us. And with that comes the requisite shopping and holiday
events!
Many people will be home on vacation, children will be out
of school, kids will be returning from college, and visitors
will be plentiful over the next month. This results in increased
numbers of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists on the streets
and roadways.
While it may seem odd to talk about shopping (this is a walking
and biking column after all), we’d like to take the
time to remind everyone what a great community we have and
how immensely walkable and bikable it is. Great shopping is
just a few steps (or pedals) from your front door.
Park Street, Webster Street, South Shore Center, Harbor Bay
Landing, and Alameda’s Historic neighborhood Stations
provide an excellent selection of gift choices. (On a recent
trip to NYC it was surprising to find trendy boutiques selling
the same gift ideas as Alameda boutiques such as “Three
Wishes” on Park! whoda thunk it?!) All of these great
choices mean that it’s easy to support our community
businesses and get out and enjoy the holiday spirit by choosing
to stroll from our house to the store, pedal across town to
that special tea house, or, if you absolutely have to leave
town to shop, catch the new bicycle ferry service from Chevy’s
to Jack London Square (Weekends, starting in December!).
One of the positive things that increasing biking and walking
in our community brings, is a greater use of local businesses,
thus strengthening the city’s tax base and allowing
for a greater proliferation of businesses that match our needs
and desires.
While out and about, whether walking or biking, it’s
important to be attentive to our surroundings. Motorists &
bicyclists need to make sure they don’t take unnecessary
risks. At this time of year, it’s harder to see when
dark and if the roadways are wet. Drivers should avoid trying
to beat the orange light and risk running a red light.
No matter what mode you use, approach every intersection and
crosswalk as if someone is about to step into it. Pay attention!
Bikes and drivers should always yield the right of way to
pedestrians in crosswalks. It is the law! Pedestrians should
stop before entering a crosswalk. Darting suddenly or unexpectedly
into traffic is a reckless act.
Be seen! Pedestrians and cyclists should wear something bright.
Drivers need to obey the speed limit, and when getting out
of the car, watch for bicyclists when opening your door. (Opening
a car door in the path of cyclists is one of the top reasons
for bicyclist injuries).
Walk,
drive and bicycle as if your life depended on it. Let’s
hear the joyful sounds of the holidays, not the wailing sound
of sirens. We want you around to ring in the new year!
Happy Holidays!
Jeff Swatman is the Alameda Police Department Traffic
Sergeant. If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle
safety, please call him at 748-4508 extension 3342. John Knox
White and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly
Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org)
and BikeAlameda (www.bikealameda.org).
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