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WALKING AND BIKING FOR TRANSPORTATIONWalkable Communities Photo Gallery |
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The bike racks, benches, trees and parking meters on this Santa Cruz street provide amenities and buffer pedestrians from the street without cluttering the sidewalk. Notice that trees are also used in the street, but that the tree wells are not big enough--the metal band around the trunk protects the tree from cars that are parked a little too close! |
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The vehicular entrance and exit points of this Los Gatos parking lot were placed on the side street instead of on the perpendicular main street (unseen, to the right), which carries a great deal of pedestrian traffic. This site design creates fewer conflicts between pedestrians and motorists entering and exiting the lot. However, because the lot is in front of the business, it creates longer walking and cycling trips for customers coming from the main street. |
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Curb extensions can be used to shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians and improve their visibility to other road users. Diagonal parking is being used on this Chicago street to both calm traffic and provide more spaces. The lamps illuminate instead of dominate the streetscape, which also features interesting storefronts. |
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This youth center in Wattsonville, CA is pedestrian friendly, in part because the main entrance is located at the corner instead of behind a parking lot. It is located at the intersection of two calm streets, but is within quick walking distance of the main commercial area and central plaza. |
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 These alleys in Seattle are pedestrian havens and provide shortcuts to businesses. In the picture to the right, a car and the two pedestrians passed one another slowly and without incident. The benches and planters in front of the stores take up very little space. |
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Motorized through traffic is discouraged on this commercial street in Santa Cruz, even though access is allowed. This keeps speeds low, and creates an added incentive for walking (it's the quickest, most direct way to get around.) |
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The houses on the right sit on the former site of a shopping mall and parking lot in Mountainview, CA. A train station is across the street. The curb extension keeps cars from parking all the way to the corner (making it easier for motorists and pedestrians trying to cross a street to see each other). However, it is not so large that it conflicts with the bike lane. The bike lane helps calms traffic by narrowing the other lane. The slight bend of the road can also help keep speeds down. |
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This traffic circle is part of Palo Alto's Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard. Different traffic calming devices are used on this street to discourage fast, motorized through traffic (a major arterial a few blocks over serves this need). Cyclists can ride for blocks without encountering a stop sign or traffic signal. |
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This used to be a high speed intersection in an otherwise quiet residential area. Asphalt was replaced by the tree and plants on the right side of the sidewalk (you can see the original curb line in the foreground.) Motorists are now forced by street design to take the turn slowly--and the added green space is an extra benefit. |
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Block parties are festive, but temporary traffic calming devices. Fortunately, communities can also make choices that will help keep streets safe and pleasant even after the table and chairs are cleared away. |
Last updated April 22, 2001 |
