Sidewalks: A cost-effective way to save lives

I deal with neighborhood residents concerned about the news of receiving new sidewalks every week.

We have serious problems with the condition and availability of sidewalks in downtown Apopka – both county and city areas. Additionally, I recently read an article by Jeff Speck about why our cities need a “downtown walkability plan”.

Orange County Commissioner District 2 Christine Moore

Walkability is a much-needed topic for us in District 2. 

The county is committed to the federal Vision Zero Plan, which states as its goal, that even one traffic fatality is too many. The plan lists adding sidewalks as the most effective the lowest cost remedy for saving lives. I routinely hear “No one walks in our neighborhood”, and I can agree with them at present. I wouldn’t be walking in the roadway without a sidewalk, either. But, if they want to increase home values and increase interest by younger families buying real estate - adding sidewalks is a great tactic.

I must add that most homeowners are happy once sidewalks, aprons, and sod are fully installed.

I recently rode my bicycle from the Wekiwa Springs area south on Sheeler, up 6th street, across the West Orange Trail Bridge back to Votaw Road and home. I was terrified of crossing Sheeler between SR 436 and US 441. There were no sidewalks and only a partial shoulder. While I’m adding sidewalks in the county gaps along Sheeler Road from US 441 south to Apopka Blvd and in the Southeast Apopka Area - they are not yet installed.

These sections of new sidewalks will help safety immensely.

So, it was a challenge riding my bike downtown. As I reached 6th Street in the city – the three-foot sidewalks were generally cracked, and the grass was not edged. I had only about 18 inches of clearance for my bike. I had to steer with fidelity.  

6th Street and the walkability of the entire downtown area are vital to the success of the new Apopka Main Street and establishments on 5th Street. Sidewalk repair and new installation must be a priority. Let’s work together to get it done. We want people excited to bike downtown.

I have also come across an article about the necessity of creating downtown walkability plans. I agree because a plan would prioritize the most important streets and provide some economy during installation. The author, Jeff Speck, claims people will choose to walk when walking is useful, comfortable, safe, and interesting. Proper zoning codes, incentives, and a bit of handholding will assist a municipality in achieving just the right mix of pedestrian-safe infrastructure.

The objective of a walkability plan is to make walking and biking safer while helping businesses to thrive. The strategy also includes the importance of discouraging illegal speeding. He lists the following additional tactics: removing excess lanes, putting a few four-lane roads on a diet, right-sizing lanes, redirecting reclaimed street spaces to bike lanes, reverting multilane one-way streets to two-way, replacing signals with all-way stop signs (city only), tightening oversized intersections, protecting curbs with parallel parking and trees, striping parking but not centerlines, and following the data. (www.cnu.org)

While some of these measures seem a bit extreme, I believe we can glean some good ideas for our local communities. A solid plan to keep our drivers, walkers, and bikers safe is beneficial for everyone.