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I was excited to read “Taking a walk into the future: Penn State architectural students offer pedestrian-friendly ideas” on Dec. 14. It is great to know that students are brimming with ideas about how to make Greater Wilkes-Barre safer for pedestrians and more aesthetically pleasing, and great to know so many key players were on hand to exchange ideas.
For walkers and bikers, I’ve seen a great deal of ongoing improvements to trails for “weekend recreation,” but no practical improvements for those who need to or want to commute to work or to stores by foot or by bike.
I am amazed that with all of the recent strip mall construction in Wilkes-Barre Township, builders did not consider that not all residents have vehicles with which to access the many businesses there. I have seen many pedestrians and bikers of all ages and abilities on Mundy Street and near the arena, presumably going to work or going shopping.
There is little to no space for them. In some areas, there is simply is no shoulder to use. A consistently wide shoulder, or sidewalks, would at least appear safer. Ideally, a barrier between car traffic and foot/bike traffic would be needed to ensure safety.
One student mentioned risking her life to cross Wyoming Avenue when she had the “walk” signal. I can commiserate. When did pedestrians lose the right of way? Why are traffic patterns designed so that they disregard foot traffic?
Once, I was attempting to cross Carey Avenue at Division Street. The crosswalk was faded, and the yield lane near me allowed for a constant flow of traffic, preventing me from stepping out even when the “walk” sign lit in my favor. Perhaps a stop sign instead of a yield sign, and a clearly painted crosswalk, may prevent a future accident.
Thank you, young leaders, for your great ideas, and thank you Greater Wilkes-Barre leadership for listening and helping to make the ideas a reality.