I walk a lot. I walk to the dog park, through the dog park, along the pathways, on the sidewalks, to the mailbox, to the store, to the train, in the north, in the south, through the rain, through the cold, at dawn, at dusk, when I’m sick and when I’m well. I walk enough to have a long list of pedestrian pet peeves.
Excluding the far out and sterile suburbs, Calgary streets are filthy, littered with cigarette butts, chewed up gum, food remains, packaging, tissues, drink containers, random liquids and oils, used condoms, plastic bags, newspapers, car parts, canine and human feces (I’ve seen it) and the worst offender in my mind, broken glass. I might not be as in tune with the condition of our sidewalks and streets if it weren’t for the four-legged companion who joins me. Unless the temperature drops below minus 10, unlike me, she’s not wearing shoes.
Litter turns my walking route into a field of landmines. It also gets washed with stormwater straight to the river. There’s a simple remedy to litter – use the proper receptacle.
Our shorter days make this time of year especially tricky as a pedestrian. Crossing the street is all-too-often risky because of impatient drivers and the lack of daylight only exacerbates the problem. I have, on several occasions, found myself stranded in the middle of a crosswalk with cars racing by in both directions. At both uncontrolled and controlled crosswalks, pedestrians have the right-of-way by law. Further, vehicles are required to stop and remain stopped until said pedestrians have made it to the other side of the road. This signals to other drivers to stop as well. I suggest drivers walk more often to fully comprehend the vulnerability of simply crossing a city street.
While many drivers don’t see me when I’d like to cross the street, too many infantile men do (and I’m sure I speak for many other women). I’m talking about the drive-by cat calls, hollering and whistling. It’s annoying, embarrassing and ineffective.
The drive-by spraying of water and slush is equally unnecessary. Add to the list cyclists who ride on sidewalks and residents who don’t clear snow and ice.
I’m asking fellow Calgarians to take note of these pedestrian pet peeves for the sake of me, my dog and the hundreds of thousands of other pedestrians who employ the simplest mode of transit each day.
Adrienne Beattie is a Calgary-born writer who has covered urban issues since 2001 and has an English degree from the University of Calgary.
