5 Easy “Steps” To Improve Pedestrian Safety and Walkability

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By: Cindy Wiegand for Hoboken City Council LLC

When it comes to Hoboken transportation, pedestrians often feel that they are left out of the conversation. City Council candidate Cindy Wiegand is a pedestrian advocate who will change that.

“The city’s own data in the Vision Zero plan shows just how many people walk in Hoboken, yet the plan puts pedestrians at the back of the line when addressing their transportation needs. We need to ‘walk the talk’ if we are going to live up to our reputation as the most walkable city in America,” says Mrs. Wiegand.

“Step” 1: Make the lights longer for crossing Washington Street

As it is, unless you are the most alert sprinter, getting across Washington Street is no easy feat for pedestrians. Other forms of transportation run the red lights because the signal is short, which is an additional safety hazard. The solution is so easy, it is a wonder it has not been done yet. We need to add a few more seconds to the green light to give all sorts of transportation the time they need to cross the street.

“This one hits particularly close to home for me,” says Mrs. Wiegand. “Corralling my three kids to cross the street before the light changes is among the most humbling exercises for someone with a young family.” Mrs. Wiegand continues, “And the time I broke my foot and was walking through Hoboken on crutches, it was nearly impossible to cross in time. It is vital that we give those with mobility issues ample time to cross the street safely.”

“Step” 2: Enforce traffic laws for all types of vehicles

As anyone who has walked through Hoboken knows, there are many people on many types of wheel-based transportation that do not obey the traffic laws, making walking dangerous for even the most alert pedestrian. We must have equitable enforcement of traffic laws, so pedestrians can feel as safe as possible.

“Step” 3: Add stop signs to corners where there is low pedestrian visibility

Rather than remove parking spaces, let’s add stop signs to the most dangerous corners in the heart of Hoboken.

“When I drive there are times I can’t see pedestrians coming and, as a driver, I would love for there to be stop signs so that both I and any pedestrians feel secure that we won’t collide,” explains Mrs. Wiegand. “Yes, more stopping can be annoying, but the predictability of the stop sign beats the ‘slow creep’ method that cautious drivers currently use.”

“Step” 4: Make it easier for cars to find parking spaces

So much of the discussion about pedestrian safety ignores that making parking easier will lead to less circling, double-parking, and driver frustration that no doubt contribute to the dizzy dance between cars and pedestrians.

“It seems so intuitive, but nobody is saying it aloud—making parking difficult makes walking more dangerous. If we make parking easier —whether it be with better signage on the streets, directions about how to get to garages or maximizing the number of spaces available in the city—it will get cars looking for a spot off the street more quickly. Making parking easier will reduce the time cars spend driving around, lowering the potential for car-involved pedestrian incidents,” says Mrs. Wiegand.

“Step” 5: Revisit the city’s “Vision Zero” plan and get more input from various pedestrian and city stakeholders

Vision Zero has the goal of pedestrian safety, but the final plan does not appear to have the consultation of pedestrian advocates, people with families, seniors, people with mobility issues, small business owners, among other stakeholder groups.

“Vision zero has noble goals,” explains Mrs. Wiegand, “but it was obviously written by consultants—similar to the Washington St. redesign—who do not understand the nuances of everyday life in Hoboken and who are not going to have to live with the consequences of their recommendations.”

Mrs. Wiegand continues, “At minimum, we need to get feedback and input from different segments of pedestrians before it is implemented, so we don’t spend time and money on something that will not adequately serve our pedestrian population.”

The best part about walking through The Mile Square is that it is the greenest form of transportation. Good for the body, good for the environment, and good for the soul—just by putting one foot in front of the other!

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