PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY IS THE FUTURE

MORE THAN 1/3 OF AMERICANS CANNOT/DO NOT DRIVE

Bicycle delivery bike parking lot at 11th Street and 1st Avenue in the Lower East Side.

Each of the hundreds of bikes takes a delivery vehicle off the street and reduces pollution and congestion.

The more we emphasize multimodal mobility, the more we can design wide sidewalks to accommodate wheelchair users and other people with disabilities.

The more we reduce car dependency, the more critical mass we’ll have for train, bus and gondola transportation that is fully accessible and inclusive to all.

PROUD TO HAVE CREATED MORE THAN 5,000 BLOG POSTS

MOST ADDRESS HOW TO CREATE A BETTER BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHILE UPLIFTING URBAN QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL

In the past decade and a half, I have created 5,000+ original posts for my blog – “Urban Travel, Sustainability & Accessibility.”

 

I have shared travel images from nearly 50 major cities, where I have worked to increase awareness of Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility.

 

While I have certainly posted on typical resiliency, sustainability and green building techniques – I define sustainability primarily as wheelchair access.

 

Because making something accessible from the start creates a home, office, school, park, store, etc. – the most flexible, adaptable and cost effective facility possible.

 

My posts have totaled well more than 1.3 million words.

 

That’s equal to the word count in 20 non-fiction books.

 

All of my content is posted free, virtually always with my own images – drawn from an  archive of 40,000+ fine art photographs, some of which have been featured at major galleries.

 

My blog has drawn more than 4 million unique visitors, starting with a few dozen per day and now building to well more than 30,000 each day.

 

That number rivals the average daily paid digital circulation of most major newspapers, including my hometown Miami Herald.

 

 

DISABILITY INCLUSION IN URBAN DESIGN AND TOWN PLANNING

IS NOT AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH TO BE IGNORED – PART II

Image is NYC mural by Yok & Sheryo

The award to the biggest rat bastard town planner goes to this ableist: 

I asked why his plan only showed stairs and no wheelchair access.

“Well, maybe if people walked more, they would never need wheelchairs, he said.

While exercise is great, imagine a renowned urban designer being so opposed to ADA inclusion that they created myths.

In their absurd world, a lack of ramps & elevators is a 100% protective shield against spinal cord injury, MS, MD, CP, aging & all mobility impairments!

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU A PACK OF IDIOTS DESIGNED AND BUILT SOMETHING TOTALLY OFF LIMITS TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LONG AFTER THE ADA WAS ENACTED?

THEY ONLY ADDED CRAPPY, BEGRUDGING ACCESS AFTER A LAWSUIT

The Vessel, a $200 million, 150-foot tall eyesore that serves as a monument to ableism.

As we celebrated the 36^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act this summer, remember that this giant middle finger to the ADA opened with virtually no wheelchair access. 

This supposedly immersive (but not inclusive) public art reopened after a massive redesign (not for more wheelchair access, but to prevent frequent suicides). 

It remains a gross example of toxic ableism in my book. 

PEOPLE DESERVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC PLACES AND SPACES

IF A GIANT FACILITY CAN RETROFIT FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESS, SURELY A POSTAGE STAMP SIZED PARK COULD MAKE THIS A FUNDING PRIORITY

Greenacre Park is a privately owned, publicly accessible "vest-pocket" park in Midtown Manhattan.

The urban oasis features a 25-foot waterfall that masks city noise.

It has a small cafe on East 51st St. between 2nd-3rd Aves.

Sadly, it does not have ramped access to the lower waterfall viewing area.

The elevated seating, under a canopy, that serves the café also is not accessible.

Though it was built before the ADA in 1971, surely this landmarked park could do some simple fundraising to become inclusive to all locals and visitors.

SUPER DISABILITY FRIENDLY, UNIVERSAL DESIGN VANGAURD

CURB EXTENSIONS MAKE THIS CROSSWALK SAFER FOR ALL

 

Kudos to these pedestrian friendly, super wheelchair accessible curb extensions.

They calm traffic while providing an excellent route for people with disabilities across Meridian Ave. at Lincoln Lane and just north of Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.

Every Miami Beach official embrace this and bring it to hundreds of other intersections.

People with disabilities depend on safe crosswalks.

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF AN OLD BUILDING

CANNOT CREATE SUBSTANDARD ACCESS 

FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

This is what happens when lazy/ableist city officials allow a new business to gut an old building but NOT make the entrance accessible to people with disabilities.

The high threshold results in no wheelchair access.

This is on Giralda in Coral Gables – where the city spent millions creating a people-friendly pedestrian district.

The city also could have raised the pavers to meet the threshold, but it neglected that as well.

Nearly a year ago, I was promised this would be fixed.

Lack of access means it is not friendly to people who use wheelchairs for mobility.

CITIES NEED TO CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

BEFORE ERECTING BARRIERS TO THEIR SAFE MOBILITY

 

I have criticized cities that put up giant bollards or oversized planters to block terrorists from driving into a street festival. 

Those monstrosities endanger wheelchair users who cannot see oncoming cars.

 

Coral Gables simply parked a pair of garbage trucks.

 

Problem solved.

PERIL FOR PEDESTRIANS

HUGE BUS SHELTER ADD BLOCKS VISION 

RIGHT AT A SIDEWALK PINCH POINT

This may be the world’s worst giant opaque advertising sign placement in history.

It creates a blind spot right at a narrow pinch point of sidewalk.

A cyclist who couldn’t see me crashed into me here on Alton Road just south of Lincoln Road.

This advertising revenue generator, masquerading as a bus shelter, provides no vision — for northbound cyclist — of what is coming southbound.

Miami Beach must fix this even if it’s a state road.

A wheelchair user could get killed.

MIAMI BEACH SHOULD BE SOUTH FLORIDA’S MOST DISABILITY-FRIENDLY CITY

BUT EVERY 10^TH STREET HAS A POORLY DESIGN, TERRIBLY BUILT        AND HORRIBLY MAINTAINED SIDEWALK

More than half of this sidewalk in a heavily pedestrian part of Miami Beach has a severe angle that makes it treacherous for people with disabilities.

It is on 16th St. at Lennox Ave. in Miami Beach.

Wheelchair mobility is virtually impossible.

Not only is the more level part closer to street (worse for pedestrian safety) but it also is an impossible route for wheelchair users -- because outside dining, valet stands and other obstructions block the pathway.

MIAMI IS SO DANGEROUS FOR PEDESTRIANS

THAT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY OPERATIONS BLOCK THE SAFE CROSSWALK

Only in Miami, the city that constantly tops lists of most dangerous places to be a pedestrian. 

Police vehicle at Miami Marlins ballpark is there for pedestrian safety.

So the car is parked so that it blocks 100% of the crosswalk.

NOT the logical approach to protecting wheelchair users, elderly, children, families, visually impaired folks — while crossing a dangerous road.

Sorry you can’t see crosswalk striping. 

Photo was taken from 50 feet away.

GREAT CITIES NEVER CLOSE SIDEWALKS DURING CONSTRUCTION

THEY VALUE THE LIVES, SAFETY AND DIGNITY OF PEDESTRIANS BY REQUIRING SCAFFOLDING TO MAINTAIN SIDEWALKS DURING YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

High praise for the wheelchair accessible, well-lit scaffolding around the historic Alfred I. DuPont Building in downtown Miami.

Sidewalks must always be open and safe during renovation and construction work.

Every city I have lived in, unless it was a 24-72 hour concrete pour, window installation or facade cleaning -- it was required to keep the pedestrian pathway clear.

Scaffolding maintained pedestrian mobility.

The example on Flagler at the DuPont and across the street at the Olympia are bright, light and almost artistic.

It floors me when the city allows a developer to close an entire sidewalk for two to three years of construction.

It violates the ADA, PROWAG, great governance, best practices, good business and basic human decency and inclusion.

VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR CITY FACILITATES LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING SIDEWALK SAFETY DURING DEVELOPMENT

MIAMI CLOSE SIDEWALKS FOR YEARS WHILE PEDESTRIANS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, RISK THEIR LIVES CROSSING THE STREET TO CONTINUE THERE JOURNEY

Is there something Miami’s water in that turns big developers & major construction firms into incompetent fools?

Because every city I have lived in + every city I have visited — does not close sidewalks for 3 years of work.

How is it that gigantic, 50-story buildings can be built everywhere else while maintaining sidewalks – but in Miami our development community is incapable of this simple task?

In Miami, we kill pedestrian safety for no reason.

There are 100s of American cities that require developers to maintain sidewalks during construction.

Simple scaffolding preserves safe mobility for pedestrians and independence for people with disabilities.

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

High praise to Avila Spain for creating ramped access to an area with benches & great views of the famous city walls. 

The Walls are ancient, but access for people with disabilities is a priority.

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

For years, the ancient city of Avila Spain has prided itself on expanding access for people with disabilities.

Because Ávila is built on a steep hill, the best way to reach the accessible portion of the Medieval walls is arriving by car or an adapted taxi. Exiting directly to the Puerta del Puente is recommended to avoid steep inclines from the upper city center. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

The ancient city of Avila Spain has been a pioneer in accessible tourism.

On top of the ancient defensive walls, the accessible pathway is mostly flat with some cobblestones. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

The ancient city of Avila Spain has long been at the vanguard of accessible tourism.

The Avila walls visitor reception area is connected by an accessible route and has manual wheelchairs available to borrow. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

The ancient city of Avila Spain has been a pioneer in accessible tourism.

Once at the top of some of the best preserved city walls in Europe, disabled visitors can enjoy a flat, 100-meter stretch of the battlement walk. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

For years, the ancient city of Avila Spain has prided itself on expanding access for people with disabilities.

An accessible portion of its famous city walls can be reached by ramp and elevator.

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

In addition to visiting a college campus, talking with students — especially students with similar disabilities — can give you a fuller picture of campus life.

Jonathan Lengel, who lives with congenital muscular dystrophy, (CMD) and uses a power wheelchair, is pursuing a double major in digital technologies/emerging media and music at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in New York City, asked Fordham to connect him to another wheelchair user on campus.

He asked them if campus facilities have accessible entrances, if elevators are well-maintained, and whether the university does a good job of clearing ice and snow from the accessible paths of travel.

It was invaluable to get this information from a source with lived experience.

“They are the keys to the kingdom — find out how their experience has been,” he says.