2023-11-04 16:00:00
Twice this year Vecherka addressed the topic of traffic on the sidewalks. People are tired of these street “stuntmen” robbing us of a full sense of freedom. I heard a lot of approving and positive responses. But not from those on whom this order depends. This is what our journalist Tamara Glushchenko wrote about in September:
“If a person has a choice of which central street to walk along the north-south axis, he will choose Sovetskaya Street. The special seething energy of this place would be even more attractive if not for one “but”.
Paradoxically, a pedestrian street is especially dangerous for pedestrians. Despite the fact that for more than a year there have been signs prohibiting the passage of bicycles, two-wheeled riders cruise around as if nothing had happened. It is a rare law-abiding person who dismounts and leads his “donkey” nearby. Few riders steer sanely, keeping the proper distance from passers-by. At the same time, the contingent involved in extreme high-speed maneuvering stands out, as if under the motto “go around the obstacle.” The obstacle, of course, is the ordinary passersby who are forced into this situation. On the pedestrian street, already narrowed by numerous outdoor platforms, the flow of people increases every year. Feeling their impunity, cyclists assert themselves in their agility, not at all embarrassed by the risk to which they expose the people they overtake.
Scooter riders also keep up with the bicycle stuntmen. The outrageous somersaults of reckless drivers are very similar to banal hooliganism; they clearly assign the role of hostages to passers-by. It’s as if we must move strictly in line, not make any sudden body movements and strictly control our children in a fixed trajectory. A careless step to the side can lead to an accident.” And this applies not only to Sovetskaya, but also to Pushkinskaya, Marx, Masherov and other streets in the center and neighborhoods.
In another article, we made a convincing argument about how the Parisian authorities held a referendum on the question of whether citizens consider it right to ban scooters on the sidewalk altogether? And as the survey results showed, 89% of residents approved of the ban. As a result, since September 1, the countless numbers of scooters for rent have completely disappeared from the streets of Paris. And, in fact, what prevents a similar referendum from being held in Brest? I remember that even the head of state himself two years ago did not exclude such a possibility for the residents of Brest on an equally pressing issue, although the situation on the sidewalks concerns everyone living.
And recently the author of these lines visited Warsaw. So, on October 20, the Warsaw city guard (an analogue of our patrol service) received the right to fine cyclists and electric scooters for violating the rules of riding on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
Bicycle traffic in the city has increased by 11% over the past year, and the number of gastro couriers is also growing. According to estimates by city officials, the bicycle network in Warsaw has reached 750 kilometers in length. At the same time, the expansion of infrastructure for cyclists has practically come to a standstill – all simple and inexpensive projects have already been completed.
In this situation, many cyclists ride on the sidewalks in violation of the rules, fearing to use wide roadways where cars move. Some bike paths, even the most popular ones, end abruptly at sidewalks.
And in Poland, driving on sidewalks is allowed only if the speed limit on the roadway nearby exceeds 50 km/h – or when accompanied by a child under the age of ten years.
It is noteworthy that, unlike the Brest rules, there are no passages for cyclists at many intersections. According to the rules, you need to get off the two-wheeler and drive it along the zebra crossing.
Contrary to the rules introduced in 2021, users of electric scooters and other vehicles often exceed the permissible speed limit – YOU CANNOT RIDE A SCOOTER ON SIDEWAYS FASTER THAN PEDESTRIANS WALK.
Previously, only the police could issue fines in such cases. Now the city guard has been given this right. For violating the ban on driving on the sidewalk or crosswalk, the guard may impose a fine of 50 to 100 zlotys (from 12 to 25 dollars). In turn, with a fine of 50 to 200 zlotys (from 12 to 50 dollars), guards can now punish people who, without having authority, drive a “non-motorized vehicle” on a public road, in a residential area and in a traffic zone. Bicycles also fall into this category.
However, Paris is far away, some will say. And they will be right – where is Brest and where is Paris! But what prevents you from sending the Brest traffic police chief on a business trip to Warsaw? Maybe after this the sidewalks in Brest will no longer be a place of danger for pedestrians.
Vladimir MURAVSKY
#FREEDOM #RIDE #Evening #Brest