Pedestrian First: A pedestrian safety and awareness camapign

[anish anand]

Hello fellow group members,

At the outset, I'd like to thank you for your interest and support in making Gurgaon a better, sustainable and liveable city.

I'm sure you all have noticed how our roads look like a much more dramatic and chaotic version of the 90's PC game "Road Rage". How we feel like everyone on the road is an enemy we need to beat (or beat up). True, we (barely) manage not to drive over the pedestrians (in most cases), but the words we share with each other on the roads would not have been considered appropriate even for a 'R' rated game. 

Have you ever wondered what happens to us as soon as we hit the road? We normally set out in a good mood, but by the (long) time we reach, it's a different story. 

My name is Anish Anand and I'm a resident of Tatvam Villas, just off Sohna Road and with the help and support of various individuals and organisations working for the betterment of Gurgaon, we're setting out with a vision to:

Bring a change in the usage of roads to more responsible and considerate ways, to the point that it's a pleasant experience for everyone from pedestrians to heavy vehicle operators and even passengers.

 

Case for Action: 

As per the definition, a 'Road' is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places that has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by foot or some form of conveyance, including a motor vehicle, cart, bicycle, or horse (and many more forms prevalent in Gurgaon)

But to us, it seems roads are designed and considered to be primarily for the movement of motor vehicles, and pedestrians and cyclists are seen as obstructions to this movement. This mindset causes disharmony between the various road users. The impact of that is visible on our everyday life and how we feel when we're on the road, unsafe, vulnerable, hurried, agitated, impatient,...the list goes on.

Plan: 

Develop the campaign of "Pedestrian First" initiated by I am Gurgaon.

Considering pedestrians right of way can the first step towards a changing the mindset that roads are made only for vehicles. 

The campaign can have various touch points, from visual (banners, hoardings etc), on ground (community walks and rides, neighbourhood activations, flashmobs, demonstrations) to educational (workshops/ courses to educate people)

Implementation:

We identify and focus our efforts along one stretch of the road to easily act and implement this plan. This will serve as the prototype for the movement, which can then be customised and replicated for other locations based on the results and feedback.

My proposal:  A 2 km stretch of Sohna Road, from Subhash Chowk to Vatika City intersection, sees all modes of transports and is at least in the peak hours, choc-a bloc. No real provisions for pedestrian crossings, and the gaps in the medians are too few and far flung and hap hazard crossings (like at CD chowk) causes further blocks.

This stretch also has residential, office complexes and shopping malls and even schools to benefit everyone by being a walkable stretch and can be a perfect example of how a major road can be accommodating and symbiotic for all road users. 

Can you imagine Sohna Road as a destination like that?

In my opinion it is a good place to start with. But please feel free to suggest other options.

Once again, this is open for discussion and I'd greatly appreciate it if all of you can give it some time and thought and let me know what you think of the same. 

Also, wherever possible, please do see and mention any references you think are in line and can be mutually benefitted.

I eagerly look forward to hearing from all of you.

Cheers,

Anish Anand

167, Tatvam Villas, 

Sector 48, Gurgaon

Cell: 9930318282

[anish anand]

Co-incidentally, today happens to be 22nd of September! The World Car Free Day!

I feel it's a great day to start this conversation, no?

[Manas Fuloria]

Dear Anish,

 

Good to get your mail and I of course support your thoughts.

 

I would also propose Subedar Major Lakshmi Chand (Anath) Road as an intervention spot. Tens of thousands of cyclists and pedestrians walk into Udyog Vihar each day, many of them on that very road. As one of the companies located there, we will be willing to invest in pedestrian and cyclist facilities there.

 

Best regards,

Manas

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[Mukta Naik]

Yes, an important conversation. Thanks, Anish. I live on Sohna Road and happy to contribute in whatever way possible...

Regards

Mukta

Mukta Naik

Architect and urban planner

Senior Researcher, Centre for Policy Research

+91 9811407359
Personal blog: http://ramblinginthecity.wordpress.com/

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[Anish Anand]

Dear Manas,

Thank you for writing in.

My apologies that I didn't see this reply come in till today, I didn't know an approval was required for them to show up.

Thank you for the proposal. We can consider it as well for the activations that we plan.

Thank you for your support.

Cheers,
Anish

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[Anish Anand]

Hey Mukta,

Great to have your support. I will be adding you to the whatsapp group we have created for the same, as managing responses here is a bit unclear to me.

Hope thats fine.

Cheers,

Anish

[Anish Anand]

Hello Everyone,

Hope all's well as we move closer to the festive season.

To take the conversation forward from last time, where I had proposed to take a stretch on Sohna Road and work on it to make it friendly for pedestrians and other NMT, I'd like to present a way forward.

As Raahgiri moves into 5th year and has been a resounding success with people from all walks, I think we can safely say that given the opportunity, people do want to reclaim the streets and use them in their own various ways. 

I think it's time to show that a co-existence of motorised and pedestrian traffic is possible, esp. in highly populated areas. It works 'quite' efficiently in South Mumbai, I guess Gurgaon should be given a chance too.

Most of this information (and inspiration) is courtesy the recent workshop on Urban and Road design held by WRI and IRC. So thank you to all those involved.

Case for action:

Over usage of cars leading to:

o   Congestion

o   Sedentary life styles

o   Poor Social life

o   Pollution

o   The children and elderly being discouraged to go near the roads

o   Safety on the roads becoming a big concern

 

The roads getting more and more skewed towards vehicles. To the point that two wheelers are beginning to claim the sidewalks.

Govt not taking appropriate action to bring equality back to the streets, as the demand is not made by public yet.

 

 

What we need to do is bring public's awareness to the impact of this 'progress' on our lives and consequently get them to demand the right of access to the roads and sidewalks.

 

Share the Road: Walk for Change

What is it:
A walking event held on the sidewalks, which invites the community to complete a course of the neighbourhood at their own pace. Discover various things on offer, get entertained and along the way socialise and bond with your neighbourhood community. 

 

Objective:

·      To reclaim roadsides as public and social spaces and a part of everyday life.

·      Reduce the dependance on cars for nearby destinations

·      Make the roads feel safe, esp. for elderly and children.

·      Design for accessibility for all, including disabled and elderly.

·      To prove that a co-existence of motorised and non-motorised traffic is possible and actually works better.


Results we’re looking to achieve (Possible partners in brackets):

 

·      Reduction in traffic by encouraging walking to nearby destinations like Schools, Supermarkets, Gyms etc

·      Better design of roads to accommodate pedestrians and clear and easy access/ facilities to cross (WRI/ NACTO)

·      Speed restrictions to be introduced in highly populated areas (IRC)

·      Better management and flow of traffic to be designed (WRI/ NACTO)

·      Accommodation of cyclists (demarcated and separated lane) (WRI/ NACTO)

·      Pavements to be maintained

·      Ensuring Inclusivity for elderly and disabled (Samarthyam)

·      Designing of features to make the road feel more safe, esp for the women, children and elderly (Safetipin)

·      Rearrangement of the hawkers and vendors along the sides of the road

·      Local businesses to participate and promote the cause as it leads to higher sales for them

·      Promote presence of Public conveniences

·      Clarity on the efficient use of service roads (WRI)

·      Beautification and ‘greening’ the route (Centre for Green Mobility)

·      Better Drainage systems (Centre for Green Mobility)

·      Better Parking Management and stop and allocated go places for Public transport (CSE)

This concept can be tested out at any location with enough residential and commercial communities like MG Road or Sohna Road and then replicated for any other street, based on the response.

Once again, this is open for discussion and I'd greatly appreciate it if all of you can give it some time and thought and let me know what you think of the same. 

Also, wherever possible, please do see and mention any references you think are in line and can be mutually benefitted.

I eagerly look forward to hearing from all of you.

Cheers,

Anish Anand

Share the Road Initiative

Cell: 9930318282

[Arti Jaiman]

Dear Anish,

Making our roads pedestrian-friendly is a critical need. I agree with Manas that the area in Udyog Vihar, between Kapashera border and beyond Maruti factory is need of urgent intervention, especially given the hundreds of thousands of workers (literally) who walk that route to and from work. Women are especially vulnerable, and many return from shifts even late night. The nearby villages of Mullahera, Dundahera and Kapashera are the main hubs where workers stay, and we must find a way to create pedestrian paths and crossover points for them.

I would be happy to help in reaching out to the community, since we run a community radio station in Gurgaon. (Gurgaon Ki Awaaz 107.8 FM).

Regards

Arti

Virus-free. www.avast.com

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Arti Jaiman

Phone: +91 9811126336
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When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

[anish anand]

Dear Arti,

Thank you for reaching out and proposing an area.

Let's please discuss how to take this forward. 

Now I'm no expert and as per my learning from the recent interactions with the experts, the govt doesn't make a move, unless there's a public outcry for the same. So I'm working on ways to get the awareness out, bring it to the notice of what they should rightfully have and get the people to demand for it. 

Let's discuss how to bring about that awareness and I'm sure we'll be able to get together a team that could look at changes required to make these roads safer. 

Cheers,

Anish

9930318282

[Devinder Chopra]

Dear Friends,

                     i hear you. Keep it up. Will continue to be supportive....

 

Much, in fact 99% will depend on you all & i, because the system of the different authorities, will move, eventually to lend a supporting hand. 

But will never own it up and make it part of their services, so as to have the NGOs expand the same elsewhere in Gurugram .

They will be positive, ephemerally because, the Chief here or in Chandigarh, decrees it to be so. Period. It will not get integrated and then expanded in the city's facillitative or viable, physical areas !

It looks (and sounds) good but depends so much on a "hukum" by the head of the Babugiri. But rarely, if ever, gets to be part of the system. Only then can it all get to integrated.

May be i am looking for the moon, and i do own up for being far too demanding. Many of my friends say : "Dev, stop being too negative".

Yet, i learn not being far too realistic which our system is NOT. 

It goes by the "firmans" that last temporarily. That indeed is the Truth.

Best regards and Peace.

dev chopra in gurugram

9810338049

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