A walkable city: But pedestrians could use improvements

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GMI

Eugene has been declared one of the nation's best places for walking - No. 8 among the country's 200 biggest cities, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. The ranking is welcome recognition of the fact that the amenities that are so famously prized by runners serve walkers as well. These amenities are shared by Springfield and other local communities, so the penumbra of Eugene's ranking extends beyond the city limits.

Eugene seems slightly out of place on the list. All but one of the cities that were ranked higher are much bigger: San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York City. The exception - No. 1-rated Arlington, Va., is directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., and should have been counted as a suburb of the capital.

All of the big cities on the list are good places to walk, sometimes because it's hard to drive and impossible to park, but the experience is different than in Eugene. Walking in Eugene is about being part of nature, which can't be said for walking in New York or San Francisco.

The association compiled its rankings based on such criteria as the percentage of residents who exercise regularly and the percentage who take public transportation to work. The latter criterion explains why so many big cities made the list. The former explains Eugene's presence among the rankings, because Eugene, by reputation at least, is a fitness-minded community.

What ought to matter above all, however, is whether a city's environment is pedestrian-friendly. By that standard Eugene gets good ratings - but there's plenty of room for improvement.

For instance, too many Eugene streets lack sidewalks. In some cases, the lack of sidewalks means that pedestrians must walk along a narrow shoulder between heavy traffic and a ditch. Among the areas without sidewalks are long-established neighborhoods that by now should have had time to remedy this deficiency. A walkable city ought to have a long-term plan to install sidewalks, particularly in areas near schools or along routes heavily used by pedestrians.

Then there's the constant problem of conflicts with other modes of transportation. Where sidewalks exist, bicyclists will often claim them. Automobile drivers often seem blind to pedestrians, even in crosswalks. Add in skateboarders, electric scooters, in-line skates and every other conceivable conveyance with wheels, a motor or both, and walkers are too often in danger of being bowled over, pushed aside or mowed down.

Walking is good for the heart; it's a recommended form of cardiovascular exercise. It's good for the mind; nothing clears the cobwebs better than a stroll. It's good for the community; walkers get to know their neighbors. It's good for the environment; walking doesn't pollute the air. A city where it's possible to walk easily is a city where it's possible to live well. Eugene can be proud of its ranking, while recognizing that there's always more to be done.