Sharon Bensing: "Pedestrian Unfriendly", News4Jax

[Metro Jacksonville]

Sharon Bensing:  "Pedestrian Unfriendly", News4Jax



MetroJacksonville.com is working with Ana Kamiar, MFA, of the Art Institute of Jacksonville to create a series of student created photo essays that highlight the people, environment, culture and thoughts of the metro Jacksonville region.

This is their response.

Images by Sharon Bensing.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-jul-sharon-bensing-pedestrian-unfriendly-news4jax

[BigGuy219]

As someone who relies solely on public transportation and walking this barely illustrates the problem us walkers have here in Jacksonville.

This is a car community, and that won't change.

But as someone who walks I have had to make major lifestyle changes because of it.

As an example, the closest Walmart to downtown is the one on Phillips Highway near University.

The bus drops you off in front of it, but if you want to go back to town you have to cross Phillips Highway in about 8 seconds ... all while trying to carry your packages.

I crossed Phillips Highway once . . . once.

Now I go 10 miles North to the Walmart at the River City Marketplace just to avoid getting hit by cars.

Even crossing Riverside after going to my doctor, or to get to Memorial Park, is sometimes a challenge.

The only place it's easy? Downtown of course!

I once asked a police officer what the penalty for jaywalking was in this town. He deadpanned, "Getting hit by a car." We both smiled as we looked both ways and couldn't see a car as far as the eye could see. I  then promptly jaywalked across and survived!