Whether it is crossing the road before the green man disappears, finding a spot to pause for breath, or identifying a landmark by which to navigate, getting out and about can be a challenge – particularly for older people or those with healthproblems.
Now experts say a slew of measures could help to make towns and cities more friendly for the modern population, whose lives have become longer and waistlines larger.time for everyone to cross the road.”
Among the proposed changes is an increase in the time given to people to cross the road.
An Active Travel England (ATE) spokesperson said: “We want to enable millions more people to travel by walking, wheeling and cycling for short trips. A big part of that is being able to make sure crossing times are inclusive so that they give enough
According to 2019 guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT), the assumed speed at which people cross a road can be decreased from 1.2 metres a second to 1 metre a second – a change of almost 20% – where there is a large number of slowerpedestrians, for example. Few councils, however, have adopted the change.
The shift is expected to be incorporated into guidance from ATE and linked to council funding.bins and poorly placed signage – would improve safety by removing obstacles.
While ATE said the guidance was still being finalised, it said changes to crossing times could be particularly beneficial for older people.
A study published in 2012 by researchers at University College London found that among people aged 65 or older, 76% of men and 85% of women had a walking speed below the 1.2 metres per second needed to use a pedestrian crossing.
“Crossing times can be a challenge, particularly for elderly and disabled people, and a bad experience is enough to put someone off doing it,” the ATE spokesperson said.
Stephen Edwards, the chief executive of the charity Living Streets, said the shift to a lower assumed walking speed would be welcome, noting the current value was calculated in the 1950s and had not changed since.
“People walking and wheeling shouldn’t have to race to get to safety. These updated guidelines are a step in the right direction,” he said.
The charity, which runs a number of campaigns to improve accessibility, is also calling for pedestrian crossings to stop the traffic more quickly, noting people were more likely to take risks when crossing roads if the delay was more than 30 seconds.
Better walkways also matter, it notes, with the charity’s research showing 31% of over 65s are prevented from walking on their local streets because of cracked pavements. Meanwhile, clutter-free pavements – cleared of badly parked scooters, wheelie
Edwards said more public toilets and places to pause when walking would be another positive outcome.less sustainable and less active ways to get around.”
“Places to rest are incredibly important for people who can’t walk long distances, including older people, those with chronic conditions or families with young children,” he said.
“We want people to walk more of their everyday journeys to improve health and reduce congestion, however, if people don’t have places to stop and rest or access to public bathrooms, they simply won’t make the journey or will be forced into using
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, also stressed the importance of such features for older people, adding good local amenities and public spaces also mattered. “Living a long fulfilling life is something we pretty much all aspire to, butone of the most important factors in helping us to live well for longer is our local environment,” she said.
With the number of people with dementia in the UK expected to rise from almost 900,000 in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2040, experts have also flagged adaptations that could help those with such conditions. These include legible streets signs, streets laidout in an irregular grid pattern, uncomplicated junctions, and distinctive features placed at decision points such as junctions.
But experts say it is not only elderly people, or those with dementia, who should be kept in mind.movable arms, expandable seat belts and the capacity to book two seats if required would make these spaces more accessible, she said.
Dr Rachel Colls at Durham University noted that there were also actions that could be taken to make urban spaces size-inclusive, such as making seating larger, that would also be beneficial for public transport. In this context having seats with
But, Colls added, it was not just the built environment that needed to change, but also the social one.
“Being a fat person in public space is difficult because attitudes towards fat people are so hostile,” she said. “That is what makes urban public spaces inaccessible: the fear of being judged, called names and being discriminated against.”
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/24/extend-green-man-crossing-times-cities-older-people
On 24/07/2023 05:21 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
Whether it is crossing the road before the green man disappears, finding
a spot to pause for breath, or identifying a landmark by which to
navigate, getting out and about can be a challenge – particularly for
older people or those with health problems.
Now experts say a slew of measures could help to make towns and cities
more friendly for the modern population, whose lives have become longer
and waistlines larger.
Among the proposed changes is an increase in the time given to people to cross the road.
An Active Travel England (ATE) spokesperson said: “We want to enable
millions more people to travel by walking, wheeling and cycling for
short trips. A big part of that is being able to make sure crossing
times are inclusive so that they give enough time for everyone to cross the road.”
According to 2019 guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT), the
assumed speed at which people cross a road can be decreased from 1.2
metres a second to 1 metre a second – a change of almost 20% – where
there is a large number of slower pedestrians, for example. Few
councils, however, have adopted the change.
The shift is expected to be incorporated into guidance from ATE and
linked to council funding.
While ATE said the guidance was still being finalised, it said changes
to crossing times could be particularly beneficial for older people.
A study published in 2012 by researchers at University College London
found that among people aged 65 or older, 76% of men and 85% of women
had a walking speed below the 1.2 metres per second needed to use a pedestrian crossing.
“Crossing times can be a challenge, particularly for elderly and
disabled people, and a bad experience is enough to put someone off doing
it,” the ATE spokesperson said.
Stephen Edwards, the chief executive of the charity Living Streets, said
the shift to a lower assumed walking speed would be welcome, noting the
current value was calculated in the 1950s and had not changed since.
“People walking and wheeling shouldn’t have to race to get to safety.
These updated guidelines are a step in the right direction,” he said.
The charity, which runs a number of campaigns to improve accessibility,
is also calling for pedestrian crossings to stop the traffic more
quickly, noting people were more likely to take risks when crossing
roads if the delay was more than 30 seconds.
Better walkways also matter, it notes, with the charity’s research
showing 31% of over 65s are prevented from walking on their local
streets because of cracked pavements. Meanwhile, clutter-free pavements
– cleared of badly parked scooters, wheelie bins and poorly placed
signage – would improve safety by removing obstacles.
Edwards said more public toilets and places to pause when walking would
be another positive outcome.
“Places to rest are incredibly important for people who can’t walk long >> distances, including older people, those with chronic conditions or
families with young children,” he said.
“We want people to walk more of their everyday journeys to improve
health and reduce congestion, however, if people don’t have places to
stop and rest or access to public bathrooms, they simply won’t make the
journey or will be forced into using less sustainable and less active ways to get around.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, also stressed the
importance of such features for older people, adding good local
amenities and public spaces also mattered. “Living a long fulfilling
life is something we pretty much all aspire to, but one of the most
important factors in helping us to live well for longer is our local
environment,” she said.
With the number of people with dementia in the UK expected to rise from
almost 900,000 in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2040, experts have also flagged
adaptations that could help those with such conditions. These include
legible streets signs, streets laid out in an irregular grid pattern,
uncomplicated junctions, and distinctive features placed at decision
points such as junctions.
But experts say it is not only elderly people, or those with dementia,
who should be kept in mind.
Dr Rachel Colls at Durham University noted that there were also actions
that could be taken to make urban spaces size-inclusive, such as making
seating larger, that would also be beneficial for public transport. In
this context having seats with movable arms, expandable seat belts and
the capacity to book two seats if required would make these spaces more
accessible, she said.
But, Colls added, it was not just the built environment that needed to
change, but also the social one.
“Being a fat person in public space is difficult because attitudes
towards fat people are so hostile,” she said. “That is what makes urban >> public spaces inaccessible: the fear of being judged, called names and
being discriminated against.”
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/24/extend-green-man-crossing-times-cities-older-people
The above is a load of trash.
Motor-vehicle drivers don't race off on green and amber and mow down pedestrians on crossings.
It's only chav-cyclists on their fairy-cycles who do that (to the rather limited extent that any of them stop at all, that is, at any sort of pedestrian crossing).
QUOTE: An Active Travel England (ATE) spokesperson said: “We want to enable millions more people to travel by walking, wheeling and cycling for short trips. A big part of that is being able to make sure crossing times are inclusive so that they giveenough time for everyone to cross the road.” ENDS
Good to see that they are applying this scheme to Toucan crossings as well. Should annoy the impatient Mr Toads.
On 24/07/2023 05:21 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
Whether it is crossing the road before the green man disappears,
finding a spot to pause for breath, or identifying a landmark by which
to navigate, getting out and about can be a challenge – particularly
for older people or those with health problems.
Now experts say a slew of measures could help to make towns and cities
more friendly for the modern population, whose lives have become
longer and waistlines larger.
Among the proposed changes is an increase in the time given to people
to cross the road.
An Active Travel England (ATE) spokesperson said: “We want to enable
millions more people to travel by walking, wheeling and cycling for
short trips. A big part of that is being able to make sure crossing
times are inclusive so that they give enough time for everyone to
cross the road.”
According to 2019 guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT),
the assumed speed at which people cross a road can be decreased from
1.2 metres a second to 1 metre a second – a change of almost 20% –
where there is a large number of slower pedestrians, for example. Few
councils, however, have adopted the change.
The shift is expected to be incorporated into guidance from ATE and
linked to council funding.
While ATE said the guidance was still being finalised, it said changes
to crossing times could be particularly beneficial for older people.
A study published in 2012 by researchers at University College London
found that among people aged 65 or older, 76% of men and 85% of women
had a walking speed below the 1.2 metres per second needed to use a
pedestrian crossing.
“Crossing times can be a challenge, particularly for elderly and
disabled people, and a bad experience is enough to put someone off
doing it,” the ATE spokesperson said.
Stephen Edwards, the chief executive of the charity Living Streets,
said the shift to a lower assumed walking speed would be welcome,
noting the current value was calculated in the 1950s and had not
changed since.
“People walking and wheeling shouldn’t have to race to get to safety.
These updated guidelines are a step in the right direction,” he said.
The charity, which runs a number of campaigns to improve
accessibility, is also calling for pedestrian crossings to stop the
traffic more quickly, noting people were more likely to take risks
when crossing roads if the delay was more than 30 seconds.
Better walkways also matter, it notes, with the charity’s research
showing 31% of over 65s are prevented from walking on their local
streets because of cracked pavements. Meanwhile, clutter-free
pavements – cleared of badly parked scooters, wheelie bins and poorly
placed signage – would improve safety by removing obstacles.
Edwards said more public toilets and places to pause when walking
would be another positive outcome.
“Places to rest are incredibly important for people who can’t walk
long distances, including older people, those with chronic conditions
or families with young children,” he said.
“We want people to walk more of their everyday journeys to improve
health and reduce congestion, however, if people don’t have places to
stop and rest or access to public bathrooms, they simply won’t make
the journey or will be forced into using less sustainable and less
active ways to get around.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, also stressed the
importance of such features for older people, adding good local
amenities and public spaces also mattered. “Living a long fulfilling
life is something we pretty much all aspire to, but one of the most
important factors in helping us to live well for longer is our local
environment,” she said.
With the number of people with dementia in the UK expected to rise
from almost 900,000 in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2040, experts have also
flagged adaptations that could help those with such conditions. These
include legible streets signs, streets laid out in an irregular grid
pattern, uncomplicated junctions, and distinctive features placed at
decision points such as junctions.
But experts say it is not only elderly people, or those with dementia,
who should be kept in mind.
Dr Rachel Colls at Durham University noted that there were also
actions that could be taken to make urban spaces size-inclusive, such
as making seating larger, that would also be beneficial for public
transport. In this context having seats with movable arms, expandable
seat belts and the capacity to book two seats if required would make
these spaces more accessible, she said.
But, Colls added, it was not just the built environment that needed to
change, but also the social one.
“Being a fat person in public space is difficult because attitudes
towards fat people are so hostile,” she said. “That is what makes
urban public spaces inaccessible: the fear of being judged, called
names and being discriminated against.”
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/24/extend-green-man-crossing-times-cities-older-people
The above is a load of trash.
Motor-vehicle drivers don't race off on green and amber and mow down pedestrians on crossings.
It's only chav-cyclists on their fairy-cycles who do that (to the rather limited extent that any of them stop at all, that is, at any sort of pedestrian crossing).
On 24. 7. 2023 18:49, JNugent wrote:
On 24/07/2023 05:21 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
Whether it is crossing the road before the green man disappears,
finding a spot to pause for breath, or identifying a landmark by
which to navigate, getting out and about can be a challenge –
particularly for older people or those with health problems.
Now experts say a slew of measures could help to make towns and
cities more friendly for the modern population, whose lives have
become longer and waistlines larger.
Among the proposed changes is an increase in the time given to people
to cross the road.
An Active Travel England (ATE) spokesperson said: “We want to enable
millions more people to travel by walking, wheeling and cycling for
short trips. A big part of that is being able to make sure crossing
times are inclusive so that they give enough time for everyone to
cross the road.”
According to 2019 guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT),
the assumed speed at which people cross a road can be decreased from
1.2 metres a second to 1 metre a second – a change of almost 20% –
where there is a large number of slower pedestrians, for example. Few
councils, however, have adopted the change.
The shift is expected to be incorporated into guidance from ATE and
linked to council funding.
While ATE said the guidance was still being finalised, it said
changes to crossing times could be particularly beneficial for older
people.
A study published in 2012 by researchers at University College London
found that among people aged 65 or older, 76% of men and 85% of women
had a walking speed below the 1.2 metres per second needed to use a
pedestrian crossing.
“Crossing times can be a challenge, particularly for elderly and
disabled people, and a bad experience is enough to put someone off
doing it,” the ATE spokesperson said.
Stephen Edwards, the chief executive of the charity Living Streets,
said the shift to a lower assumed walking speed would be welcome,
noting the current value was calculated in the 1950s and had not
changed since.
“People walking and wheeling shouldn’t have to race to get to safety. >>> These updated guidelines are a step in the right direction,” he said.
The charity, which runs a number of campaigns to improve
accessibility, is also calling for pedestrian crossings to stop the
traffic more quickly, noting people were more likely to take risks
when crossing roads if the delay was more than 30 seconds.
Better walkways also matter, it notes, with the charity’s research
showing 31% of over 65s are prevented from walking on their local
streets because of cracked pavements. Meanwhile, clutter-free
pavements – cleared of badly parked scooters, wheelie bins and poorly
placed signage – would improve safety by removing obstacles.
Edwards said more public toilets and places to pause when walking
would be another positive outcome.
“Places to rest are incredibly important for people who can’t walk
long distances, including older people, those with chronic conditions
or families with young children,” he said.
“We want people to walk more of their everyday journeys to improve
health and reduce congestion, however, if people don’t have places to
stop and rest or access to public bathrooms, they simply won’t make
the journey or will be forced into using less sustainable and less
active ways to get around.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, also stressed the
importance of such features for older people, adding good local
amenities and public spaces also mattered. “Living a long fulfilling
life is something we pretty much all aspire to, but one of the most
important factors in helping us to live well for longer is our local
environment,” she said.
With the number of people with dementia in the UK expected to rise
from almost 900,000 in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2040, experts have also
flagged adaptations that could help those with such conditions. These
include legible streets signs, streets laid out in an irregular grid
pattern, uncomplicated junctions, and distinctive features placed at
decision points such as junctions.
But experts say it is not only elderly people, or those with
dementia, who should be kept in mind.
Dr Rachel Colls at Durham University noted that there were also
actions that could be taken to make urban spaces size-inclusive, such
as making seating larger, that would also be beneficial for public
transport. In this context having seats with movable arms, expandable
seat belts and the capacity to book two seats if required would make
these spaces more accessible, she said.
But, Colls added, it was not just the built environment that needed
to change, but also the social one.
“Being a fat person in public space is difficult because attitudes
towards fat people are so hostile,” she said. “That is what makes
urban public spaces inaccessible: the fear of being judged, called
names and being discriminated against.”
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/24/extend-green-man-crossing-times-cities-older-people
The above is a load of trash.
Motor-vehicle drivers don't race off on green and amber and mow down
pedestrians on crossings.
It's only chav-cyclists on their fairy-cycles who do that (to the
rather limited extent that any of them stop at all, that is, at any
sort of pedestrian crossing).
This chav-bicyclist on his fairy-bicycle stops at pedestrian crossings.
He loves observing the delicious mini-skirted floosies in their flimsy low-cut cop-tops wandering across the crossing.
On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 9:05:14 PM UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
He loves observing the delicious mini-skirted floosies in their flimsy
low-cut cop-tops wandering across the crossing.
At your age, I'd be very careful about admitting such things!
He loves observing the delicious mini-skirted floosies in their flimsy low-cut cop-tops wandering across the crossing.
QUOTE: According to 2019 guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT), the assumed speed at which people cross a road can be decreased from 1.2 metres a second to 1 metre a second – a change of almost 20% – where there is a large number ofslower pedestrians, for example. ENDS
Don't forget the time it takes for a chav-cyclist to dismount, walk across and then remount at the road on the other side.
On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 9:05:14 PM UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
He loves observing the delicious mini-skirted floosies in their flimsy
low-cut cop-tops wandering across the crossing.
At your age, I'd be very careful about admitting such things!
On 25. 7. 2023 10:20, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 9:05:14 PM UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
He loves observing the delicious mini-skirted floosies in their flimsy
low-cut cop-tops wandering across the crossing.
At your age, I'd be very careful about admitting such things!
Why?
I know what I like and don't care who else knows.
QUOTE: According to 2019 guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT), the assumed speed at which people cross a road can be decreased from 1.2 metres a second to 1 metre a second – a change of almost 20% – where there is a large number ofslower pedestrians, for example. ENDS
Don't forget the time it takes for a cyclist to dismount, walk across and then remount at the road on the other side.
On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 10:09:59 AM UTC+1, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:slower pedestrians, for example. ENDS
QUOTE: According to 2019 guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT), the assumed speed at which people cross a road can be decreased from 1.2 metres a second to 1 metre a second – a change of almost 20% – where there is a large number of
Don't forget the time it takes for a cyclist to dismount, walk across and then remount at the road on the other side.
I used to carry my bike across as "luggage" just to stay within the law 100%.
QUOTE: “People walking and wheeling shouldn’t have to race to get to safety. ENDS
Agreed - too many elderly people are harassed by impatient drivers
revving their engines and sounding their horns in a futile attempt to get them to hurry up. Longer red light times would be great.
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