Pedestrian rights, explained to children

SDC10847
CONVENTION ON RIGHT OF PEDESTRIANS



What is being a pedestrian?

Being a pedestrian is a natural characteristic of all human beings who can walk.
Persons with walking disabilities, who use wheel-chairs, are also regarded as pedestrians.
Cyclists are pedestrians.
Coaches and carts are considered as pedestrians.
Pedestrians are the true owners of the city.
Pedestrians have rights.
In cities, people may not want to use motor vehicles to go from place to place, to sightsee or to stroll around.
They may not want to hear noises of the engines as they go from place to place.
They may just want to walk.
They may not want to inhale exhaust fumes; they may prefer to walk through the scent of flowers on a sunny day.
They may not want to hear honks but prefer to hear the birds singing.
People have the right to walk, keeping their clothes clean, instead of being splattered mud all over them on a rainy day.
They have the right to walk in safety and not under the danger of being run over by a car.
They have the right not to want to climb up pedestrian bridges.
They have the right not to want to climb down pedestrian subways.
Pedestrians have the right to cross the road without having to use stairs.
People have the right to refuse to walk on pedestrian ways that become impossible to use because of cars and other vehicles parked on them.
Every human being has the right to go from place to place on foot in all areas of settlement.
Every human being has the right to stroll around.
Being a pedestrian doesn’t hurt anyone.
It doesn’t pollute the environment.
It doesn’t deplete the world’s resources.
Being a pedestrian is necessary for human health.
It develops urban social relations.
It helps citizens get to know and understand each other.
That’s why it is necessary for urban life.
Urban administrators encourage being a pedestrian.


Rights on Pedestrian Ways;

All settlement areas have a web of pedestrian pavements.
Pedestrian pavements have to be built on traffic roads.
Pedestrian ways only belong to pedestrians.
Motor vehicles cannot park on pedestrian ways.
Pedestrian ways are not for shops to make sales and open stalls.
Pedestrian ways are built wide enough for people to walk comfortably.
They have proper heights so that children, older persons, persons with disabilities and pregnant and ill people can easily step up and down.
Special arrangements are made for persons with disabilities.
Road and traffic signs, bus stops, traffic lamps on pedestrian ways are placed such that they will not block pedestrian routes.
Anything that may discomfort or endanger pedestrians will not be permitted on pedestrian ways.


Rights on Pedestrian Crossings;

Pedestrians are the true owners of cities.
Adequate pedestrian ways are built for pedestrians.
In crossings, ground floors belong to pedestrians.
Pedestrians use crossings without stairs in crossing over.
The right of way belongs to pedestrians, not vehicles.
Pedestrians cannot be forced to climb up or down pedestrian bridges and subways.
Pedestrian crossings must be marked with road signs.
Pedestrian signalization systems must be set up.
Audio signalization systems may be set up for visually impaired persons.
Everyone understands that a certain area is intended for pedestrians to cross the road.
The duration of the green light for pedestrians is set long enough for the slowest-walking pedestrian to be able to cross the road.
Motor vehicles cannot park on pedestrian ways; they cannot block pedestrians’ crossing.


Rights on Pedestrian Areas;

City centers are arranged wide and clear manner as pedestrian areas.
City centers are arranged as pedestrian areas so that;
Children can play, eat ice creams,
Young people can ride bicycle, play the guitar,
Old persons can go around and chat,
Disabled people can roam around without difficulty,
Mothers can have fun,
Mothers and fathers can read books, listen to music,
People can meet and talk to each other,
Pigeons and sparrows can hop from branches to trees to statues,
Pet dogs and street cats can play,
Urban administrators support pedestrian lifestyle because it improves the urban culture.
Urban administrators don’t set limits to pedestrian lifestyle in city centers.
Vehicular traffic is restricted in residential areas to make it possible for children and older persons to freely walk around their neighborhood, their streets.
Vehicular traffic may be restricted so that older persons, persons with disabilities and people who are discomforted by noise may find some peace of mind.
Vehicular traffic is restricted to let streets belong to children who want to play on the streets and go to school on foot, as well as cats, dogs and birds.
When cities are planned, city centers are designed as pedestrian areas. City centers are cleared from vehicles.
Only public transportation vehicles are permitted.
In case of an emergency, ambulances and fire engines may access pedestrian areas.


Rights on Pedestrian Roads;

In cities, pedestrians have the right to get from place to place without using motor vehicles.
Citizens have the right to go from place to place without having to seek protection from the speed, exhaust fume and noise of vehicles.
They have the right to reach their destination using exclusively pedestrian ways.
In cities, pedestrian ways completely separate from vehicular roads are built. They are decked with grass, trees, fountains, birds and frogs.
Anyone who wants to can walk through these routes as they go from place to place.
Cyclists and persons with wheelchairs can also use these routes.
Necessary arrangements are made so that people with sight, walking, hearing and mental disabilities can freely and easily use these routes.
Arrangements are made for older persons to walk easily as well.
Safety is ensured on these pedestrian ways.
Urban administrators make sure that roads are built, maintained, illuminated and cleaned.
Pedestrians also keep these ways clean, and warn those who don’t.
Urban administrators ask pedestrians’ opinions in making decision about pedestrian areas, pedestrian ways and crossings.
It is the urban administrators’ job to make sure that every child goes to school safely using pedestrian ways.


Defined within the framework of European Urban Charter – March 17-19, 1992



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