Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Our Massachusetts pedestrian accident attorneys know that the City of Boston prides itself for its excellent public transportation and walkable cityscape. The Daily Green and, frankly, numerous other “walk-friendly” and sustainable community resources, have consistently ranked Boston among the top five most walkable large cities in the U.S.
Just last week, the Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council sponsored a public talk on the “shared street” urban planning concept that blends functional, efficient, traffic flow with safe, sustainable green- and public-space. The meeting was the first of a series of coming “shared space” events that hope to develop a host of practical, implementable, projects in the downtown area that promote traffic safety, encourage health-conscious activities – like biking or walking – and stimulate economic growth through destination-based vehicle and foot traffic marketing.
This concept goes far beyond slapping up a few pedestrian crossing signs and some bicycle lanes and includes traffic calming devices that alter street shape, function and appearance, the Boston Globe reports. While at first, the idea of less signage or glaring, law enforcement monitored, traffic devices may seem a tragedy waiting to happen, results from European models have determined that both drivers and pedestrians pay more attention to one another and their environment without all the flashing, bells-and-whistles. Of course, this model is more appropriate for some locations than others, targeting more urban settings, than, for example, school zones and playground areas.
The “shared space” notion aims to change the dynamic between pedestrians and drivers while changing the visual landscape as well. Future shared road spaces will be less about segregating walkers from riders and more about safely opening street space in such a way that requires more human interaction.
The Walking Site, offers a few tips for starting walkers. Of course, before starting any exercise program, one should check with a doctor first:
~ Start off slow and easy with the right gear – a 20-minute round trip around your neighborhood is a safe place to start. Try it for a week and aim for a five-day-a-week regimen. Add five-minutes to your walk time each week until you reach your time or distance goal. A lot of good can be said for a decent pair of sneakers, comfortable – breathable – clothes and clean, dry, socks.
~ Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – and not just while you are walking. Drink plenty of water both before and after you hit the trail.
~ Mix it up a bit. Add stretching, warming up and cooling down as your build onto your routine. Once you’ve developed a habit of walking regularly – explore time, distance and pacing goals that work toward cardiovascular fitness.
The Boston pedestrian accident attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, LLC, have more than 18 years experience handling serious and fatal Massachusetts traffic and personal injury accident cases. If you have been injured or someone you love has been injured or killed in a Boston-area accident, talking with an experienced attorney can help you better understand your rights. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact us online or call our offices at (617) 777-7777.