The sidewalk is no longer reserved for walkers. Bikes, but also scooters or Segways proliferate. A phenomenon amplified during strikes. Chantal Perrichon, president of the League against road violence, calls for more controls on the streets.
What is the danger today for pedestrians?
CHANTAL PERRICHON. The place of pedestrians on sidewalks has become congruent, especially with the proliferation of modern vehicles, such as scooters. It should also be noted that even when pedestrians cross on the road, and it is green for them, cars pass. In Spain for example it does not happen, as soon as there is an intention of the pedestrian, the vehicle stops. In large cities, every two, three minutes, there are motorists who risk six points by refusing to prioritize pedestrians.
How to fight against this incivility?
There needs to be a huge communication campaign about bad behavior. But we know that it is not enough. We need more street controls, including calling on the municipal police who are not used enough. We can make all the laws in the world, they will be useless without control. It should be remembered that the sidewalk is an unshared place, which must be sanctuarized. Because when you see a bike on a sidewalk that grazes pedestrians, there is something to worry about.
Is it urgent to act?
With the strikes, there was an increase in bad behavior. We saw it with the phone behind the wheel, so don't let them settle down. In urban areas, pedestrians constantly see their rights violated and this battle for space is the most fragile who will lose it, the elderly or even children.