What is Reclaim The Streets about Anyway? A Personal Perspective

Saturday 18th September 2004 Reclaim The Streets, Princes Avenue Hull Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1   Gallery 2

Many moons ago in my misspent youth, I, like many others, used to have a problem with Authority and 'fought injustice' wherever I discovered it. So I joined others in the grand mass of those in the non-conformists uniform, and would march, relevant placard in hand, most Saturdays. These days the flesh is willing but the will is usually on vacation. I think it's termed mellowing or some such thing.

Aside that is, from the all encompassing banner of Reclaim The Streets. There are myriad reasons for this but that fact that I was run over in London, through no fault of my own apparently, usually sticks out. Apparently, as my memory of the events still hasn't re-assembled itself yet.

So, I now have a slightly altered opinion about what's important and conducive to creating fairness. Reclaim The Streets instead of being an excuse to flick two fingers up at The Man, now provides a potential forum for mutual consideration between the 3 groups that comprise the majority road users: motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Road rage is on the increase and antagonism and lack of communication are never far from the cause.

The RTS movement can act as a beacon for all these divergent groups, making the roads safer, where courtesy and mutual respect IS possible. Well, okay I might be sprinting before I can crawl but...

There are occasions where the usual Rights Of Way do change and the motor vehicle and cyclist do have right of way, and others where it's t'other way around. Wouldn't it be nice if we were all aware of, and used them sensibly, rather than just bitching about pedestrians who walk aimlessly into the road, or motor vehicle users or cyclists who almost run over pedestrians on Zebra crossings. For a change!

At a time when speed on the cities roads is considered a major problem, with traffic calming methods reaching an all time high, and 20 mile an hour zones appearing at the drop of a petition, the last thing motorists wish to contend with is discourteous and surly pedestrians. Conversely, with all these measures in place the last thing a pedestrian expects is a speeding motor vehicle hurtling at them in a 20 mph zone.

What's the answer? I don't have The Answer, but I do have some suggestions, which may spark a constructive dialogue. And it is the encouragement of such continued dialogues that I believe Reclaim The Streets can bring about. If motorists don't wish such disruptive actions to occur then perhaps adopting more positive behaviour towards other road users and pedestrians would encourage their discontinuation. And if Pedestrians were to pay some attention to the Highway Code, (which does also apply to them), then motorists might not be as disgruntled by jaywalkers sauntering blithely into their path.

I know this doesn't apply to the majority of road users but, nonetheless, some degree of mutual co-operation and awareness would appear to be of benefit for both to enjoy (or at least tolerate) each others existence.

Reclaim The Streets can be seen as a day where contemplation of such issues can take place, rather than a subversive action to undermine authority. I do find it absurd that to try and force the issue of road safety, environmentally sound road use, and the education of pedestrians in correct road usage, can technically be seen as anarchistic or a terrorist plot of any description. .

Knowing and applying the rules contained in The Highway Code could significantly reduce road accident casualties. Cutting the number of deaths and injuries that occur on our roads every day is a responsibility we all share. The Highway Code can help us discharge that responsibility.* *Last paragraph of The Highway Code

Saturday 18th September 2004 Reclaim The Streets, Princes Avenue Hull Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1   Gallery 2

Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Mo thisisUll.com

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