🇰🇪📄👤 Kenya Summary of Guide for Members of the Public to Help Make City Streets More Inclusive for Pedestrians with Disabilities

Inclusive Public Space Project

1. How This Guide Has Come About and Who it is For

This guide is based on the information given to us by our research participants. Many of the points made in this guide are illustrated by films led by our participants. We thank them!

This guide is for any member of the public who wants to make streets more inclusive. It draws on relevant laws but doesn’t try to explain them all. It also makes suggestions which go beyond what the law requires.

2. The Guide: What Members of the Public Can Do to Help Make Pedestrian Spaces More Inclusive

2.1 When We’re a Pedestrian

  • Comply with The Highway Code 
  • Be alert to the possibility that other pedestrians may have disabilities and which may not always be apparent to you. Note that a white cane indicates that the person holding it is blind or partially-sighted and that a red and white cane indicates that the person has both hearing and visual problems. Note that somebody using hand gestures might be communicating in Sign Language and unable to hear you – do not treat them as though they are stupid or drunk. 
  • Where there are narrow gaps, give people with disabilities time and space to pass.
  • Keep any phone calls short and stop in an out-of-the-way place for longer calls.
  • Ask people with disabilities who seem to be struggling (eg to cross a road) if they’d like help. If they say yes, ask them how they would like to be helped – and listen to what they say.
  • Do not drop litter.

Our Relevant Legal Obligations

  • The Highway Code 

2.2 When We’re Driving Cars or Vans or Riding Motorbikes

  • Comply with The Traffic Act and The Highway Code. 
  • Stop to let pedestrians with disabilities cross roads.
  • Avoid parking on walkways.
  • Avoid parking so as to block dropped kerbs or pedestrian crossings.
  • Make sure that, when parking, there is nothing sticking out from vehicles across the walkway. 
  • When parking, check for passing pedestrians before opening doors across the walkway.
  • Do not park in spaces designated for persons with disabilities.

Our Relevant Legal Obligations

  • The Traffic Act
  • Criminal Law
  • Negligence

2.3 When We’re Cycling 

  • Comply with The Highway Code.
  • Avoid cycling on walkways or in areas with lots of pedestrians.
  • Slow down and stop to let pedestrians with disabilities cross.
  • Be aware that being a pedestrian on a busy road is often extremely stressful for pedestrians with disabilities. Try to be considerate and helpful and not to make the situation any more stressful for them.
  • When cycling in a space that is shared with pedestrians, give them plenty of space and keep speed down or, better still, get off and push. 
  • Fit your bike with a working bell, so pedestrians will know you’re coming.

Our Relevant Legal Obligations

  • The Traffic Act
  • Negligence

2.4. When We’re Using Scooters or Other Micro-Mobility Devices

  • Comply with The Highway Code and all relevant laws and guidance.
  • Never ride scooters on walkways, even if it is technically lawful to do so. Dismount and push scooters when on walkways.
  • When in spaces that are shared with pedestrians, slow down and give them plenty of space or dismount and push.

Our Relevant Legal Obligations

  • Negligence

2.5 When We’re at Work or Running a Business

  • Not putting advertisement or other boards/signs on walkways.
  • Not allowing anything (eg an open window) to stick out across walkways at head height or below.
  • Avoid placing market stalls where they will make pedestrian thoroughfares too narrow for wheelchair-users or create trip hazards and crowding.
  • Erect border fencing, with ground-level barriers, to enclose outdoor café furniture.
  • Keep walkways clean and free of rubbish.
  • Comply with best practice design guidance for the installation and positioning of ramps and other access features.

Our Relevant Legal Obligations

  • Negligence 
  • Design and Building Code Guidance 

2.6 When We’re at Home 

  • Make sure nothing (eg windows, trees or bushes) sticks out over walkways. 
  • Avoid creating trip hazards across walkways.
  • Park vehicles (such as cars or bikes) off walkways.
  • Keep walkways where we live clear of rubbish.
  • Report problems with walkways near where we live to the county government.

Our Relevant Legal Obligations

  • Negligence
  • Occupier’s Liability 
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