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 people who took part in our research project in the USA. Many of the points made in this guide are illustrated by films. These have all been made by our pedestrian participants or with their help and guidance.

This guide is for any member of the public who wants to ensure they do not accidentally create obstacles or dangers for pedestrians with disabilities. It highlights things we can all do to remove or reduce problems – problems that made getting around very difficult or dangerous for our participants. Thousands of other people in other towns and cities are likely to be affected by the same types of problem.

Many of the suggestions below are underpinned by legal obligations. Although we will provide indications of what some of these are, this guide is not intended to be a comprehensive account of relevant law. Nor is this guide limited to legal obligations; it includes some suggestions which go beyond the law.

2 The guide: What we can all do to help make pedestrian spaces more inclusive

2.1 When we’re at home or work

Make sure no trees or bushes stick out over or onto the sidewalk.
Avoid creating trip hazards across the sidewalk – eg charging cables for electric cars, toys, scooters or bicycles.
Position trash bins in places that allow pedestrians (including wheelchair-users) to pass by without having to go onto the road.
Park cars so they do not block sidewalks, curb-cuts or other key access points.
Keep the sidewalks running alongside property clear of leaves and snow.
Report any sidewalk faults or hazards to local authorities.

2.2 When we’re driving

Ensure compliance with relevant local and state law.
Avoid parking in places that block access to curb cuts or crosswalks.
Ensure that, when parking, nothing is sticking out from vehicles across the sidewalk.
When parking, check for passing pedestrians before opening doors onto the sidewalk.

2.3 When we’re cycling

Ensure compliance with relevant local and state law and guidance.
Avoid cycling on sidewalks – if necessary for safety reasons, dismount and push the bike along the sidewalk or (if dismounting is not possible because eg of a mobility disability), ride no faster than walking speed.
When in a bicycle lane, be alert to pedestrians who might need to cross, particularly if they have a white cane, a guide dog or a mobility device.
Slow down and stop to let pedestrians cross.
Be aware that pedestrians walking in a bicycle lane may be doing so accidentally or because there is no easy means for them to exit it.
When cycling in a space shared with pedestrians, be mindful of them. Give them plenty of space and slow down when approaching and passing and,if in a busy area, dismount or ride no faster than walking speed.
Make sure bikes have a working bell to alert others.
Park bikes in places that do not create obstructions or trip hazards for pedestrians.

2.4. When we’re using scooters or other micro-mobility devices

Ensure compliance with relevant local and state laws and guidance.
Never ride scooters on sidewalks.
Scooters can travel at higher speeds and are virtually silent. When in spaces that are shared with pedestrians, be mindful of them. Giving them plenty of space and slow down when approaching and passing or, when in a busy area, dismount.

2.5 When we’re a pedestrian

Be alert to the possibility that other pedestrians may have disabilities and that their disabilities may not be visible.
Keep any phone calls short and stop in an out-of-the-way place for longer calls.
At controlled crosswalks, be aware that people who are blind or have low vision and people who are Deaf-Blind might need to locate buttons on the control box.
If a person with a disability has been trying to cross a road for some time, ask if they’d like any assistance.
Avoid littering – dropped trash might become slippery or a trip hazard.

2.6. When we’re running a business

Avoid putting advertisements or other boards/signs on the sidewalk where they make create obstructions.
Avoid attaching any objects to buildings adjacent to sidewalks that protrude and pose a risk of injury to pedestrians.
When placing cafe furniture outdoors, ensure that it is within a border that extends to ground level so that it can be detected by blind people using long canes.
Keep sidewalks outside business premises clean.

🇺🇸📄👤 USA Guide for raising public awareness about how to make city streets more inclusive: Summary Version