Tempo 2018 World Cup Report: Russia, Where Pedestrians are Kings
2 July 2018 16:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Throughout the journey of my reports on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, I spent most of my time commuting on foot. There are of course plenty mode of transports here such as buses, trams, taxis, and subways. But despite all of those means of transport, it feels more enjoyable spending time commuting as a pedestrian.
In here, the width of the sidewalks can definitely rival the width of the streets meant for vehicles. As far as I have experienced roaming the streets here, I found that sidewalks are not just spacious, but also greatly constructed.
Numerous places have sidewalks separated by a "green lane" for parks that greatly distances pedestrians from vehicles travelling on the street beside it. What makes walking here a treat is also thanks to the plenty of shady trees protecting the sidewalks.
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You seldom witness pedestrians conflicting with road users, which is a quite common sight on the streets of Jakarta. What I saw often are people traveling on skateboards and roller blades.
The mode of transport is also designed to ease pedestrians, such as access to subway stations that is just 1.5 kilometers from each other. The amount of bus stops double the amount of stations.
The pedestrian crossings are also thoroughly accommodating with traffic lights equipped with special indicators for pedestrians to avoid battling passing vehicles. Even when the lights turn green, vehicles would often wait until every pedestrian has crossed the street.
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Many pedestrian crossings are also built underground to accelerate the movement of pedestrians and reduce congestion at cross roads. Zebra crosses are placed at every 200 meters, at least.
Despite being greatly accommodated, pedestrians are also regulated under strict rules. Jaywalking is highly illegal in Russia and pedestrians are only allowed to cross on pedestrian crossings. In the current 2018 World Cup event, pedestrians are even further accommodated with the scheduled street closures that enable people to walk on the closed streets.
GABRIEL WAHYU TITIYOGA
