It's hard to make Harford bike and pedestrian friendly
BY ERIKA BUTLER, Baltimore Sun
It would be wonderful if we, as a society, weren't so dependent on our cars.
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Maybe if some sidewalks were installed along Route 543, I'd be more apt to walk to Rite Aid or Burger King and pick up dinner. As it is, it's dangerous enough navigating that area in the car, forget about on foot.
Perhaps that's part of the big push to make Harford County more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. If I knew I'd be safe, I just might do a little more walking and a little less driving. Maybe I'm not the only one. If we had more time in our busy days and busy lives, walking and biking for things other than exercise might become the norm, not the exception.
I think that's what we all need to do, just slow it down a little bit.
Harford County wants to become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly, and is developing a master plan to address some of the issues with doing such.
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Anticipated to be a year-long process, development of the plan will include opportunities for public input. In addition to public workshops, citizens will be able to follow the process and provide comments online at the Department's website, <a href="http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/planningzoning">http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/planningzoning</a>;, until April 16.
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Just because a place is pedestrian-friendly, though, doesn't mean it's safe. I think downtown Bel Air is an easy place to walk, but getting most drivers to stop at pedestrian crosswalks is close to impossible. I run from our office to the Ma & Pa Trail, crossing Main and Bond streets where they come together, a few times a week, and I can't tell you how many cars pass right by me at those crosswalks each time.
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