This is a blog on human ambulation—that is, walking. I explore this most ordinary but extremely revealing activity in relation to the physical landscape, aesthetics and art, politics, pedestrian practices, the wilderness, urban design, the body, environmental issues, and philosophical thought. I've published a few articles on the subject, and I'm currently writing a book on walking, so it seemed like a natural progression to blog about it as well.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Car walking
Here’s my small
rant and photographic gesture of support for “car walking” and pedestrian
power. When a vehicle encroaches onto or idles in a crosswalk at an
intersection and doesn't back off or acknowledge your presence and his or her
mistake with, say, a tip of the cap or another humble sign of recognition, I
advocate walking on up over the hood of the car and continuing on your gallant
way. If the driver happens to exit the vehicle with the intent to harm
(because, well, some people seem to imagine their autos to be extensions of
themselves), then they have just surrendered the perks of about 4,000 pounds of
power, and you can choose from a repertoire of possibilities to put them
comfortably on the road, preferably in either a supine or prone position. A
well-placed boot usually does the trick.
In Munich, Germany,
one advocate for pedestrian rights has taken to the practice of car walking
when vehicles park on the sidewalk.He has also proceeded to challenge unruly motorists by walking slowly in
the street to calm overzealous and speeding drivers, who threaten the safety of
walkers and bikers.
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