In practice this means that we walk more (which is good) and that I pay more attention to other people's behavior while on the streets.
Many times I've been ranting about mopeds using the bike lanes (usually at their top 40km/h speed). That's plain dangerous. There are bikes, pedestrians, people walking with dogs, people with kids trolleys... it's no place for mopeds. But there's hope! (keep on reading)
Today's topic are pedestrian walks, which are places where pedestrians can walk, right? The rules are quite simple. If there are traffic lights, those rule; if there aren't, cars should stop so that pedestrians can change to the other side of the street safely. Do they stop? You wish... But again, there's hope!
I'll just go over four cases I've experienced in the last two days while trying to cross a pedestrian walk:
- Middle aged man driving an overpowered estate car (farmari suomeksi, cotxe familiar en català). Did he stop? He didn't even slow down!
- Teenager driving a moped. Did she stop? Yes she did, and nodded back to my appreciative nod!
- Middle aged woman driving an oversized SUV (city-masturi suomeski, 4x4 pijo de ciutat en català). Did she stop? No. She slowed down, and when I started crossing she yelled at me, made some obscene sign with the hand and sped up. (We're fine, thanks).
- Young dude driving a sports car with too loud music and way too loud engine and exhaust pipe. Did he stop? Yes he did. And he waved me to let me know he was letting me cross the street.
Conclusion: I'm worried since the car park in Espoo is vastly made out of middle aged people driving estates or SUVs. However, looking at the new generations there is hope!
And all of you people driving out there: come on, it's not that difficult and you won't loose that much time. From what anyway? Imprinting your buttocks in the sofa some extra seconds? And if you've been a pedestrian, or riding a bike (and the odds say that you have) you've suffered this! Fix it!
The worst sight for me was couple of winters ago. It was snowing a lot (remember, this is Finland) and a guy in his wheelchair was waiting in a pedestrian walk. None of the three cars in front of us stopped. Not kidding. I know it sucks to drive in the snow, but it's still nicer and warmer that being out there (and the wheelchair was just a bonus).
So, be nice to each other. Even if you're behind the wheel. And Beni is the cutest, isn't he?
Hear hear! I've started to thank the polite drivers by greeting and smiling to them. They may think I'm nuts (Finland, remember), but that's their problem :)
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