Sidewalks aren’t wheelchair-friendly
Jul 20, 2010 | 470 views | 1 1 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Why do I ride my electric scooter on the street and not on the sidewalk, you ask? There are sidewalks, and then there are no sidewalks. There are cracks in the sidewalks, there are bumps in the sidewalks. There are gravel sidewalks, there are broken sidewalks. There are holes in the sidewalks, there are bushes over the sidewalks. There are cars parked on the sidewalks, there are tree roots under the sidewalks. There are gates open across the sidewalks, there are sprinklers spraying over the sidewalks. This is why you will see those of us with scooters and electric wheelchairs riding on the streets. Unfortunately, the sidewalks in this fair city of Tooele are not wheelchair-friendly. Not just on the side streets, but also on Main Street. You will see me riding in the parking lane — if there is one — facing you, as I would rather see you coming at me than to try to see you coming up behind me, even if my kids still think I have eyes in the back of my head. So please watch out for us. Your thoughtfulness will be greatly appreciated.

Sharon Johnson

Tooele

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comments (1)
« cas84074 wrote on Thursday, Jul 22 at 12:52 PM »
Sharon's right! Our roadway's are not handicap accessible and unfortunately that puts EVERYONE at risk! To be confined to a wheelchair is hard enough, but facing difficulties leaving your home due to sidewalks/ignorance. Well that's just disgusting! The city needs to step up and fix these sidewalks.(Create them in most places). When rain or snow effects these roadway's (or make shift sidewalks) people are forced to walk in the road & this problem becomes 100% more dangerous for everyone!

Furthermore, Sharon makes a wonderful point of common courtesy as a home owner. Please keep your sidewalks clear! It makes it nearly impossible for the disabled to roll when they're constantly having to negotiate AROUND items gates, hoses & especially cars!! Something needs to be done to improve our sidewalks before someone gets hurt.

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