In the Greater Sudbury Safer Sidewalks online survey, 428 residents generously shared their experiences using winter sidewalks in Greater Sudbury. This column will set the context and explain the purpose of the series: to honour residents’ stories and experiences by showcasing their voices.
Current winter sidewalk maintenance standards prevent people from safely reaching essential destinations, walking for their own physical or mental health, and even prevent people from leaving their homes. People are falling and are getting hurt or injured due to poor sidewalk conditions.
Selected quotes will paint a picture of the diversity of residents’ experiences and needs, from parents of young children to seniors, from people who walk for transportation to those who walk for their health.
Being able to get around your community is necessary for accessing work, school, medical opportunities, basic necessities, and social and family visits and responsibilities.
In the GSSS survey, 45 per cent of respondents shared that they often or always have to stay at home during the winter because they cannot get around on the sidewalks. With current sidewalk maintenance standards, many residents are housebound during the winter months.
Selected quotes will share the voices of residents whose mobility (or that of a loved one) is curtailed due to winter sidewalk conditions.
Specific challenges faced by transit users may be included in this column, or may be given its own column.
Poor winter sidewalk conditions have a significant impact on residents’ quality of life. The top three impacts expressed were: fear of walking, not being able to get around, and a negative impact on physical well-being.
Lack of independence, fear of falling or experiencing injuries, and being housebound all deeply impact residents’ mental and physical health. Selected quotes will share the toll on residents’ wellness and quality of life.
This final column will outline the specific challenges faced by residents using winter sidewalks, as well as the improvements most requested to address those challenges (by all respondents and those using a mobility aid or stroller).
Selected quotes will illustrate these challenges experienced by residents in their daily lives, while trying to use winter sidewalks.
The opportunity for improved winter sidewalk maintenance standards will be briefly explored.
Greater Sudbury Safer Sidewalks is a grassroots group of residents who believe everyone has the right to walk around their neighbourhood and get to where they need to go throughout all seasons. The group aims to make it safer and easier to get around on foot or with a mobility device in Greater Sudbury. Residents interested in joining can e-mail [email protected] or visit the group’s Facebook page.
