Sidewalk

A sidewalk (US) or pavement (UK) is a path, usually constructed of concrete (particularly in the United States), asphalt, or brick (particularly in Europe), designed for pedestrian traffic and often running alongside a road.

Sidewalks are more common in modern urban areas[?], where they may abut the road, than suburban areas[?], where they are sometimes separated from the road by a tree lawn (depending on available spaces and prior urban planning). Sidewalks are rare in rural areas[?].

Some localities allow bicycle travel on sidewalks, though most discourage it, as bicycles are vehicles that are allowed to use the road, or specially designated bicycle paths[?]. In the areas in which car traffic is intense, in fact, in recent times dedicated paths for cyclists were created, usually as a part of sidewalks, in order to let them have a safe distinguished way. This habit was originated in northern Europe.

In some countries, sidewalks are often the responsibility of the adjacent property owners.

Sidewalks vary in width, depending on traffic in the area, though are generally wider than 4 feet (1.3 meters). Often that is too narrow however, particularly when obstructions are placed on the sidewalk (street lights, traffic signal poles, news stands, road signs[?], fire hydrants[?] etc.), or if bicycles use the facility.

Most western countries have a policy about the removal of so-called "architectural barriers[?]" in order to reduce the difficulties for disabled people, and these policies usually reserve a great attention to sidewalks. The Americans with Disabilities Act, like other rules in other countries, requires sidewalks to have curb cuts at intersections so that sidewalks can be used by persons in wheelchairs.

The internet site sidewalk.com is a listing of local events and information in numerous cities.

LINKS

• http://www.lawalks.org
• http://www.peds.org
• http://www.sidewalk.com