As an 11-year-old in Bangalore who once narrowly escaped a road accident, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of safe and spacious infrastructure for pedestrians. There I was, a mere two inches away from being hit by a bus. This near-miss experience served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for wider footpaths in India, particularly Bangalore.

Our city's footpaths aren't just inadequate - they're dangerous. They fall short in size, design, and accessibility, leading to increased risk of pedestrian accidents. Some roads lack footpaths entirely, while others are obstructed by haphazard parking, making them unusable. In 2019, India accounted for the highest number of road traffic deaths worldwide, with 150,000 reported deaths (WHO 2019).

In addition to wider footpaths, we need functioning streetlights and proper pedestrian crossings. Many streets in Bangalore are poorly lit, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during the evening. Pedestrian crossings are either faded, not well-marked, or outright ignored by motorists, making it hazardous for anyone trying to cross the road safely.

The Karnataka government has introduced skywalks, but they aren’t as helpful as intended. Who is going to climb steep skywalks, especially when they are often blocked by parked scooters? Even if we were to use the elevators provided, they are usually unmaintained, unsafe, and look so horrible that no one would dare to use them. This makes it even more challenging for pedestrians, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, to navigate the streets safely.

Furthermore, the increasing trend of double-side parking hampers the smooth flow of traffic. It leads to congestion, increases the likelihood of car crashes, and poses challenges for larger vehicles attempting to navigate narrow roads.

It's time to address these problems head-on. We demand that the government invest in enlarging footpaths to ensure safety for pedestrians, prohibit double-side parking to facilitate better traffic flow, install functioning streetlights, and create proper pedestrian crossings. By doing this, we can prevent accidents, increase the safety of our urban spaces, and significantly improve the quality of life for pedestrians.

Make a stand for safety. Sign this petition to call on the government to take necessary action to improve our city's pedestrian infrastructure.