Biking and Walking - Sidewalks

Slowing Traffic | Sidewalks | Crosswalks | Bike Routes

Sidewalks Should be Continuous
In many communities today sidewalks are either missing altogether, or are not continuous. The assumption is that everyone wants to drive, and that sidewalks are an unnecessary expense. And so many people who do want to walk are forced to walk along the edges of roadways, on uneven surfaces, often through loose gravel and other roadside debris. Not a very encouraging environment for the would-be pedestrian.

In many places you can see pathways along the sides of roads where pedestrians have ignored the lack of sidewalks. These are called "desire lines," as in "We desire that a sidewalk be built here." Are there desire lines in your neighborhood?

Sidewalks should match the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act; which specifies good design of facilities for everyone: physically challenged, seniors, adults, and children. Click here for an excellent booklet about the ADA requirements from the Federal Highway Administration. (.pdf, 725K)

How Much Do Sidewalks Cost?
It's impossible to quote even an "average cost" for installing sidewalks; the prices are going to vary widely depending on:

- what part of the country you're in
- whether it's new street construction or you're hoping to retrofit an existing street
- if there will be sidewalks on both sides of the street or only one side of the street
- how wide the sidewalk will be if there will be curbs and gutters

When curbs, gutters, and drainage are installed in support of a sidewalk project on a street that is not being torn up, the costs can rise by a factor of three or four. Curbs and gutters should generally go along with sidewalk projects since they help keep motorists from parking on the sidewalk

Different communities use different funding approaches, especially for neighborhood sidewalks. Some "order sidewalks in" to be paid for by the property owners; other agencies assume the costs, especially if the sidewalk is on a busier street such as a neighborhood collector. And in some communities where property owners are expected to pay for sidewalks, the city offers zero interest (or low interest) loans or Special Improvement Districts (SIDs).

If you're trying to "sell" a sidewalk project to your neighbors or to city leaders, watch your estimates. A low figure gets lots of people on board, but it distorts the reality and people will be angry when the project budget is overspent. Too high an estimate will scare people away from the project, and the sidewalk project won't receive funding.

Resources
The Pedestrian Facility Design section of the Federal Highway Administration's 2002 booklet, Pedestrian Facilities User Guide, has many details on recommended sidewalk widths and other design factors. Download it below.

Also, read the success story from Bethesda, Maryland called Where The Sidewalk Begins, by Washington Post reporter Karen Tanner Allen. It's a good look at the positive effects of one street getting sidewalks installed.

- Pedestrian Facility Design, FHWA | PDF File 208KB
- Where The Sidewalk Begins | PDF File 90KB
- Active Facts: Community Development Block Grants | PDF File 339KB

Note: You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to read the items listed above. If you don't have Acrobat Reader already installed on your computer, you can get it here.