There are so many lovely photographs we take on holidays, a lot of which just end up on our computers. I’ve been wanting to start a series of Travel Postcards – one picture with a short little write-up – since a while now. What better way to kick-start it than with the A to Z challenge?
New York’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, was originally designed to carry horse-drawn and rail traffic with a separate elevated walkway along the center line for pedestrians and bicycles. That’s one of the biggest differences between the US and India – the culture of walking and cycling freely. There are wide open spaces where people can walk, play, cycle, skateboard, sit and read all around the city.
This is in stark contrast to India, where we have bridges and flyovers solely for vehicular traffic (which, admittedly, is much higher than in New York), with scant attention paid to pedestrians and cyclists. So bad is the situation that various cities have designated areas on Sunday where vehicular traffic isn’t allowed – the space is opened up to people, allowing them to walk or cycle without fear.
But one day a week does not a culture build. Will we ever get to the stage when people will eschew their cars in favor of cycling or walking short distances? I wonder…
I travel along with you to Brooklyn, since I don’t seem to be headed there anytime soon. 🙂 Thanks for a lovely photograph.
Hi Like your pic of Brooklyn Bride and you have an interesting theme of posting pictures from your travels. I agree with you about the lack of space for pedestrians in India, especially a city like Mumbai. I find excuses not to go for a walk every day. It turns into a nightmare every time
Although….when I am in Bombay, I absolutely love walking through Town! And along the beach at Worli or Bandra!
That culture of walking and cycling is something I have noticed. Nice write up and lovely photograph to go with it.
Thanks Shail 🙂
Nice photograph and I agree it’s sad that in India there is no space for pedestrians
Thank you!
As an American I have not even traveled to New York City, but I have been to many other cities in the nation. I also suggest coming to a smaller town with open spaces here in the US because you will see other parts of America you would not see in a big city like New York. As for walking, I find that even in smaller cities that drivers could be more courteous towards pedestrians and bicyclists. Americans are way too dependent upon their cars for small trips that are walkable, and that is not necessarily a good thing. I see people drive a block, and I always wonder about that. Anyway, I am visiting new people on my adventures via the A to Z Challenge, so I hope you are enjoying the blogathon.
Oh yes, that is true everywhere! Even though you have the space to walk, you need the will to walk! I do want to travel to the more rural parts of America…the smaller towns and communities…I’ve heard they’re beautiful!
what an amazing capture 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
More cyclists and pedestrians would be better in most countries, we could do with more in the UK though most cities aren’t very anti them, here. Love the photo with all those lines and wires.
That’s the key, right? Making space for cyclists and walkers…Thanks for dropping by!
Saw this through you eyes…donno if I will ever visit Brooklyn.
I wonder too whether we will ever cultivate this habit of walking instead of taking a vehicle.
Thats a great picture ! Not sure if I will ever visit but if I do I may remember this post and click 🙂
great picture it’s my favorite bridge
Having stayed in Beaverton, OR for a while, I don’t like NYC much. But, a few landmarks are worth a million buck and one of them certainly is the Brooklyn Bridge. Also, as you mentioned, I love the fact that we have a lot of trails and bridges and roads where we can walk freely without fearing being hit by a moving vehicle.
Wow fabulous shot! Will make for a wonderful postcard!