Westport’s annual Sidewalk Sale takes place this weekend.
But this is not a story about that.
In fact, when they move here or visit from other parts of the country, people often remark on the lack of sidewalks in Westport.
We’ve got them.
We just don’t use them.
The other day, I drove from the beach, down South Compo, up North Compo, then Cross Highway and North Avenue to Staples.
There are sidewalks most of the way.
The number of folks on them: Zero.
Nada. Nil.
Okay, maybe they’re crossing the street. But this is the closest photo I could find to showing people in the road, when there’s a perfectly good sidewalk nearby.
I did see people on the sides of the road, sandwiched between speeding cars and grass, on the other side of which were perfectly good, safe and completely empty sidewalks.
I saw people walking abreast, chatting.
I saw people walking alone, headphones on, oblivious to the world.
I saw several women (and one man) pushing mega-strollers, right there on the street.
I’m not sure why Westporters don’t use sidewalks.
Is it laziness (you may have to cross the street to get there)?
Is it ignorance (people don’t know they’re there — or have no idea what they’re used for)?
Perhaps the sidewalks are cracked or uneven (though as a bike rider, I know our streets are not exactly baby-bottom smooth)?
If you’ve got a theory, please click “Comments” below. And if you’re one of the (many) non-sidewalk-using Westporters, I’d really like to know!