Sidewalks, Bike Lanes, and Cobblestones

by Lori Shannon
The little town of Cagli was destroyed in battle in 1287 and rebuilt in 1289. People still live in houses that are over 400 years old. The village and its residents have survived famine, earthquakes, and epic snowstorms.

So have the tiny streets that wind in and out and up and down the hills of Cagli. They are paved in cobblestones and are just wide enough for a single compact car to squeeze though. There are no sidewalks or bike lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists must share the narrow one-way streets.

But this doesn’t create problems – everyone patiently waits their turn to cross the intersection. Despite having a car whiz by you, it’s not alarming. You know the driver has navigated these roads for years and has expertly steered his car avoiding anyone on foot or bike. He’s also not driving a gigantic SUV that weighs eight tons and has multiple blind spots.

In the United States, roads are constantly being widened to accommodate more and more vehicles. Sidewalks and bike lanes are everywhere – as a child you’re told to stay on the sidewalk and never walk in the street. Cyclists cling to the bike lane for safety – many drivers are distracted and accidents involving crashes between cars and bikes are too common. Eating, drinking, texting and talking are more important that paying attention to the road for many American drivers.

It’s nice to be in a place were widening streets to add lanes for more cars isn’t an option. Here everyone on the road must get along. In Cagli, the cobblestones and tiny roads don’t discourage people from walking and riding their bikes.