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Cities love tourists for the money they bring to the local economy, and yet the locals often hate how visitors clog the streets and sidewalks. One city wants to do something about it.
The city is London, and the specific street in question is popular Oxford Street. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the tactic being suggested is an unofficial line to segregate store browsers and travelers shuffling underneath the burden of heavy backpacks to half of the sidewalk closest to the buildings and shops, and to reserve the sidewalk's outside edge as a fast lane to be utilized by anyone -- locals, most likely -- walking with more of a sense of mission.
How would the system be enforced? Actually, it wouldn't, not in any official capacity anyway. There wouldn't be fines or any repercussions for absentmindedly strolling or even for standing still and yakking away on a cell phone on the "fast" side of the sidewalk. But local area maps would advise travelers to stick to the slow side, and a team of neighborhoods hosts in red caps may approach slow walkers and "put visitors in their place, tactfully," as the Journal writes.
The concept is only in the proposal stages, and it is a tricky business, obviously: Cities such as London, as well as New York, Paris, and others, certainly don't want to make tourists feel even the slightest bit unwelcomed. On the other hand, it'd be nice to be able to walk to work without having to weave and maneuver among a crush of travelers and browsers shuffling, pausing, and otherwise obstructing foot traffic. Staffers at Budget Travel's New York City office, which is near Times Square and where I've heard the phrase "sidewalk rage" used more than once, understand this as well as anyone.But is there a smarter solution than the one being proposed in London? If an invisible line down the sidewalk seems off-putting, what might work instead? Or should the locals simply suck it up, and accept that sidewalk congestion is the tradeoff for being a popular tourist hub?
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Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with the signage or the red caps, as long as they do it in a friendly, helpful way (and not a "are you an idiot? Can't you see the line?" sort of way, because I might be too busy gawking at their beautiful city to notice it).
You know, so much of this is common sense. It drives me nuts when people stop in narrow store aisles (or even the hall at work) to have a conversation and don't at least remain aware of people approaching who need to get by. If you're walking slowly or stopping to look or chat, step out of the mainstream. The problem with sidewalks is that there is no universally accepted "fast lane" designation so if this became a generally accepted idea around the world, I think it would be great. And just as much as those in a hurry don't want to weave in and out of the slower bunch, I would also enjoy strolling more if I am not being 'zig-zagged' or jostled by those who need to get someplace.
Posted By Susan on November 4, 2010, 2:24 PM
Improv Everywhere in New York recently created a "tourist lane" as a joke. You can see video of how it went over here: http://improveverywhere.com/2010/06/08/the-tourist-lane/
Very funny.
Posted By Amy on November 4, 2010, 3:35 PM
It's worth a try--it might or might not help.
It would be like the moving "sidewalks" in airports where people who don't want to walk are supposed to stand to the right to let walkers get by on the left. Most people comply, while some don't, so it isn't perfect; but it does help.
Posted By Paul on November 5, 2010, 7:00 AM
I also live in a tourist community (Key West, Conch Republic), and I applaud such an initiative. Tourists and shoppers often forget that they share their visit with living cities. Those of us who live there have to continue to do business. Yes, we are a laid-back kind of place, which means we do not rush to things, but we may have to move faster than an amble. There is also the tendency of tourists to move in groups, often glumming into packs as many as four wide, all sauntering down most of the width of the sidewalk.
Suggesting that the area closest to the roadway be reserved for those actually going somewhere is a great idea.
(I previously lived in Venezia, and the same maddening problem existed there, not just on land but also on water. The locals of the Veneto have solved this, in part, by modifying the Grand Canal boats options to include one that is only available to those with the passes for locals who know how to efficiently board and move about the boats.)
Posted By Rev Dr Randolph Becker on November 8, 2010, 10:28 AM
I spend my summers in London, and it can get crazy trying to get anywhere. I would LOVE a fast lane to be able to get through the crowds quickly.
Posted By Sharon L Stern on November 8, 2010, 10:33 AM
Great idea! I work in Chicagos airport and can barely get from point a to b without running into people. It's also dangerous.
Posted By Mari on November 8, 2010, 11:07 AM
The idea should be at least considered for Times Square in New York. Ever try to get past a convoy of 8 tourists walking laterally side-by-side as they crane their necks to look at the skyscrapers. I'm not sure if it's practical to have "fast" and "slow" lanes, but let's see how it works out in London.
Posted By Couch Potato Cop on November 8, 2010, 11:16 AM
The problem with well-meaning attempts like this is that the only people who are going to really comply are the sensible, thoughtful people that were probably attempting to stay out of the way in the first place. You cannot be subtle with thoughtless, self-involved people. Example: we all (in the US) know that the left lane is for drivers going faster than the rest of traffic, yet have you ever made it through a trip involving the interstate that doesn't involve the irritation of that nitwit cruising along slowly -- in the left lane?
Posted By Jen on November 8, 2010, 2:51 PM
I'm intrigued by the idea; however, the biggest problem specifically impacting London is that the tourists on the sidewalk don't know what side of the sidewalk to walk on. Typically, you walk on the same side of the sidewalk that one would drive on (so, in theory.. in the UK you would walk on the left) but everyone is confused and walks right down the middle of the sidewalk at each other! An educational campaign on this issue (perhaps in time for the Olympics - hint, hint?) should be the first step in improving the issues in London.
Posted By UK loving Yank on November 8, 2010, 3:33 PM
Great idea! Even in the small communities around where I live, it gets aggravating trying to get somewhere when the aisles and sidewalks are blocked by people strolling along/stopping to talk or look around.
Posted By Dawn on November 8, 2010, 4:06 PM
I would think you would need 4 lanes for this to work as people tend to walk in both directions on the sidewalk. Then what happens when two people are walking together??? So eight lanes would eliminate that problem, but then where will the cars go? As for the walking on the same side you drive on, I like that idea as well especially in stores like Wally World who take up half of the walkway with displays. Perhaps arrows on the floor to indicate where to walk. Or use the New York way and just body slam the person who in your way and keep on walking. And yes that has happened to me many time there.
Posted By Teeser on November 8, 2010, 6:01 PM
Dumb idea and totally unworkable, like granny in the fast lane on the Interstate. I also noticed in London they walk on the right and drive on the left. Very confusing, as I was trying to walk on the left and it just didn't work. I asked a local tourguide about it and he agreed with my observation and had no idea why this happens.
When you live in the city, you take the empty side streets and avoid the commercial streets when in a hurry, they are only a block away.
Before visiting England, we were in Barbados, my friends and I forced a whole busload of Americans to go up a long narrow staircase on the left. We saw them coming, started down single file on the left, clutching the handrail and refused to move. It was fun watching them get all cranky!
Posted By silas on November 9, 2010, 10:24 AM
Why not try it and see how it works? As a tourist, I would love to know how I could be as unobtrusive as possible to the locals and having a clearly marked "slow lane" on the sidewalk would be a big help. Sometimes the more you try to stay out of other peoples' way, the more you get in their way! Regardless of the fact that some people won't get the hint, it still would be helpful to the rest of us who try to be aware of our surroundings and polite and want to accommodate the locals as best as possible.
Posted By Jessica on November 9, 2010, 4:18 PM