+ Μια ομάδα ανθρώπων (γυναικών και ανδρών, με παιδιά ή χωρίς) για την ασφαλή μετακίνηση όλων μας.

ENGLISH

“Moms in the Street” is a group of mothers (and several others) interested in promoting the safety of pedestrians in Greece.

The initiative (and our name) stems from the fact that it is virtually impossible for a person to reach their destination on foot without walking in the street for a significant part of the distance, because footpaths are often impassable or blocked by illegally parked cars and other obstructions. Sometimes no footpath exists at all.

“Moms in the Street” believe that the situation is inherently dangerous as it forces pedestrians to walk side-by-side with fast-moving vehicles. While this is risky even under normal circumstances, in the unregulated Greek streets, where red lights, speed limits and zebra crossings are often disregarded[1], this is a recipe for disaster. Many lives have already been lost in traffic accidents involving pedestrians[2] and steps should be taken urgently, before more people are killed. 

If walking safely to one's destination, however short, is difficult for able-bodied adults, it is nearly impossible for the elderly, people with disabilities and parents with strollers. Given the chaotic streets, children cannot walk to school or the playground; instead they need to be driven there for their own safety. Those who have no car are forced to either risk their lives daily or simply stay at home, a situation that constitutes a gross violation of their rights. 

For all these reasons “Moms in the Street” believe that the issue of road accessibility and safety for pedestrians needs to become a priority on both the state and local level. To this end we try to raise awareness for the problem while also communicating our needs to the local and state authorities through letters, calls, meetings or rallies.

We can be reached at mamastodromo@gmail.com.
An English version of this blog can be found here: https://momsinthestreet.wordpress.com/






[1] See here.
[2] See here and here for two celebrities. Also here  (in English) and here (in Greek). The list could go on and on.


Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:

Δημοσίευση σχολίου