Pedestrian Hints in New York, August 11th 2014

Pedestrian Hints in New York, August 11th 2014

Common sense is not common practise!

The following are some hints for being a pedestrian in New York City;;

• Keep calm

• Relax

• Keep right - as the more people who do this faster the traffic flows.  Imagine you are driving a car in the USA and keep right and give way to the left.

• Look both ways always as the traffic flow may change from two way to one way.  

• The streets can be one way and alternate directions.

• Be savvy and street wise.

• Walk with purpose and confidence.

• Enjoy the sites and be aware of who is around you.

Observe the drivers:

For Australians driving on the right can be a daunting task but you could do it if you use walking as your practise run.

Watch how they drive here and give space for pedestrians at crosswalks.  I believe there are big fines for not giving space at crosswalks and that is why you see a lot of drivers reverse to not cover the crosswalk.  (I wish we had that in Australia)

• Keep right.

• Give way to the left.

• Walk as if you are driving on the road so left turns are wide and right turns are closer to the corner.

Observe the traffic lights at corners:

Take note and observe the traffic lights at corners.  For Australians look down and notice the line marking for the cars to stop.  This line is to allow for the pedestrians to have free walkway.

Think of this line when you are a pedestrian for the following hint that my friends in NYC say I should tell the New York Mayor. 

"Remember This Moment" Or "Respect This Moment!"

A famous author said I would find the way to use this idea and share it.  She loves my idea and encourages me to find a way to use it.  I finally have the courage to share it with more people:

• At the corners I call it R.T.M =  "Respect This Moment!"  Or "Remember This Moment!" by holding back at the corner intersections and not go right to the gutter's edge (unless there is no one there.  

• Do not blocking the corner to allow people to turn the corner.

• By holding back enjoy the meditation of allowing people space.

• Enjoy the satisfaction that is not all about you.

• Relish in the thought that we can all relax and get to our destinations more relaxed and quicker if only we gave space at intersections.

• My friends have seen me do the "Respect This Moment!" Or "Remember This Moment!" and one friend suggested that I post YouTube videos of me in action.  I have made a few short videos but left my cords in Australia.  I will post videos shortly when I return to Australia.

• One friend says it is like "Give them a break!" or like the subway announcement about "Courtesy"

Example in action:

• If you are travelling in a north/south direction and you approach a stop light ahead.

• Hold back where the building ends (or to allow the free square space of the corner of the sidewalk.) 

• Don't block the corner as people will try and go around. 

• Look both ways to see if there is pedestrian traffic walking east/west.

• If no one is walking east/west continue to the gutter and wait for lights to change.

• If there is pedestrian traffic flowing from either the east or west, give them space for those pedestrians who want to to turn north or south.

• Look both ways and watch the grateful faces of people as you give them space.

• Watch their faces as they appreciate how you have freed up the flow of traffic.

• Smile - as a smile is infectious.

If you experience negative feedback:

Respond and say "Remember This Moment" or "Respect This Moment" as "I am trying to give you space to move faster mate!"

• A note of caution that not everyone is caring, considerate and selfless.

• We can all be role models and show courtesy as tourists and as locals.

• Shock reaction from you is inserted here!  "No!?" you ask!

INSERT VIDEO HERE OR LINK TO YOU TUBE HERE!

• Don't push and shove

• Share the footpaths, sidewalks or traffic lanes.

• On trains - don't hold the doors open or lean on the doors.

• Give space to passengers getting off the train.  Step to the side and allow them to get off first.

• As you leave a lift, elevator or doorway do not congregate as it blocks the egress.  For example at the bottom of an escalator or "travelator" or moving walkway -  it can cause serious injuries as people are trying to get off the escalator.

• Learn where is uptown and downtown.

• Identify and locate the north direction 

• Identify and locate  south direction

• Identify and locate  is south direction

• Finally, identify and locate west.

I am sorry if this is patronising but you are on holiday and want to enjoy the immersive experience.

• Understand that there are four corners and study what is:
• North east
• North west 
• South east 
• South west

Stand on an intersection and clock wise work out the four corners as this makes it so useful when using the subway:

If you point to the following corners or directions in a clock wise order it will make it easier:

• North east
• South east  
• South west
• North west

(Insert graphic of street corner here! to show the above example)

Subway hints:

• Plan your trip in advance by studying the maps.
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• Using an electronic map or GPS increases your vulnerabiltiy on the streets.
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• Remember that they drive on the right hand side of the road in the USA. This simple hint will assist  you when you want to enter on a subway entrance:
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• Enter on the right side of the street for either direction. Beware:  Otherwise your Travel Card can time out for about 15 or 20 minutes until you can swipe it again.
• 
  
• Failing to plan is planning to fail!

Thank you Erik from Westsider Records at 233 West 72nd St for this hint:

• When travelling the MTA New York subway there is a general rule of thumb to distinguish between a LOCAL and an EXPRESS train.  (Australians would call a LOCAL train a "Stopping All Stations" train.)

• LOCAL trains will be closer to the WALL or  OUTSIDE Tracks

• EXPRESS trains will usually be the inner or middle tracks.

Mobile phone/cell phone usage:

• Do not walk and talk with your cell/mobile phone.

• You may not be covered for personal insurance if you are using your cell phone when walking or crossing the street.  Do check with your insurance company if they encourage you to walk and text while crossing streets etc!  You may be unspleasantly surprised at their exclusions and they can, and, do check your cell phone activity if you make a claim!

• Do not text when walking or driving or going to the toilet.  (Yes I wish I had photos of the guys taking a pee with their cell phone in their hand!  I have heard of about five phones being lost this way!  Enjoy the retrieval of the phone men! Ladies would not use a phone when going to the loo! Surely not!  Oscar Wilde would have a witty remark for that one if they do!)

• Walking and texting increases your levels of vulnerability and distraction.

• Thank a cop for making this city safe.

• Enjoy being caring and considerate and unselfish as New Yorkers as friendly and helpful.

• Respect This Moment!

• Remember This Moment!

My dream:

My dream was for homeless people to write R.T.M like the "ETERNITY" was written in Sydney..  This would provide  people the opportunity to take stock and take note and ponder for a moment.  Sublimely this assisting people to learn to meditate or savour the experience of waiting on a corner.

My dream is for homeless people to write R.T.M on a corners inline with the ends of buildings.  Imagine if every homeless person wrote this on every intersection.  It could make a small difference, no a huge difference in respect.  They would feel as if they were contributing to society too.  I am a dreamer and  ....... Dreams are hopeful actions.  Me sharing this is the first step into turning a dream into an action.

"Remember This Moment" Or "Respect This Moment!"

This is my first draft and it is being sent out to the universe.  It will probably need edits but here goes.....