the dot connection in new mexico

The Great Taming of Lead Coal Gathering last Friday, July 15, was the first action I participated in around pedestrian issues. Around 60 folks gathered at a corner of Lead Ave in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill neighborhood, bringing their bikes, their kids, their lawn chairs, and signs to remind the drivers speeding past at highway speeds that people live here, people who want to walk, bike and play safely in their own neighborhood.

The overall feel was that of a neighborhood gathering, which indeed it was. The majority of the participants came from the Nob Hill neighborhood, many living right on Lead and Coal where they daily experience the hazards of life along a major traffic arterial.

Because I don’t live in the neighborhood, this was my first experience of those hazards. The crossing signal is so short that a slow moving senior citizen or person with a disability would have trouble making it on time. Twice I experienced near misses while crossing the street from drivers who didn’t slow down even with a pedestrian in the crosswalk. One driver making a right hand turn on a red light did not stop or even slow down to a “California stop,” though crossing pedestrians flanked him on either side as he pushed his way through.

Folks held up signs: “We live here,” “Slow down,” to passing motorists. Others filled the crosswalk with brightly chalked messages and pictures during the too brief green lights. Kids painted signs and pictures near, but not too near, the street. (When’s the last time a kid played safely out here?) Mayoral hopefuls Eric Griego and Judy Espinosa showed up, each briefly addressing the gathering. The event generated quite a bit of timely publicity for this problem street area, with the mayoral election just around the corner.

Mostly neighbors gathered, visited and shared stories, creating a picture of a vibrant city street that I’d like to see all over Albuquerque, all the time. A city street where pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists safely share the road. A street with many folks out enjoying the day, connecting with their neighbors. Check out these pictures of the event. A few are mine.

Thanks to kelli, Julia, and everyone else who worked to make this action a success!