Local & Community
Disabled Senior Urges City to Make Palm Springs More Pedestrian Friendly
“Just yesterday, I was in the crosswalk and a car came through going 50mph, just zipping through. Not even slowing down.”
Everyday Bryan, braces himself to cross the intersection at Stevens and Palm Canyon in Uptown Palm Springs.
“I’m so vulnerable when I’m in a crosswalk,” said Bryan. “The lights don’t stop people from hitting me.”
He’s been doing this for years now, just barely missing cars speeding past him. To keep himself safe, Bryan wears a flashy neon shirt, rides with a bright orange flag, and blows his bullhorn to notify drivers he is crossing the street.
“The point is to make yourself as visible as possible. It’s amazing people just don’t see you,” said Bryan. “I feel safer with what I’ve done. I still don’t feel totally safe.”
And Bryan is not the only resident who feels that way.
“It’s a little scary at times,” said Palm Springs resident Shianne Rivera.
Rivera crosses the intersection everyday multiple times a day to get to work.
“I’ve had cars just fly right through,” Rivera said. “You push the button and no one really stops.”
At this intersection, multiple cars not only don’t break, but continue driving at full speed. One driver pulled over, saying he didn’t even see the caution signs.
“It’s completely invisible,” said Palm Springs resident Billy Kidney. “I didn’t see them flashing at all. That’s why I came back, I was so terrified, and I wanted to make sure everyone was okay.”
Now, both pedestrians and drivers are urging the city to make crosswalks safer for both parties.
“One I think the speed on the road is a bit high for a large amount of pedestrian traffic- 40mph makes me terrified,” said Kidney. “And the sheer fact there are very few lights along the path or stop signs to help slow traffic down.”
Along some crosswalks, there are safety signs, but one thing Bryan would like to see implemented are lights along the crosswalk making it clear to drivers that pedestrians are crossing.
“When it’s flashing, cars are supposed to stop,” said Bryan. “It’d be a lot safer.”
“There needs to be some more improvements to make the city pedestrian friendly,” said Kidney.
It’s not just the lack of safety signs or lights, the sidewalks themselves are oftentimes unusable for disabled residents.
“The condition of the sidewalks in this town are unbelievable,” said Bryan. “So many of these streets you don’t have sidewalks at all.”
Many residents don’t give sidewalks a second thought, but for Bryan, a disabled senior, they are a necessity. He gets around town on his 15 mile per hour motor scooter, or on good days, by walking sometimes with a walker. But, his trips are oftentimes prevented or continuously rerouted due to poorly maintained, disturbed, or missing sidewalks.
“I already have it planned out so I know where to cross the street. It’s a jigsaw puzzle,” he said. “I contacted the city when I first moved here three years ago and their response was we don’t have the money.”
NBC Palm Springs reached out to the city for comment, but did not hear back.
By: NBC Palm Springs
October 29, 2021
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Cael Woody with the dot under pressure, 2) Tatum Webster with the pass breakup, 3) Ivan Garza with the rushing TD, 4) Sean Meza with the toe tap, or 5) Jesus. Valenzuela with the strong hands #fypage #fridaynightlights #top3 #hondaofthedesert
Me On A Plate is back! We head over to @tacquila_ps to talk to chef David Arreguin about his love of spice, being the seventh of nine children, and his drive to always follow his passion. Check it out now on our website nbcpalmsprings.com
Nearly a year after wildfires tore through Mountain Center, the scars are still visible along the Palms to Pines Highway. Now, fire crews are working to repair those burn areas and reduce the risk of flooding, erosion and mudslides when heavy rain arrives. The work includes fire-line suppression repairs, water bars and other measures designed to slow rainwater and keep burned soil from washing away. CAL FIRE Riverside County Battalion Chief Ryan Lubin says the steep terrain, dry brush and limited access continue to create challenges for mountain communities. With El Niño conditions expected to bring periods of heavy rain, officials say preparing now could help protect homes and communities from the aftermath of wildfire. The message from firefighters: preparation can save lives. Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com. #MountainCenter #Highway74 #PalmsToPines #CALFIRE #Wildfire WildfireRecovery FireSafety CoachellaValley SanJacintoMountains
Gas prices in Riverside County are climbing toward $6 a gallon — and that’s more than $1 higher than this time last year. A 15-gallon fill-up now costs about $86, leaving many drivers wondering how much longer they can absorb the rising cost. On this week’s Roggin Report, Fred Roggin and the panel debate how expensive gas is changing the way people travel, work and live — and why prices are so much higher here. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #RogginReport #FredRoggin #GasPrices #RiversideCounty #CoachellaValley
As the Lindsay Clancy trial begins to close, discussions regarding postpartum mental health and postpartum care have began to draw attention to the level of care needed after childbirth. Maria Noble Valdez looked at this discussion locally with a mental health expert and mom here in Coachella Valley. #lindsayclancytrial #pospartum #mentalhealth #760 #nationalnews
EVEN PARKING HAS A VIP SECTION? A mall in Bakersfield is charging shoppers up to $10 a day for preferred parking spots closer to the entrance. So we had to ask: Would you pay for a better parking spot? And could paid parking eventually come to Valley malls? Fred Roggin and the panel weigh in on this week’s Roggin Report. Would you pay $10 for a prime parking spot? #RogginReport #FredRoggin #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Parking
📞 Call 760.466.0800 or visit DAPHealth.org to schedule your appointment today! Flu viruses change every year, and getting vaccinated is the best way to strengthen your immune system, lower the risk of severe illness or hospitalization, and protect your loved ones. Sponsored by: DAP Health
A wedding day they’ll never forget. 💍🌊 A couple in the Philippines refused to let monsoon flooding wash away their special day — exchanging vows while standing waist-deep in floodwaters. Talk about making a splash on your wedding day! #WeddingDay #Philippines #Flooding #Monsoon #Wedding #Love #NBCPalmSprings
Idyllwild’s Mayor Max III is turning four! Yes, you read that right — Idyllwild has a canine mayor, and Mayor Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller III is celebrating his fourth birthday this week. Max is part of a tradition that began in 2012, when the mountain community first elected a dog as mayor. His “campaign donations”? Belly rubs and dog treats. Mayor Max’s birthday celebration is happening Saturday, September 5, at Mountain Paws in Idyllwild, and the community is invited. Come celebrate the mayor — and maybe bring a treat. #NBCPalmSprings #Idyllwild #MayorMax #MayorMaxIII #PalmSprings CoachellaValley DogsOfInstagram DogMayor CaliforniaNews
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry