**Dallas Drives: No Sidewalks Hiding Youth Heart Harm?**
By Franklin Everett ShawDallas: A City Designed to Break Your Heart (and Your Cardiovascular System)
We’ve all heard the saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” In Dallas, that includes the roads, the SUVs, and unfortunately, the risk of heart disease. Dallas, a sprawling metropolis built for cars, is actively contributing to a public health crisis, particularly among young adults aged 25-35. The lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a slow-motion health hazard.
Dallas’s devotion to the automobile is practically religious. Wide, multi-lane roads slice through neighborhoods, prioritizing vehicular flow over human well-being. Sidewalks, where they exist, are often cracked, narrow, or simply disappear without warning, forcing pedestrians into precarious situations. This car-centric design discourages walking and cycling, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Consider Oak Cliff, a neighborhood south of the Trinity River. While it boasts pockets of vibrant culture and independent businesses, its walkability score is abysmal in many areas. Try walking from the Bishop Arts District to Methodist Dallas Medical Center. You’ll encounter stretches with no sidewalks, forcing you to navigate busy streets alongside speeding traffic. This isn’t just unpleasant; it’s dangerous and actively discourages residents from choosing active transportation.
The consequences are clear. Studies have shown a direct correlation between walkability and cardiovascular health. In areas with poor walkability, residents are more likely to be overweight, have high blood pressure, and develop other risk factors for heart disease. The 25-35 age group is particularly vulnerable, as these are formative years for establishing healthy habits. If Dallas makes it difficult to walk or cycle, it’s setting up its young adults for a lifetime of health problems.
But what can be done? Giving up and moving to Portland isn’t the only option. We need a multi-pronged approach that combines individual action with systemic change.
First, let’s talk about what you, as a Dallas resident, can do right now.
Embrace the “micro-walk.” Even if your neighborhood isn’t ideal for long strolls, find opportunities to incorporate short walks into your daily routine. Park further away from your destination, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk around the block during your lunch break. These small changes can add up over time. For example, instead of driving to get coffee at a shop a few blocks away, walk.
Plan your routes strategically. Use online mapping tools to identify the safest and most walkable routes, even if they’re not the most direct. Look for streets with sidewalks, crosswalks, and lower traffic volumes. Consider using public transportation for part of your journey, even if it means a slightly longer commute.
Join a walking or cycling group. Connecting with others who share your interest in active transportation can provide motivation and support. Dallas has several active groups, such as Bike DFW and Walkable DFW, that organize regular events and advocate for better infrastructure.
Explore Dallas’s hidden gems. Despite its car-centric reputation, Dallas has some surprisingly walkable areas. The Katy Trail, White Rock Lake, and the Trinity River levee system offer scenic routes for walking, running, and cycling. Make an effort to explore these areas and incorporate them into your routine.
Invest in a good pair of walking shoes. This might seem trivial, but comfortable shoes can make a big difference in your willingness to walk.
However, individual action alone isn’t enough. We need to demand systemic change from our elected officials.
Support Complete Streets policies. Complete Streets are designed to accommodate all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities. Advocate for the implementation of Complete Streets policies in your neighborhood and throughout the city. This means wider sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and safer crosswalks.
Demand better enforcement of traffic laws. Speeding and distracted driving are major threats to pedestrian safety. Urge the Dallas Police Department to prioritize traffic enforcement in areas with high pedestrian activity.
Participate in community advocacy. Join your neighborhood association or a local advocacy group and speak out about the need for better pedestrian infrastructure. Attend city council meetings and let your elected officials know that you support policies that promote walkability.
Vote for candidates who prioritize pedestrian safety. Research the candidates running for office and support those who have a proven track record of supporting active transportation.
Support funding for pedestrian infrastructure. Advocate for increased funding for sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian improvements. The city of Dallas should prioritize these investments in its budget.
One specific challenge in Dallas is the lack of connectivity between neighborhoods. Many areas are isolated by major highways and arterial roads, making it difficult to walk or cycle from one place to another. Overcoming this challenge requires a concerted effort to build pedestrian and bicycle bridges and underpasses that connect these isolated areas.
Another pitfall is the tendency to prioritize development over pedestrian safety. New developments are often built with little regard for the surrounding pedestrian environment, resulting in a patchwork of disconnected sidewalks and unsafe crossings. To address this, the city of Dallas should require developers to incorporate pedestrian-friendly design elements into their projects.
A common mistake developers make is failing to consider the needs of people with disabilities. Sidewalks should be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices, and crosswalks should have audible signals and curb ramps. The city of Dallas should ensure that all new construction projects comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Let’s look at a specific example: the Vickery Meadow neighborhood in North Dallas. This densely populated area has a large immigrant population and a high percentage of residents who rely on walking and public transportation. However, Vickery Meadow suffers from a severe lack of pedestrian infrastructure, with narrow sidewalks, dangerous intersections, and a high rate of pedestrian accidents.
A hyper-local solution for Vickery Meadow would be to organize a community-led campaign to advocate for the implementation of Complete Streets policies in the neighborhood. This could involve organizing community meetings, collecting signatures on petitions, and meeting with elected officials to demand improvements to pedestrian infrastructure.
Dallas has a long way to go to become a truly walkable city. But by combining individual action with systemic change, we can create a healthier and more livable community for all. It’s time to demand a city that prioritizes people over cars, and a future where young adults in Dallas can thrive without sacrificing their cardiovascular health. The future of Dallas, and the health of its residents, depends on it.