Hastings takes steps to make road safer for pedestrians

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by Lauren Conley

Story Created: Mar 20, 2013 at 10:56 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 11:15 PM CDT

How often do you take a jog, a walk or ride your bike? One city is aiming to get people more active.

The Healthy Hastings coalition is starting an initiative called Share Our Streets.

News 5's Lauren Conley has more on the effort to encourage safety and promote healthy lifestyles.

"We won't let her ride to school here because the traffic is so heavy, especially during the time to pick up kids," Bob Bottolfson, Hastings Resident.

As Morton Elementary students get out of school, it's a mad dash to find parents, friends and their way home.

"Right now, do you think Hastings is very pedestrian and bicycle friendly?" asked Conley.

"No I don't, especially around the schools. They're very crowded, they don't stop for the kids and it's very dangerous," said Karen Fox, Hastings Resident.

The Healthy Hastings Coalition is promoting an initiative to Share our Streets, raising awareness about all the different users on the road.
Healthy Hastings plans on putting up 25 yellow signs around town.
The campaign is about more than just safety.

But, how can safer streets encourage people to ditch their cars and use their legs?

"When the day is done, we want to try to remove barriers from keeping people from being physically active," said Michael Krings, Healthy Hastings.

"Right now in the state of Nebraska a car doesn't have to stop until a pedestrian steps foot in the crosswalk," said Conley

"Well for me to tell my 6 and 9 year old to step out into the street so that traffic will stop, is not something I'm too excited about," said Krings.

Krings added that it's not just about what's legal and not legal, but what's appropriate.

"When you're running you have to stop for traffic. Traffic doesn't stop for you, and that's unfortunate," said Krings.

City Council is expected to vote on approving those signs on Monday.

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