Pedestrian Safety Around the World
Exploring a new place on foot? Here’s how to navigate with ease as a pedestrian.
By Vivian Vassos | Illustrations by Mike Ellis
Scramble crosswalks
Roundabouts
Left-side-of-the-road drivers
Bike lanes
Walking is a great way to explore new places, up close and at your leisure. But pedestrian rules and conventions around the world sometimes differ from those at home. Whether you’re facing a scramble crosswalk, busy bike lanes, drivers on the left side of the road or roundabouts, here’s how to stroll safely and confidently while travelling.
Pedestrian safety basics
You can use many of the same pedestrian safety strategies abroad that you do at home, says Michael Stewart, community relations consultant for CAA South Central Ontario. “Cross only at marked crossings, no jaywalking, look both ways to ensure the road is clear before crossing, follow traffic signals. Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking at night to help make yourself more visible.” And no matter where you walk, avoid distractions and concentrate on your surroundings. “Put your phone away and remove headphones before crossing the road,” Stewart says.
Scramble crosswalks
If you’ve ever seen pedestrians walking diagonally through an intersection, with vehicles stopped in all directions, you’ve seen a scramble crossing. The best way to navigate this kind of crossing? Wait for the walk signal and follow the directional flow. If you’re halfway across and the walk signal starts flashing or changes, don’t pause. Carry on quickly until you reach the other side. Be especially aware of your movement through crowded scrambles. At Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, for example, as many as 2,500 people may be crossing at once. Although it’s tempting to stop and document the experience with your phone, it’s safer to pay attention to the flow of people and cars around you, as well as your remaining time. Good to know: at the Shibuya scramble crossing, lights and a chirping noise signal when it’s safe to move through the intersection.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts are designed to ease the flow of vehicle traffic. But with speeding vehicles and constantly changing traffic patterns, they can be tricky to navigate for pedestrians. Busy roundabouts, such as the ones at Paris’ Arc de Triomphe and London’s Hyde Park Corner, often have signage that leads to underground pedestrian passageways. Look for road signs that direct pedestrians to where they can cross safely — and never make a run for it. “At roundabouts, only cross where it is marked for pedestrians and don’t assume that drivers see you. Always ensure the car is yielding to you as they enter or exit the roundabout,” says Stewart.
“Cross only at marked crossings, no jaywalking, look both ways to ensure the road is clear before crossing, follow traffic signals. Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking at night to help make yourself more visible.”
Left-side-of-the-road drivers
If you’re visiting a country where cars drive on the left side of the road, stay focused — traffic may flow differently than you’re used to. “Canadian pedestrians are used to looking left to check for approaching cars; in countries where vehicles drive on the left side of the road, you need to do the opposite,” Stewart says. “[And] when you’re navigating intersections and crosswalks in left-hand-drive countries, stay focused on where you’re walking, not on your phone.” Some left-hand-drive countries offer signage and markings to help pedestrians navigate safely on foot. In London, there are reminders to “look right” painted on roadsides, and pedestrians have the right of way at “zebra crossings” where the crosswalk is marked with thick white stripes of paint. A full guide to pedestrian crossings in England can be found on the Highway Code website.
Bike lanes
In cities where bicycles are a major form of transportation, pay close attention to where you walk. “In the Netherlands, [for example,] pedestrians must yield to cyclists if there is a bike path at a crosswalk,” Stewart says. In many cities, look for the bicycle symbol painted on the pavement as an indicator — and steer clear. Bike lanes in Amsterdam are located immediately adjacent to sidewalks, often without a curb, so it’s important to literally stay in your lane. Take note that some intersections have separate road signs and signals for cyclists. If a bicycle symbol is green and a walk signal is red, stay put. Vienna, Paris and Amsterdam are among the many cities that direct pedestrian traffic separately from cyclists. While they may take some getting used to, these signals are designed to keep traffic moving — and keep you safe on your wanderings, too. CAA
Did you know that CAA is advocating for a provincial road safety strategy to protect all road users and make local travel safer for everyone? Learn more about our work here.
Q U I Z
Scramble crosswalks
Roundabouts
Left-side-of-the-road drivers
Bike lanes
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