As the name suggests, the footpath continues at the same level through an intersection and onto the next block. Interruptions may require pedestrians to cross a busy arterial street midblock or at an unsignalized location to continue walking. Continuous and accessible sidewalk networks improve mobility for all pedestrians and are particularly important for pedestrians with disabilities They provide access for all types of pedestrian travel to schools as well as work, parks, shopping areas, transit stops and other destinations. The concrete sidewalk and roadway curb continues through the crossing, and pedestrians stay at the same level. The term continuous sidewalk is sometimes used to describe sidewalks characterized by the absence of changes in elevation, known as curb cuts, at the entrances to parking areas.
The next time a street in your area is up for renewal, ask a simple question “can we make the sidewalk continuous here?” by asking for these small changes, we can begin to retrofit our suburbs, one path at a time, into the safer, more connected, and more vibrant communities we all want to live in.
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