Flirting with death: Why pedestrians shun footbridges

Members of the public cross the road at undesignated place where they ought to use footbridge. [Denish Ochieng, Standard] Footbridges are designed to enhance safety and reduce accidents on busy roads without impeding the vehicular speed or movement. In the capital city, authorities have constructed pedestrian bridges, particularly in areas identified as accident hotspots. However, many of these footbridges remain underutilised or in a state of disuse. Pedestrians avoid them for several reasons: they are often dirty, perceived as safe havens for criminals, or too cumbersome to use. The long stretches created by stairways and ramps required to elevate the bridges above road level only exacerbate the issue. Moreover, the steep stairs and sloped ramps of many pedestrian bridges are unfriendly to children, the elderly, the sick, and people with disabilities. Often, pedestrians must climb multiple flights of stairs, which discourages usage. The inconvenient and unfriendly design deters people, who instead risk crossing the road at ground level, exposing themselves to danger. Convenient alternative At-grade crossings, such as zebra crossings, offer greater convenience than footbridges. However, these crossings are unsuitable for busy highways or dual carriageways where speed limits exceed 80 kilometres per hour. Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, the Thika Superhighway, and Outering Road are examples of highways equipped with pedestrian bridges to reduce fatalities. Despite this, pedestrian fatalities remain alarmingly high. Two years ago, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) listed Outering Road as the most dangerous route in Nairobi, with 44 pedestrian fatalities recorded in 2021. On a bright morning, The Nairobian conducted a spot check at Fedha Stage along Outering Road. Richard Mutuku, a resident waiting to cross the road, was observed attempting to navigate the vehicular traffic instead of using the nearby footbridge. "Look at the footbridge. It's very long and tiresome to cross. Moreover, it ends at Stage Mpya, where there are no matatus heading to the CBD," said Mutuku, who admitted to never using the footbridge since its construction over four years ago. Mutuku is not alone. Thousands of pedestrians avoid footbridges. According to National Police Service statistics, 1,281 pedestrians died in road accidents between January and September this year. NTSA data over the past four years consistently shows pedestrians as the most vulnerable road users. Asked if he worries about the risk of being hit by speeding vehicles, Mutuku curtly replied, "It's risky, and I know that, but I just need to be careful, sometimes running to avoid being hit." The Fedha Stage area is a blackspot due to its connection between Pipeline Estate and Fedha Estate. The high volume of pedestrians and passengers crossing this dual carriageway creates a life-and-death situation as people avoid the footbridge and attempt to cross the busy road instead. According to Dan Mwenda, a shopkeeper in Fedha, pedestrians are frequently knocked down while attempting to cross. He attributes this to limited designated pick-up and drop-off points along the dual carriageway. Alice Njeri, a resident of Fedha Estate with a business in Pipeline, also finds the footbridge laborious. "Instead of climbing that long metallic bridge, why not just dash across the road in a few seconds? It's easier and faster, even if it's dangerous," she said, seemingly unfazed by the risks. Matatu touts have worsened the situation, standing in the middle of the road to compete for passengers, further endangering pedestrians. Outering Road boasts 11 footbridges at strategic points, including Pipeline, Fedha, Ngong River, Tena, Mutindwa, and Baba Dogo. Yet, many remain underused due to their poor design and inconvenience. Filthy and unsafe The problem is not limited to Outering Road. Along Jogoo Road, footbridges near Makadara and City Stadium are equally avoided. Pedestrians cite poor hygiene, with some bridges used as shelters by street families. The bridges at Muthurwa Market and the junction of Landhies Road and Haile Selassie Avenue are notorious for being filthy, reeking of human waste. "Many people want to use the footbridges but fear street families. If the county cleans them, maybe more people would use them," said Winnie Wanjiku, a trader at Muthurwa Market. Muggings on footbridges also deter users. Darkness is another major issue, as many bridges lack proper lighting. Following public outcry, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has begun installing lights on some footbridges, such as those at Imara Daima, City Cabanas, and General Motors along Mombasa Road. Seven more are earmarked for lighting upgrades. "So far we have installed lights at Imara Daima, City Cabanas and ongoing works at General Motors along Mombasa Road with seven more footbridges planned for lighting," said Samuel Kumba, a communications officer at KeNHA. Traders often occupy footbridges, further discouraging usage. For instance, at Pipeline Stage, traders set up stalls daily, leaving narrow pathways for pedestrians. According to sources, some traders bribe corrupt Nairobi City County officials to continue operating on footbridges. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of better design, regular maintenance, security, and enforcement to ensure footbridges serve their intended purpose: protecting lives. Experts Advocate for Raised At-Grade Crossings Over Footbridges to Curb Pedestrian Deaths Every day, pedestrians like Richard Mutuku risk their lives crossing Nairobi's busy Outering Road, avoiding nearby footbridges they deem inconvenient. "The footbridge is long and tiresome. It doesn't even connect me to trendy matatus heading to the city center," he explains, echoing a common sentiment among urban dwellers. Despite the availability of footbridges, Kenya records over 2,000 pedestrian fatalities annually, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). By August 2024, pedestrians accounted for the majority of the 3,056 road deaths reported. Experts argue that footbridges are not the most effective solution. Poor design, long distances, and steep stairs make them inaccessible, especially for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children. Chris Kost, ITDP Director, explains: "Footbridges inconvenience pedestrians, forcing them above speeding cars. This reinforces reckless driving and absolves drivers of responsibility for accidents near these structures." Raised at-grade crossings, which prioritize pedestrian safety through traffic calming measures like rumble strips and clear signage, are gaining support as an alternative. In Nairobi, 43% of pedestrian crashes occur within 500 meters of a footbridge, highlighting their limited effectiveness. While some agencies like the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) have piloted raised zebra crossings in select areas, challenges like terrain and land availability hinder widespread adoption. Still, experts urge a shift in strategy, arguing that at-grade crossings are safer, more accessible, and cost-effective compared to footbridges, which can cost up to Ksh 2 million each. The call is clear: to reduce pedestrian fatalities, Kenya must prioritize well-designed, raised at-grade crossings over traditional footbridges.

Flirting with death: Why pedestrians shun footbridges

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