MANILA, Philippines?Why did the chicken cross the street? To avoid the overpass.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando has put so much effort into prioritizing pedestrians over vehicles in the war on traffic waged daily in the concrete jungles of Metro Manila. To some extent, he has been successful.

Some developers even took his good intentions to a higher level, as seen in Bonifacio High Street, developed by Community Innovations Inc. There, the pedestrian crosswalk is raised to the same level as the sidewalk. This makes crossing easier and safer since vehicles are forced to slow down, as when approaching a hump.

In addition, the surface is made from a durable nonslip material, which may be expensive but scores well on public safety. This minimizes chances of pedestrians tripping and slipping on steps or depressions. We can only hope that innovations such as these are adopted by the public sector throughout Metro Manila.

Unsafe pedestrian walkways

Sadly, there are a number of cases where our pedestrian walkways are not safe. Aside from it being the favorite hangout of pickpockets, snatchers and hold-up man, it could likewise be physically unsafe. Take for example the overpasses in front of Ateneo University on Katipunan Avenue, some of the steps have actually eroded and have yet to be repaired. My daughter was one of the unfortunate ones who have fallen while using this overpass, thankfully, coming out of it with only some bruises and scratches.

On the overpass in front of Miriam College, the paving gets very slippery when it rains. On Julia Vargas Avenue, in the middle of the Ortigas Center, the overpass steps rise too high, violating local government building codes, making them patently unsafe.

There seems to be enough space to add another step or two and, therefore, trim the height but upon counting the steps, they seem to conform merely to commonly-held feng shui practices and not common sense. The risers are definitely too high and irregular and the treads too narrow. The metal nosing that is supposed to prevent slippage on each step actually turns out to be ?Vietcong?-type booby traps that can cause you to trip. The damaged metal sticks out like rusty, deadly spikes. These are all accidents waiting to happen.

Walking should be encouraged

Walking is healthy and should be encouraged. If only our streets are not as polluted as they are now and our walkways are safe from defects and criminal elements, then the citizens can be free and safe from unnecessary stress.

As it is, it seems safer to cross the busy roads rather than take your chances on those pedestrian overpasses. Millions use these facilities and more care and attention must be given to their design and construction.

It is always good to do things right the first time. That way, we protect lives, we save taxpayers? money, and we contribute to the welfare of the community and the environment. In addition, we encourage people to walk and save on fuel. I look forward to the time when people can walk more around Metro Manila because they want to and not because they have to.

So never ask why the chicken crossed the street. You just might get an odd answer.