Pedestrian facts for kids
A pedestrian is simply a person who is traveling on foot. This means they are either walking or running. Today, we usually think of pedestrians as people walking on a road or a special path called a footpath. But long ago, walking was the main way everyone got around!
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A Brief History of Walking
Walking has always been the most important way for humans to move from one place to another. The very first humans started walking out of Africa about 60,000 years ago. They walked huge distances! For example, people walked across India to reach Australia. They also walked across Asia to get to the Americas. And they walked from the Fertile Crescent area (in the Middle East) to reach Europe.
Where Pedestrians Walk Today
Today, many roads have a special path just for people walking. This path is called a sidewalk in places like the United States. In countries like the United Kingdom, it's called a pavement. These paths help keep walkers safe from cars and other vehicles.
There are also footpaths that are not next to roads. These are used only by people walking, like ramblers or hikers. You might find these paths in mountains or forests. They are often called trails.
Making Walking Easier and Safer
Groups that support pedestrians are working hard to make it easier and safer to walk in new areas. Sometimes, new neighborhoods are built without sidewalks, which can be dangerous. These groups want to make sure all new places have safe walking paths.
Some people even suggest creating large "car-free zones." In these areas, only pedestrians or people using bikes and other non-motorized vehicles are allowed. This helps create safe and quiet spaces for walking.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A sign in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, directing pedestrians to an overpass for safe crossing.
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Pedestrian signal in Santa Ana, California.
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In many places in the United States, drivers must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
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Traffic lights for pedestrians help increase safety. This is an animated pedestrian traffic light.
See also
In Spanish: Peatón para niños
