April 13, 2009

Caged sidewalk

In many of Metro Manila's major roads, the sidewalk is separated from the road by barriers. Sometimes, they're just waist-high rails but in extremely busy roads and intersections, wire mesh barriers are higher than your average Filipino. These are meant to stop people from (1) using the road to walk on; (2) crossing the road just anywhere and anytime; and (3) flagging down buses, jeepneys and/or taxis wherever they happen to be when they see the vehicle. It's only been a decade or two that road rules for pedestrians and commuters are being enforced more strictly and it's been a struggle. After all, roads in the provinces (the rural areas) are meant for everyone and everything, whether they're people, animals or vehicles. And I have no figures to show but I suspect that people like me who are Manila-born and bred and whose parents were also Manila-born and bred are actually a tiny fraction of the metro's population. I'm submitting this as an Odd Shot Monday post because I'm sure the barriers will be odd for those in other countries, but to be honest, this is a very common sight in Metro Manila.

high wire mesh barrier separating sidewalk from road

Find more Odd Shots—or post your own—at Katney's Kaboodle.
Odd Shots Monday

19 comments:

  1. LoisApril 13, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    Those barriers would certainly make me feel safer walking with young children since they have a tendency to run without worrying about danger!

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  2. JamesApril 13, 2009 at 10:09 PM

    Very interesting. I don't think that I've seen something like that before. Not even in other parts of the Philippines.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  3. LowellApril 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM

    I think it is an oddity at least as far as the US goes...we have these kinds of barriers erected when major construction is going on...but not otherwise.

    The authorities there are trying to look after the people, I guess.

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  4. GeorgeApril 13, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    I think you have definitely found an odd shot. I've not seen anything quite like these barriers before. Thanks for sharing an interesting photo.

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  5. HalcyonApril 13, 2009 at 11:06 PM

    They are not aesthetically pleasing, but it's good to keep the people safe!

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  6. HilaryApril 13, 2009 at 11:35 PM

    Hi Hilda, thank you so much for leaving the very first comment on my new photo blog! I'm very impressed with your site - really interesting pictures and info. Thanks for the welcome :)

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  7. JudyApril 13, 2009 at 11:39 PM

    It is an odd site. Brings to mind the lyrics to an old song, "Don't Fence Me In".
    I'm glad you enjoyed the Robin that I posted yesterday. They are so common here, I never thought about them not living in other countries. I learned something new!

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  8. Cezar and LéiaApril 14, 2009 at 12:23 AM

    hello Hilda!
    Great post! I agree with Lois, because it is safe for kids and kitty too!
    Kind Regards
    Léia

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  9. AnonymousApril 14, 2009 at 12:58 AM

    There is a lot to be said for seperating vehicles from people. Could do with wider sidewalks though.

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  10. AnonymousApril 14, 2009 at 1:20 AM

    I've never seen anything like that, Hilda! It would be interesting to see if it has cut down on pedestrian accidents. It must keep lots of people from jaywalking!

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  11. VPApril 14, 2009 at 3:26 AM

    Probably useful but a bit claustrophobic...

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  12. AnonymousApril 14, 2009 at 3:27 AM

    It was odd to me and I had never seen barriers like those over here. We do have high fences along both sides of highways that cross on top of other highways. This is to keep people on the top highway from throwing rocks and bottles on the passing cars and trucks below. It used to happen and some people were killed and severely injured when the large stones would come crashing through the car windshield.

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  13. marleyApril 14, 2009 at 3:46 AM

    Yes, this is odd but makes alot of sense.

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  14. UrselApril 14, 2009 at 4:49 AM

    Thanks for sharing this oddity. I agree it's safer for some, but I definitely wouldn't like it. I'm one of the people who like to cross the street whenever I like, as long as there's no car.

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  15. Gypsy at heartApril 14, 2009 at 5:01 AM

    I guess they keep the people in because they surely can't keep the cars out....

    http://wanderingwonderinggypsy.blogspot

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  16. escapeApril 14, 2009 at 2:49 PM

    odd indeed because it has to take this barriers to discipline people to follow traffic rules.

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  17. Laurie AlleeApril 14, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    I'm with Vogon Poet ... this is very claustrophobic! But what a great shot. Nice capture, Hilda!

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  18. UnknownApril 14, 2009 at 6:30 PM

    This surely looks odd but if it prevents people from getting killed, well done!

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  19. DragonstarApril 14, 2009 at 11:50 PM

    This is certainly Odd, but it seems like a good idea to me - maybe other places could copy this. I don't much like the idea of being "trapped" like this, but it would certainly discourage cars from driving onto the sidewalk just to make parking a bit easier!
    Thanks for visiting mine.

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