Sidewalks/trails/roads in USVI

I can't wait to hear read some of the local's replies to this one. the anticipation is killing me.

"I can't wait to hear read" - i know i know. this makes no sense. it meant to say - i can't wait to read. my brain and my fingers don't seem to connect properly some days.

guest,
Looks like no one has an answer for me, local or otherwise. Perhaps you can offer an opinion on this matter?

Sidewalks? Most places on STT there's barely enough room for two cars to pass one another. The lack of sidewalks is neither poor civil planning nor a taxi/rental car conspiracy but rather the fault of our natural, steep topography. Since there isn't room for both cars and pedestrians, most folks prefer to be a car rather than carless society.

I think we could get around better if we all rode donkeys, so my opinion really isn't that significant.

I live in Denver so I'm quite familiar with steep topography. Somehow the civil engineers have figured out a way to carve away enough earth (even with the insurmountable challenge of steep grade) to make a decent road including side walks.

Is there a point to this? you dont hear locals complaining.

Maybe i'm weird, but i don't go to other people's island and tell them how to run things.

Some places have sidewalk here - downtown has sidewalks. The country areas don't, but most places even in the states don't have sidewalks in the country.

now, back to my donkeys.

In Denver you have the space to grade roads. STT is only 84 square miles on the tops of volcanic mountain peaks.

I would agree with the above posters that a car, or a beast of burden, is the best way to get around the islands. I personally prefer a car, but if you prefer a donkey, that's great too, but please just remember to "scoop" up after it :)!

Curiousgirl, I am curious -- have you ever tried to walk the hills here on STT?

I have and do (try to) regularly, and it is a pretty major workout!!! I cannot imagine trying to get around STT on foot carrying groceries, etc. Also, apart from building challenges as well as the property ownership/legal issues (obtaining easements, and so on), I would think that sidewalks would be very hard to maintain here with the frequent earthquakes we have.

JMHO, without knowing much about this or giving it much thought up until now. I agree with you that paths and/or bike paths, like you see in many major urban areas in the states would be absolutely wonderful, but I doubt we will be seeing them anytime soon!

BTW, when I first moved here I was a little wary of walking on the roads, but you get used to it after a while. However, I walk with my iPod earphone in one ear only, so that I can listen for oncoming traffic.

A bicycle is quite a bit trickier. I see some people doing it (not many -- mostly young men who look like they are training for the Tour de France, or something). I am not sure that I will ever be that brave. It's too bad I miss bicycling quite a bit :(..........................

🙂

Can't speak for STT, but on STX our roads barely have shoulders, let alone sidewalks. There are sidewalks in the two towns, but not really anywhere else.

Speaking as a STX local, sidewalks would certainly be a good idea. However, the lack of space, the need for considerable engineering (is that the right word? I mean planning the sidewalks) and the cost are all factors that discourage building them

The other factor is maintenance. Where I come from, if there is a sidewalk in front of your house/business, you are responsible for keeping it in good order, shoveling etc. You can be sued for a slip and fall in front of your property even tho the government built the sidewalk..

Connor,

No worries. Apparently some tourists invent ways to be rude to locals long after they've returned home. Various posters have tried to answer the orginal question but it seems the relevant differences between Denver and STT are simply to complex for some people to understand. It's best to try to ignore trolls.

there are sidewalks in some parts of stx and in some neighboorhoods. not everywhere but thats ok. like the feeling of grass under my toes.

I'm happy when a pothole gets fixed.

Amen to that!!

Trade: I saw the pot hole machine out today! I am hoping that the governor subscribes to the Broken Windows theory!

dntw8up-- 84 square miles? Everything I've read says 32 square miles. Don't know if that's the "footprint" (ie,, not taking in the three dimensionality) but that's quite a difference. Where did you read the higher number? Just curious-- not ragging on you-- but I often spout of USVI facts for friends/relatives back home and now I wonder if I've been telling them something that's incorrect.

As for the question raised at the beginning of this thread, my completely un-researched and suppositional (is that a word?) opinion is that the lack of sidewalks stems from:

1. Very limited space
2. Growth rate that exceeded resources/planning ability
3. expense

My opinion; worth price charged.

East Ender, are you sure you weren't dipping into the cooking sherry when you saw that? 🙂 If you see it again, tell him I'll buy him a beer if he'd fix that small hole to China near Beverley Hills West on the way to Antilles just past Gov. Schneider's house.

There was an announcement that the road crews would be out fixing pot holes since the rains last week. Hopefully they will get to them all. http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1176610645

Yes, it's 32 square miles

Donkeys are not a far fetched thing as most of the roads were donkey trails before they were widened to become roadways for horseless carriages. These roads were eventually paved. Now some country roads do have sidewalks. Maybe some day we will see more but the hard rock base hardly allows for enough room for the road itself! Gutters are more important to install than sidewalks.Typically folks walk on the side of the roads. Skateboards and bicycles are used for recreation here nothing else.

RL

Sorry Jules, I was thinking about STX when I wrote 84 square miles. STT is 32 square miles, STX is 84 square miles.

It was because of poor civil planning that we have no sidewalks, but I do not believe it was unintended. I don't think the local govts here saw a reason to put money into them. Hard enough to get them to spend money on building a road (let alone building it correctly). Plenty of road here that are basically dirt roads or so incredibly in need or repair that you will absolutely need 4 wheel drive.

Take Donkey Hill, for instance. It is hard to drive up with a two wheel drive car when it rains out, and it is paved! I certainly would not want to try to walk up it, and forget riding a bike up it, even if you are in the Tour De France.

It is all part of the charm, IMO.

People usually walk in the road anyway, even when there are sidewalks, at least on STT. This is another case of adapting to what is.