Walking Classes Unite is a call to arms against the current methods of planning in transportation in Indian Cities (particularly Chennai). This planning process is aimed at transporting vehicles instead of people, and shows a decided bias against cyclists, hawkers and pedestrians in the favor of Cars, scooters, motorbikes and auto rickshaws.
The two pictures above tell a lot about why such a forum was needed. While the pavement meant for pedestrians is present, it is rendered useless because access to it is blocked by auto rickshaws lined one after the other. A significant amount of road space has been appropriated by these autos systematically, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road, thus forcing them to struggle between the traffic and exposing them to accidents.
Through a series of instruments like Audit Walks, Planning Check (which checks whether current Road Projects have adequate provision for pedestrians) and Exhibitions, Walking Classes Unite is trying to make our Chennai into a walker and cyclist friendly city.
