Holland opposes Mini-Holland!!
Translated by Google
KNGF Guide is deeply concerned about the increasingly popular concept of shared space. This concept of public space is missing the traditional division into lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks and omitted lights and crosswalks.
Road users must together ensure a safe traffic situation. This is done mainly based on social interaction. Eye contact is important and that is natural for someone with a visual impairment impossible. In Week accessibility (5 to October 10) KNGF Guide requires extra attention to the vulnerability of guide dogs owners in shared-space areas.
Inaccessible and dangerous
It is a trend that more and more public space is transformed into "shared space", without separate footpaths, cycle paths and lanes. The removal of solid structures makes the area inaccessible to blind and very impaired road users. They lack the guidance and landmarks they need to determine where they are. They are also at the mercy of the goodwill of other road users to give them space for a safe crossing, as in Amsterdam Central, The Hague (Spui, Grote Marktstraat) and Arnhem (Steenstraat). Ellen Greve, director KNGF Guide is not assured the safety of dog and owner:'The risk is great that our target is the victim of the power of the strongest. I do not expect the Amsterdam cyclists or scooter rider suddenly will go as a gentleman in traffic gedragen.'
