Although the space is outlined with traffic cones, there are o sings explaining that it is a pedestrian walkway, so many walk in the street
Some parts of the walkway are used as parking, or to place easels with advertising. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The pedestrian walkway in the heart of Ajijic has caused confusion among visitors who, instead of using it to have more space to walk, avoid it.
The walkway has been in operation for approximately three months on weekends and, occasionally, on holidays. It was put in place during the first weeks of November, sometimes from Colón to the intersection with Parroquia street, and on other occasions, from Morelos street.
Several people expressed that they do not use it because they did not realize it is meant for pedestrians, or believe it is for other uses, because there are no indications that it is for pedestrians.
«Every now and then there are (bicycle) races here, I don’t know if the lane is meant for that, because it’s been there unsigned for a while now. Some people walk there, but you don’t want to take the risk that someone might come racing or on a bicycle and run you over,» said Guadalupe, who visited Ajijic from Guadalajara.
«To me, it is so that cars do not enter this street, and do not park, because the street is like a walkway, but sometimes cars circulate here and the traffic officers do not say anything to them,» commented another woman who was walking down the street. When informed that this was a pedestrian walkway, she was surprised.
«We can’t imagine it because it doesn’t say anything; neither where it starts nor where it ends,» she added.
Due to the lack of signage or signs indicating its function, the reflective cones and traffic barrels placed along the street that connects with the access to the malecón, confuses pedestrians. In addition to the fact that it is sometimes blocked by motorcycles or advertising signs.
Acting delegate Maximiliano Macías Arceo confirmed that it is indeed a walkway. He pointed out that this weekend there were many people who walked on the street, instead of using the cones.
«Sometimes tourists get upset when they are told to use the crosswalks or the sidewalks instead of the street. They would like the street to be closed to be a walkway, but that is not possible because it is a main road,» said Macías Arceo.
Finally, the official commented that the pedestrian walkway project has been running smoothly during these months, and will continue to do so until the municipal president gives the order to change or modify the project.
Translated by Rebecca Zittle
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