this post was submitted on 28 May 2025
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Desire Paths

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Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path

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submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by [email protected] to c/desire_paths
 

… especially if the neighborhood is filled with little shits with too many electrified toys.

EDIT: Okay, I'm convinced. Regular bikes would actually be a sensible cause here. Let me be a curmudgeon though.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 5 days ago (6 children)

They design sidewalks the way they should be designing roads: slow, deliberately requiring attention, and inconvenient.

Every time I see a cut through like that, I know that the planner failed at their job, because they failed to design for humans of all ages and abilities.

[–] Texas_Hangover -3 points 5 days ago (3 children)

What "ability" is required to follow a sidewalk with a slight curve in it?

[–] BigDanishGuy 13 points 5 days ago

The ability to give a fuck about someone else's idea of aesthetics when you prefer function... You know, the basic cause of desire paths.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I guess you don't have people in wheelchairs or walkers where you live.

Sidewalks shouldn't be designed as obstacle courses.

[–] Texas_Hangover 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I do know a guy who modded a wheelchair into basically a drag racer. But that was just for fun. Most of them have the ability to turn pretty well.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago

People are going to take the shortest route. And they know this it happens everywhere.

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