NEW PALTZ- A sharp increase in incidents involving pedestrians being struck by cars in the village of New Paltz has led local officials to implement a creative solution: Providing large, polycarbonate spheres, available for users to rent while they travel around the village on foot.
“The new Safety Spheres® will allow pedestrians to explore our village’s rich historical sites and patronize our wonderful local businesses without fear of being struck by a car,” said Mayor Roger Timmons.
The spheres have been dubbed “human hamster wheels” by some due to their resemblance to a common toy that lets hamsters explore the world beyond their cages, but they are much stronger, able to absorb impacts at speeds up to 45 mph by vehicles weighing up to 20,000 lbs. Rather than killing or maiming pedestrians, local officials say, such a strike will send them ricocheting delightfully around town, perhaps to an out-of-the-way place they never otherwise would have visited. “It can be very serendipitous!” said village trustee Alexia Wykowski.
Timmons said the village originally sought more traditional solutions to the problem such as pedestrian and driver education, lowering the speed limit, installing more crosswalks and stepping up enforcement.
“But that was going to be a ton of work and, let’s face it, the real problem is everyone – drivers and pedestrians – are on their damn phones 24/7,” he said. “And we don’t blame them! Suppressing the urge to check your likes or mentions for any period of time during your waking life, including while driving or crossing the street, is pretty much impossible. Thanks to the new Safety Spheres®, you won’t have to.”
