Living in a neighborhood of West Seattle that has numerous streets without sidewalks I can attest to the fact that it is anything but inviting or safe to wander sidewalkless streets. One must constantly look be on the look out for the numerous numb-nut drivers who are not paying attention. This same West Seattle neighborhood has a large number of gravel alleys which serve numerous multi-family housing project parking areas. The gravel alleys are dust bowls in the summer adding to local particulate matter air quality. In winter one finds the gravel alleys with potholes that become water filled lakes big enough to swallow small vehicles. Gravel as it has been historically used on rural roads and Forest Service roads is not a very serious option for a city. That is unless there is some modern engineering that can be done to keep it from potholing and producing dust.

A lack of sidewalks only works if cars are slowed way, way down. Like the “woonerf” (sp?) concept. Even then it’s sketchy, because some cars don’t get the idea. I can’t think of how many fenders I’ve slapped on Pike Place, to use a sort-of-similar example.

The gravel would also be a disaster for bike safety.