Officials, however, retort that a media campaign has recently been launched to acquaint people with the new law and that the bill is still being studied by the People's Assembly. Pedestrians have always been disregarded. The planners have always focused on traffic problems and financial losses. Pedestrians are not included on their maps. Cars have taken over sidewalks, which are no longer safe, and pedestrians have been forced into the middle of the street.
Officials concede that pedestrians have been the principal victims of traffic problems.
They hope, however, that by establishing multi-storey garages, developing efficient public transport, imposing fines on violators, removing street peddlers and relocating public transport terminals, traffic will be streamlined and pedestrians will be able to walk and cross streets safely. Two years ago, the government launched a project to pedestrianise a number of downtown streets. Some pedestrian bridges were built, but I think they're useless. Many people are not physically able to go up long flights of stairs. Instead, Kamel suggests, tunnels should be dug below main streets, and escalators or ramps provided.