BAHRAIN’S pedestrians will soon have a spring in their step if plans to improve the materials used for walkways are given the go-ahead.
By Mohammed Al A’ali and Hussain Aref
The Southern Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal to partially install rubber walkways at the Khalifa AlKubra Garden in Riffa.
If the experiment proves successful, the plan could be bounced out across the kingdom to encourage more citizens and expatriates to walk their way to wellness and stay fit.
The sidewalk of the future is not so concrete, it appears.
“Installing new surfaces for pathways will act as an initial testing phase for the effectiveness of the project and its impact on people’s health,” said council chairman Bader Al Tamimi.
“Enthusiasts will be able to choose their preferred mode for walking that suits their feet, bodies and comfort.
“We have opted for rubber initially because it appears to be the healthiest and most comfortable step forward. However, we may find other cheaper or better options on the market that could be tested in the future.
“It’s all a matter of encouraging people to be active, get involved in light sport and healthy lifestyles … without breaking their backs in the process or injuring their ankles!”
The council discussed path surface durability, outlining that rubber material can be used in upgrading and renovating walkways with a 20 years lifespan, in comparison to other materials such as conventional bricks that start to deteriorate around the five year mark.
There are currently only five walkways across the country with rubber coating, including the popular Al Estiqlal and Isa Town fitness tracks attracting many men, women and children.
“Rubber nowadays comes as blocks making it as easy to replace as conventional material should the area get damaged or faults appear,” said Mr Al Tamimi.
The many benefits that softer rubber flooring can provide were also discussed. They include softening the impact of falls, especially for children and the elderly, an ability to ease the pressure on feet and knee joints, and overall mitigating the possible risks of long-term walking on hard solid ground.
“The normal walkways made of bricks and stones, with constant use from those seeking to have a healthy life, can cause the eventual development of issues like a herniated disc, especially on the elders due to how solid the ground is,” explained the council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Talal Al Basheer.
The council plans to expand on path renovations in the future by adding options for those with disabilities, even proposing to hopefully implement a path dedicated for the blind where they can walk safely too.
“People should go to walkways happy and leave happy with their capabilities and disabilities taken into account,” added services and public utilities committee chairman Abdulla Abdullatif.
“Rough, flat or one standard surfaces should immediately be phased out because they don’t serve anything,” he said. “Parks should be built in a way where everyone can enjoy the facilities without getting punished for it.
“Multiple surfaces would certainly help cater for the needs of all users – rubber is the best option at the moment, but it shouldn’t be the only option going forward as new technologies are explored.”
The proposal has been forwarded to Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf for review.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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