They Saw Me: A Walker's Positive Experience in Wichita.
- Cody Custer
- Dec 5, 2025
- 2 min read
I Was Seen: Kevin's Walking Experience in Wichita.
"I often enjoy walking through my Crown Heights neighborhood as well as College Hill here in Wichita. In my former running days, I grew accustomed to using the bicycle lanes because they were easier than the sidewalks and had fewer obstacles. I developed a routine of walking against the flow of traffic just for the fact that I prefer to see the traffic coming towards me and can react accordingly.
This practice has given me a front-row seat to the daily challenge of sharing the road, and unfortunately, I’ve had many moments where I felt completely invisible. Several times while running, I had to leave the bicycle lane entirely and jump up onto the curbing because a driver was slowly drifting into the bike lane, clearly distracted by their cell phone as they approached.
The other day, however, was a significant change from the norm. While out walking, I followed my routine by walking against traffic. Except on this particular day, three separate drivers actually made the deliberate effort to maneuver further away from the bike lane, providing me with ample space. More importantly, each driver made eye contact and gave me the quick, polite two-finger "farmer wave" as they passed. It was a sequence of small, intentional actions—a wave, a look, a slight steering adjustment—that completely changed my experience.
It was genuinely refreshing and encouraging to see that some drivers respect a walker's space and actively recognize them as a fellow human sharing the road. That simple act of acknowledgment was good for my spirit. It reinforced the entire purpose of the Look. See. Save. campaign. When motorists take that extra second to lift their eyes, see the person in the lane, and acknowledge them, it's more than just following a rule; it’s an act of respect that truly makes the road safer for all of us. It was good to be seen."
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