Depending on where you live you might have come across paved paths that are quite often shortcuts into other streets and they can save time and the extra effort needed when you dont have to go the long way around.

The problem is that some of these paths can have restricted access at either end, there can be good reasons for these restrictions in place, quite often they will be in the form of a couple of metal frames in place and if you are without disabilities of any kind then they usually dont pose a problem and just require you to twist and turn a couple of times to pass through or simply just to slow down as you walk through.

As far as slowing down cyclists as they approach them or putting off a cyclist altogether from taking that route, they work, also they prevent people on motorbikes from riding down the path and in the rare cases that the paved area may be wide enough that a car could fit down the path then they of course completely block any chance of that happening.

But what if you’re in a wheelchair or on a mobility scooter?

Some of the metal frames are positioned that you could still pass through without too much difficulty but others make it much harder and can force you to take the long way around.

It seems quite inconvenient at times that some people will not be able to take a route down some paved paths because of this and in some situations it can be a bit of a nuisance if for example you are visting someone who’s home is actually along one of these paths.

What are your thoughts on this?