Bengaluru, October 16, 2025 – Navigating city streets can be a daily ordeal for pedestrians in India, and a recent social media post by Canadian resident Caleb Friesen has brought renewed attention to the issue. Friesen, who has lived in India for nearly eight years, is known for his humorous yet insightful takes on urban life in Bengaluru. In his latest post on X (formerly Twitter), he spotlighted the difficulties of using footpaths in the city, particularly while pushing a stroller, and sparked a nationwide discussion on the state of pedestrian infrastructure.

In his viral video, Friesen attempted to maneuver a stroller along a typical Bengaluru footpath, only to find it obstructed by power junction boxes, electrical poles, vendor stalls, parked vehicles, and even potted plants. The uneven surface and various obstacles made it nearly impossible for him to progress safely. Friesen accompanied the video with a list he titled, “What India footpaths are for in descending order of importance.” The satirical ranking placed pedestrians at number nine, just above “parents with strollers or differently-abled in wheelchairs.” Above them were items such as power junction boxes, hoardings, food stalls, and even Darshini overflow – a nod to the ubiquitous South Indian eateries.

Friesen’s post quickly went viral, resonating with many social media users who related to the struggles of navigating Indian sidewalks. His humorous yet biting critique highlighted a serious issue: the lack of pedestrian-centric planning in Indian cities. In many urban areas, footpaths are frequently encroached upon by vendors, vehicles, construction materials, and utility infrastructure, reducing the usable space for people on foot and making sidewalks unsafe or unusable for parents, children, and the elderly.

One user commented, “I don’t know why these metal stands are put in the way on the footpath. They are a hurdle for pedestrians and a block for child carts.” Another user, taking a more humorous approach, wrote, “The child is being trained to go over potholes. It will help when they grow up and drive their vehicle. All these potholes will feel natural to them, so they will not complain.”

A third user offered a more analytical perspective: “Good observation. A developing mindset gives the lowest priority to pedestrians, unlike a developed one. In essence, one builds for speed, the other builds for life.” The post sparked discussions on urban planning priorities in India, highlighting how roads are often designed for vehicles rather than people, with sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure treated as secondary or neglected spaces.

Friesen’s post also touched on accessibility concerns for differently-abled individuals. Wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and people with mobility challenges often face the brunt of poorly maintained or obstructed footpaths. In many areas, the uneven pavement, sudden drops, and obstacles make it unsafe or impossible to traverse, forcing people to walk on the road alongside moving vehicles, further increasing the risk of accidents.

Urban planners and civic authorities have long acknowledged the problem of footpath encroachment, but enforcement and maintenance remain inconsistent. Despite several guidelines and schemes aimed at creating pedestrian-friendly cities, the reality on the ground often differs. Friesen’s post amplified the gap between policy and practice, demonstrating how a lack of coordinated urban planning affects daily life.

Social media users from other Indian cities also joined the conversation, sharing similar experiences from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad. Many expressed frustration over how pedestrian infrastructure is consistently deprioritized in urban design, with commercial and vehicular needs often taking precedence over the safety and convenience of people on foot. “Bold of you to even add pedestrians to that list,” one user quipped, emphasizing how pedestrians are often forgotten in city planning discussions.

Experts note that pedestrian infrastructure is a crucial component of urban mobility and quality of life. Footpaths that are safe, wide, and unobstructed encourage walking, reduce reliance on vehicles, and promote healthier lifestyles. Conversely, poorly maintained sidewalks lead to increased road accidents, slower emergency response times, and reduced access to essential services for those who rely on walking or mobility aids.

The Bengaluru Municipal Corporation has made efforts in recent years to improve pedestrian pathways, including campaigns to remove encroachments, install ramps, and repair damaged sidewalks. However, enforcement remains a challenge, particularly in commercial zones where vendors occupy public spaces, or in residential areas with irregular urban growth. Friesen’s post serves as a reminder that pedestrian-focused urban planning requires not only infrastructure investment but also sustained monitoring and community cooperation.

The video also sparked a broader conversation about urban priorities in India. Pedestrian infrastructure, while essential, often receives minimal attention compared to road expansion, metro projects, and vehicular traffic management. Advocates argue that integrating walking-friendly designs into city planning can improve traffic conditions, reduce pollution, and enhance the overall urban experience. Friesen’s humorous critique highlights that until pedestrians are prioritized, daily life in Indian cities will continue to involve negotiating obstacles that should not exist in public spaces meant for human use.

In addition to highlighting safety issues, the post indirectly underscores the socio-cultural dimensions of urban planning in India. Streets are multifunctional spaces in many cities, serving as markets, social hubs, and transit routes. While this multifunctionality enriches urban life, it complicates the design and maintenance of dedicated pedestrian pathways. Friesen’s video exemplifies the friction between traditional urban practices and modern expectations of accessibility and safety.

The viral response to Friesen’s post demonstrates a growing public awareness of pedestrian rights and urban design flaws. Citizens increasingly recognize that city planning is not merely about roads and vehicles but also about creating inclusive, safe, and functional public spaces for all residents. Friesen’s humorous yet pointed observations offer a way to communicate these concerns effectively, prompting discussion among policymakers, urban planners, and ordinary citizens.

As Indian cities continue to grow rapidly, the challenges faced by pedestrians are likely to intensify unless there is a concerted effort to prioritize footpaths in urban design. Caleb Friesen’s post serves as both a critique and a call to action, reminding authorities that sidewalks are meant for people first, not obstacles, poles, or parked vehicles. It also encourages citizens to demand better infrastructure and participate in shaping urban spaces that accommodate everyone, from children and parents with strollers to differently-abled individuals and the elderly.

In conclusion, the viral video and list shared by Caleb Friesen underscore the ongoing struggle of pedestrians in Indian cities like Bengaluru. Through humor and sharp observation, he has highlighted the inadequacies of pedestrian infrastructure, sparked a conversation on urban priorities, and encouraged reflection on how public spaces can be better designed for human use. The discussion generated by his post demonstrates that pedestrian rights and safety are emerging as significant issues in Indian urban discourse, reminding city planners and residents alike that walking is not merely a means of transport but a vital aspect of daily life that deserves attention and respect.