Many of us are all-too familiar with being a pedestrian in Muncie. Spending most of my life on the east and west coasts, I endured a bit of shock when I first arrived here more than a year ago.
I was walking down the street listening to music when an oversized pick-up truck came hurling down the road at 45 mph.
I could make out faint country music and a loud engine roar that overpowered my walkman. I thought to ignore it until the truck slowed down and started moving off the road toward me.
I looked desperately for somewhere to run or hide but realized there was nowhere to go and the sidewalk was running out. As the truck neared a man who appeared to be in his late 20s stuck his head out the window and yelled some profanities as the driver turned the truck quickly and kicked up gravel at me. Then the engine got louder and a bout of cackling redneck laughter exploded.
It was as though I was unexpectedly attacked by pure stupidity disguised as a giant-wheeled truck.
This was the first of many similar experiences. I talked to several Ball State students and Muncie residents who said they experienced this often as well and they have come to ignore it.
It is true there does not seem to be any other reasonable option, though I can't help but wonder who exactly does this harassing and why.
Everyone I talked to said it was always men in these vehicles and never women, yet women said they were most often being harassed. This is not surprising, perhaps this is the only way these men know how to communicate to women.
However, most women I talked to said they assume any man that expresses himself aggressively through his vehicle by harassing pedestrians, is most likely compensating for a lack of ... something in another department. Big trucks with hunting themes and 25 year-old men wearing obnoxious baseball caps were also commonly reported.
I realize this points to an unfavorable stereotype of Midwestern men as rednecks, this is not intentional. It is unfortunate because there are many intelligent and respectful Midwesterners who don't harass people on the road.
However, these decent people are overshadowed by the rude ignorant men who throw things out of their vehicles and don't understand the concept of walking or bicycling. Many progressive cities are building bicycle parks and expanding sidewalks to promote exercise and environmental awareness. I would like to think Muncie is no exception, but after countless drive-by harassments it's difficult to imagine any real pedestrian progress.
Ball State campus can also be a dangerous area to walk or bike. There have been times I was almost run over while crossing a street. Sometimes cars speed-up and some pretend not to notice you. Most places on campus are good at providing a crosswalk or light to aid pedestrians, but people still get impatient and angry at walkers.
I know it's frustrating having to wait when you are in a hurry, but the people walking and biking may also be in a hurry. Campus is designed for walking to class, so if you absolutely have to drive, try to avoid the populated areas and give yourself extra time to get to class.
Remember, no matter how big your vehicle is or how important you think you are, pedestrians have the right of way for good reasons.
Nothing is worth ruining someone's day or potentially injuring them. It doesn't take much to simply share the road.
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