Bridgetown After Dark¶

Bridgetown Walkability

Everyday Steps Toward a More Walkable City¶

All photos and quotes used in this story are from participants in the studies referenced at the end of the article

As Marsha steps off the bus in Bridgetown, she glances up at the early evening sky, thinking about the short walk home. The city’s historic buildings and sea air give a sense of place, but her focus is on the route ahead - navigating uneven pavement, parked cars, and stretches where the sidewalk ends altogether.

“From the time I get home, I don’t go out”, she says,reflecting on her evening routine.

Like many people living in Bridgetown and the Garrison, she often prefers to stay indoors after dark.

Image title — *Wellington Street. Without sidewalks, pedestrians resort to walking in the road*

Marsha used to walk more, sometimes in the evenings or with her daughter, but now she is more cautious.

“I ain’t walk because the crime. At the end of the day, I wanted to exercise, and I was gonna walk downtown, but I say ‘you know what? I ain’t going there now, because people getting rob every 5 seconds, and I don’t wanna get robbed. I stand home.”

This sense of concern is shared by many, particularly women, and is one reason why research shows that women in Barbados—and elsewhere—tend to be less physically active than men. If neighbourhoods are made safer and more inviting, especially after dark, this could help narrow the gap and support everyone’s wellbeing.

Most evenings, Marsha’s walk home is straightforward, but the city’s infrastructure shapes her decisions. Nearly 60% of residential streets in Bridgetown lack sidewalks, according to recent objective assessment, and only about a third of all city streets have continuous sidewalks. On her route, she often finds herself sharing space with cars or detouring around vehicles parked on narrow verges. The survey also found that many sidewalks are too narrow or in poor condition, making it harder to walk comfortably, especially with children or bags.

Lighting is another concern.

“Sometimes they got roads out there that pitch black. You gotta walk in the pitch black till you get to a street light. You get in that little bit of light, then back in that pitch dark. They need more street lights”.

Recent research on walkability found that fear of crime and poor lighting were the most common reasons given for avoiding walking after sunset, especially among women ¹. Objective data confirms that while most streets have some lighting, very few are well-lit throughout, and less than a third of streets have traffic calming features to slow vehicles ².

There are, however, positive examples. Marsha enjoys walking around Bayland or the Garrison, especially in the morning when more people are about and the area feels safer.

“I does walk straight round Bayland. Sometimes, I extend it by doing it round the Garrison”.

Residents highlighted areas like Collymore Rock and Culloden Road as walkable and social, supported by the objective findings showing these areas are better maintained, with more complete sidewalks.

On less inviting streets, Marsha occasionally encounters obstacles like garbage or overgrown verges.

“All is full garbage, and thousands of rats. I had to run from one already. It run out and past my foot. And then the whole area right there, the sidewalk is break in. I run my foot in it already”.

These maintenance issues add to the reluctance to walk and highlight the importance of regular upkeep. The city audit found that green spaces and benches are limited, and the lack of these amenities makes it harder to pause, rest, or simply enjoy walking.

But the potential for improvement is clear. Research shows that even small, targeted actions could transform the pedestrian experience in Bridgetown. Fixing broken sidewalks, resurfacing paths, and widening narrow walkways would ensure people can walk safely without having to step into traffic. Increasing the number and brightness of streetlights, particularly along routes frequently used by pedestrians, would reduce dark areas and make walking at night less intimidating. Traffic calming measures such as raised crossings or speed bumps could help slow vehicles on busy or narrow streets, especially near schools, bus stops, or shops. Establishing designated ‘safe routes’ that link neighbourhoods with public transport, markets, recreational spaces, and health centres would give people a clear, reliable path to move through the city. Keeping these routes clean and clear through regular garbage collection, debushing, and removal of hazards would show residents that their comfort and safety matter. And in areas of persistent safety concerns, a more visible community policing presence could help restore public confidence in walking after dark.

Studies show that even a 10% increase in walkability can result in as much as 80 more minutes of physical activity per person each week. This leads to better health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion, lower emissions, and stronger social connections among neighbours.

Back at home, Marsha thinks about the kind of city she’d like to see: one where safe, well-lit streets and reliable sidewalks make walking a part of daily life for everyone. If these changes are made, she believes more people—including women and girls—will feel comfortable getting outside, whether it’s for exercise, errands, or simply enjoying the neighbourhood.

Bridgetown has the data. It has the stories. And we know what works. Now is the time to act. Whether through local government initiatives, community partnerships, or advocacy by residents themselves, the momentum to create a safer, more walkable city must be sustained. With steady, practical improvements, Bridgetown and its Garrison can become a place where walking is not only possible but pleasurable—for locals and tourists alike. Every cracked pavement repaired, every streetlight installed, every safe route mapped is a step toward a healthier, more inclusive city. Let’s not wait any longer to take that step.

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Helliar G, Rocke K, Howitt C. Investigating the walkability of historic Bridgetown: assessing environmental attributes to support physical activity. Report to the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Research Awards Committee. 2018. ↩
1. Rocke K D, Howitt C, Panter J, et al. (August 24, 2023) Neighbourhood Walkability and Its Influence on Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Caribbean Small Island Developing State. Cureus 15(8): e44060. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44060
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