Desire Paths

2698 readers

4 users here now

Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

lewosadebu@sh.itjust.works

250

the heart wants what it wants (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 4 days ago by merde@sh.itjust.works to c/desire_paths@sh.itjust.works

42 comments fedilink hide all child comments

🤷

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] merde@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

there's an "official" mapped bike/walk path that joins the street 200m away. It passes through a park and a creek. From the traces what i assume is that after riding between trees and on a path, people don't want to get down to the street but just continue riding/walking on the grass (which no longer is grass).

I love desire paths but i really couldn't understand this one. I've seen more interesting ones in that area, i just need a break from the rain to have the courage to stop and take photos.

i thought i've found a shortcut but the street curves away from my commute. I may go back on a sunny Sunday.

Looks like a rich suburb that can influence decision makers to privatise the circulation by having multiple dead-ends. If a car is there, they're either lost or they live there.

[–] faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 days ago

I'd have to look at a map to be certain, but it sort of looks like the curve the desire path is cutting may be part of a larger traffic-calming measure you often find in residential areas to encourage mindful driving. Pedestrians don't need to be slowed down, and aren't bound to a roadway, so it'd stand to reason they'd just take the shortest distance between two points.