LEIDEN – The City of Leiden is using white sidewalk graffiti to raise awareness for pedestrians who struggle to find space on overcrowded pavements. In busy streets like Pelikaanstraat and Breestraat, the campaign seems to have little effect so far.
Residents report that the situation remains unchanged. Bikes are still parked en masse on the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians onto the street. Some call it dangerous, especially for people with strollers, mobility aids, or visual impairments.
Criticism of the Approach: “It’s Not Working”
Council member Kirsten Schuil (Party for the Animals) voiced the frustration of many. “You tried this last year and it didn’t work at all,” she wrote on Facebook. “Bikes are parked right on top of the graffiti. This doesn’t work for even one and a half metres.” She argues that the city should consider stronger behavioural nudges or actual enforcement.
Other residents point to a lack of bike racks. In many areas, there are few places to park legally, while abandoned bikes often take up valuable space. For now, the municipality says the campaign is meant to raise awareness, not to penalise. But for many, the search for sidewalk space continues.
