Infrastructure for pedestrians is inadequate

Readers call for better pedestrian infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. Other topics: joint Arab forces, Steve McCurry's 7 Princesses, new drivers, plastic surgery

A reader says malls should have more organised walking programmes. Pawan Singh / The National

With reference to your article Readers step up to #startwalking challenge (April 6), Abu Dhabi's footpaths are either too narrow, partially completed, suddenly disappearing, or non-existent. I'm all for encouraging more foot traffic. I miss it. But the infrastructure ought to be in place before I would consider it safe for pedestrians.

Clare L'Estrange, Abu Dhabi

The malls should have more organised walking programmes. I’m from a part of the world where the temperature is below freezing for half of the year. The malls had very good programmes for indoor walkers. Perhaps they could give gift vouchers for the most kilometres walked in a month.

Anita Welch, Abu Dhabi

There are few proper and safe pavements in Abu Dhabi. And drivers never respect pedestrians’ rights. Also it’s impossible to walk during the summer.

Subhi HS, Abu Dhabi

It’s not always possible to walk because the distances between places are enormous and the weather is challenging at certain times of the year, not to mention that the public transport does not run at its best, compared to, say, in Europe.

Valeriu Crainic, Dubai

Deal on joint forces is wise

The sagacity of the Saudis and the allies for striking an accord on the constitution of joint forces is commendable (Yemen operation is good test run for an Arab army, April 5). This is the first time that such an accord has been reached, although it might not have been the first such attempt. What has come as a pleasant surprise is the coordination and speed with which the operation commenced.

However, diplomacy must play a concurrent role. There are indications that the conflicts that are raging can expand in scope and dimension. When diplomacy can trump war, why not adopt it?

It’s impossible to predict the future of this region, but one thing is clear: another conflict would result in a catastrophe that’s beyond our imagination.

Muhammad Aslam Khan, Pakistan

Pictures are not quite perfect

The photographs you have posted on your Facebook page under the title Steve McCurry's 7 Princesses: A portrait of the strength and character of Emirati women (April 8), are very nice, but they seem to be heavily Photoshopped. The women seen in these pictures are not the real women of the Emirates. Even the sand looks cosmetic.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

They should add in Emirati women who hold down daily jobs and work as hard as any expat. They don’t necessarily wear abayas either but they are the strength of the country.

Barbara Radwan-Wiehe, US

New drivers are not the problem

Regarding your editorial Put new drivers on probation (April 6), I don't believe new drivers are necessarily the issue. It's rather those with no spatial awareness or idea of how lanes and roundabouts should work that cause most problems.

Enforcing rules with cameras would eliminate the dangers posed by drivers who tail gate, demand to drive at 160kpm and use emergency lanes.

Jeffrey M Evans, Al Ain

Plastic surgery not a solution

I can't believe that parents support their children's desire for a cosmetic surgery (Teenagers are asking for wrinkle reduction, April 7).

It’s sad that teenage children are even thinking about this, but parents need to behave like parents.

They should instil self-confidence in their children and emotionally support them, instead of bringing them to a plastic surgeon.

Julie Ní Arrachtáin, Dubai