The state of the Brussels sidewalks is abysmal. Lopsided parking meters, uneven pavement and stones jutting from the path just waiting to trip a passerby are the everyday obstacles pedestrians face in this city.

 

If you have no issues with mobility, maneuvering the sidewalks is an annoyance, the biggest consequence of which could be a stubbed toe or a skinned knee. But pedestrians who rely on canes, crutches or wheelchairs face an entirely separate set of issues when using the problematic pavements in Brussels.

 

Persons with physical disabilities and reduced mobility are left to struggle over loose cobblestones and unfinished sidewalks, bereft of adequate infrastructure to meet their unique needs. What is an inconvenience to some citizens is impassable to others.

 

It is shameful that Brussels, the seat of the European Union, does not fully embrace the EU motto of "United in Diversity" by accommodating its less mobile citizens. The crumbling sidewalks and inadequate systems for reporting and repairing them paint a poor picture of the city housing much of the Grand European Experiment.

 

The hotline responsible for receiving complaints of broken sidewalks is only available in French and Dutch, leaving international visitors and residents out of luck. Although the EU champions the ability to speak one's own language, Brussels' inability to receive sidewalk complaints in other languages is a hinderance to its diverse populace.

 

Mobility should not be restricted to anyone. The city of Brussels needs to make a concerted effort to make the sidewalks more safe and accessible for all its pedestrians. Any attempt to disregard this problem is discrimination and should be viewed as such. Although total repair of all sidewalks may be unrealistic, at the very least there should be a better system to report broken sidewalks and a newfound focus to ensure that everyone has the ability to move comfortably through the city.