LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As the snow piles up across Louisville, getting around has become nearly impossible for people who depend on wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
“Now, I'd like to get to any part of Louisville right now, but I can't,” said Matt Gibbons. “Ninety percent of the sidewalks in Louisville, whether you're a business or you're a resident, are un-shoveled.”
From Gibbons’ point of view, nearly every sidewalk he relies on is still covered with snow — forcing him into the street alongside traffic.
“I have to travel on the road and watch myself for cars and watch for this and watch for that,” he said. “So I can be safe. That’s not fair, Louisville.”
Gibbons, 61, has used a wheelchair for about six years after a spinal injury left him unable to walk. Despite the chair, he doesn’t like to sit still for long. But when sidewalks and alleys are snowed in, even a trip to the store becomes impossible.
He showed WDRB what it’s like trying to move through his neighborhood. With his front wheels stuck in a patch of packed snow, he called out: “You guys are gonna have to pull me out. Watch … that’s all I got.”
“I can’t go shopping. I can’t get laundry done," he said. "There are just so many simple things you guys don’t think about."
Just a few blocks away, Rose Nicholson was trying to cross Fourth Street in her four-wheel electric scooter.
“Look how fast the cars are coming,” Nicholson said. “They’re just not considerate of people — walkers, scooters, whatever. You gotta be careful. Again, look at the sidewalks.”
A week ago, WDRB spoke with another neighbor, Kenneth McKinney, who was trying to free his wheelchair from the snow near St. Catherine Court.
“Every time it snows, this happens,” McKinney said then.
All three live within a block of each other, and none of their sidewalks have been fully cleared. Gibbons said the problem isn’t just about him — it’s about everyone in Louisville who depends on mobility devices to get around.
“There’s thousands of people in Louisville in my same position,” he said. “If you folks would please shovel your sidewalks — whether you’re a business or a resident — you’d be helping out a lot of people.”
Mayor Craig Greenberg's Office sent the following statement when asked about getting sidewalks cleared of snow and ice:
“Per Metro ordinance, clearing of sidewalks is the responsibility of the homeowner and/or business owner. The Louisville Metro Snow Team is responsible for clearing roads. If someone sees a sidewalk that is not cleared, they can contact Metro 311. Based on these reports, the city can conduct inspections and notify property owners that, per ordinance, they need to clear their sidewalk.”
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