06.09.2026 12:40
Citizens wanting to cross the street in Istanbul's Karaköy district encounter metal barriers when they choose the short way instead of the underpass. Some pedestrians, searching for the end of the barrier for about 100 meters, find the solution in jumping over the barriers.
In Karaköy, where Istanbul experiences its most intense pedestrian and vehicle traffic, pedestrians' struggle to cross the street created interesting scenes. Despite the underpasses and directional signs built for pedestrians in Karaköy, they fail to convince all citizens given the density of foot traffic in the area. Those wanting to cross by a shorter route get caught up in barriers and have to go around a path of about 100 meters; some, despite the prohibition, climb over the barriers to cross.
THOSE WHO WANT TO USE THE UNDERPASS FACE A CONFUSING AND LONG ROUTE
The scene that emerged on the route heavily used especially by tourists and citizens unfamiliar with the area in Karaköy reveals an interesting picture of pedestrian transportation. In aerial footage, it is seen that iron barriers stretching along a wide avenue prevent pedestrians from crossing directly, while citizens try to cross by walking along the barriers. Citizens who want to use the pedestrian underpass face a confusing long path. Confronted with various paths, some try to find their way by looking at maps.
CITIZENS WEAVE THROUGH VEHICLES
It is noteworthy that some individuals try to jump over the barriers to shorten the route even further. On the avenue with heavy vehicle traffic, some pedestrians attempting to pass between vehicles to use what they see as a shorter path pose a danger. While the use of barriers for pedestrian safety in city centers is understandable, the images in Karaköy also bring into question how much pedestrian routes align with people's daily movement habits. Some citizens obey the rules and use the underpass, some prefer to walk about 100 meters more, and others take the risky path by overcoming the barriers. The resulting images show that in Karaköy, one of Istanbul's historical and touristic centers, the question 'Which is the shortest route?' sometimes turns into a minor navigation problem for pedestrians.
'OUR PEOPLE MUST BECOME MORE AWARE'
Mehmet Şirali, who states he has used this road for many years, while explaining why pedestrians cross over the barriers and onto the road, said the problem is not solely caused by citizens, adding, "From the underpass, you can go right, left, and across. They don't want to use the underpass; they cross above and use the traffic route. What happens? Such ugly scenes occur. An overpass or a more direct route for pedestrians could be created in the area. Actually, the underpass provides access to many points. When you enter the underpass, it shows the way to Galata, Tünel, and Taksim. But we also need to raise awareness among our people a bit. Tourists, you can understand. Our people can use the underpass. Tourists don't know; they don't know which way to go," he said.
'THEY STILL USE THE ROAD DESPITE THE BARRIERS'
Şirali, who said the barriers were more open in the past, noted that barriers were installed because pedestrians over time used the road for different purposes, stating, "They want to cross to this side as they please. They jump over the top, over the iron rails. It was open before. Then, because people were parking on this side, traffic, cars pulling up, they had to surround it with rails. Some citizens continue to use the road despite the barriers.
'EVEN I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO ENTER THE UNDERPASS'
Emin Küçük, who says he has been going around the barriers for years, said, "If crossing here were a problem, look, is there a traffic cop or anyone stopping us? I've been crossing here as long as I can remember. There might be an underpass, but as far as I know, this place has been used this way for 10 years. There's no one even preventing us from crossing here. Someone was coming, I immediately signaled, 'come with me, follow the road.' Even I don't know where to enter the underpass. Why are you jumping over the iron, brother? Instead of jumping over the iron, come the safe way like me; it's better. There's no risk. I always use this road. I'm going to turn around now and use it again," he said.
'I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE ROUTE'
Serdar Dokuyucu, using the area for the first time, said the pedestrian signage is confusing. Dokuyucu said, "I also just used it. Yes, what we did is wrong, but when we come out on the other side, the road directly directs us there. If we use the crosswalks, we can't get to this side; we have to go along the edge of the road, unfortunately. The underpass is not visible enough. The underpass isn't visible, that's true. I'm a stranger here, not from around here. Even though I'm a stranger, I couldn't see the underpasses. When I used the crosswalk, it forced me onto the road. I'm trying to figure out the route. I came back and I'm waiting now. I'll look around again; I guess the underpass comes from that side. That's how I see it. I'll go through there and come out. I'm trying to figure out the way," he said.