Any Beatles fan knows the infamous Abbey Road. The image has been replicated and parodied so many times in so many different places, chances are you recognize it even if it doesn’t make you think of an English rock band.
Fans from all over seek out specific zebra crossing (that’s “crosswalk” in American) where John, Paul, George, and Ringo were photographed in their single file line. And it’s not enough for most to merely see. After all, if you’ve walked all this way already, you’re gonna want to place your feet exactly where those famous feet once crossed.
There’s just one problem. People are so focused on capturing the ‘iconic shot’ they forget to watch for cars.
Be warned: Abbey Road is an active roadway.
Yes indeed, Abbey Road is not an isolated attraction built for sight-seeing. It is a residential street filled with locals who deal with rubbernecking tourists on a daily basis. These poor people just want to get to work, or buy groceries, or simply go home and temporarily close the door on the world.
More and more people are planning their travels with an eye to environmental conservation and ethical spending. I am a huge supporter of both causes! But something else to keep in mind is how you affect the resident populace. This can be as big as choosing a tour company that employs locals, or as small as ‘pulling over’ to check your map so you aren’t standing in the middle of the sidewalk.
This might be your magical playground, but it’s somebody else’s daily life.
Wait your turn and share the road!
Techniques for the safest Abbey Road photos:
- Have your photographer stand out of the street.
- Look both ways for cars.
- Look both ways for other fans.
- Cross quickly with large strides.
- Check your photo and repeat if needed (after a few others have had their turn).
- If you see an incoming car while there are people in the road, shout, “CAR!”
- Don’t be afraid to be assertive when it’s your turn. Be fair but firm.
Amazing pictures are wonderful to have, but you can’t enjoy them as much with a concussion or broken bones. So please: watch for cars!
Kaitlin’s Adventure in London was from April 14-28, 2015