I guess I had never thought about it before. Gooseneck lamps shine on the street, not on the sidewalk. I was at a community meeting.... I guess I had never thought about it before. Gooseneck lamps shine on the street, not on the sidewalk. I was at a community meeting and a neighbor was complaining about a lack of lighting in the park. I agreed, and thought: "but there is a lack of lighting everywhere." On the way home I took special notice. There were plenty of street lights, but all arched over the street. No sidewalk lights. No wonder it's so dark around here!