Of course this is more efficient to the system as a whole, but it is much less efficient to those who normally walk. It's those that normally walk who prefer the efficiency most, so of course they won't want to change. This reminds me of the study that shows lane merging is most efficient when the merging lane remains full, and the cars alternate merging in a "zipper"-like fashion. It's more efficient to the system as a whole, but people care more for themselves than for the system.