Throughout Franklin Planning events, participants repeatedly pointed out how hard it can be to cross Franklin – especially during the evening rush hour. Our task forces suggested having volunteer crossing guards help raise pedestrian visibility on Franklin. On Bike Walk Day, Thursday May 14th, we organized grass roots crossing guards at three high traffic intersections on Franklin (24th, 25th and 26th Aves). We wore brightly colored vests and carried bright yellow flags to alert drivers of pedestrians who needed to cross the street. We also handed out flyers the summarized right of way laws.
Through our interactions with people walking on Franklin, we learned that most pedestrians do not know that they had the right of way at all intersections. Even if there isn’t a marked crosswalk, a pedestrian has a right to cross as long as approaching cars are far enough away to easily stop. Since most cars don’t obey this law, pedestrians are often trapped at intersections or even in the middle of the street as they wait for cross-traffic to stop. Many walkers were grateful to have the crossing guard escort them across the street, and expressed how it is too difficult and dangerous to cross at the unmarked intersections like 24th and 25th. Redesign hopes to organize more grass roots crossing events in the future again, to continue reminding pedestrians and cars of this issue.
