L.A. becomes more pedestrian friendly with new crosswalk upgrades

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DTLA Bike Patrol officers demonstrate how to properly cross a crosswalk with a bike. Photo by Jose Ubaldo/Metro

DTLA Bike Patrol officers demonstrate how to properly cross a crosswalk with a bike. Photo by Jose Ubaldo/Metro

53 intersections throughout L.A. will be upgraded with continental crosswalks (a.k.a. zebra crossings, see above pic) by March of 2013, which is fantastic news for the thousands that live and work in L.A. Continental crosswalks provide higher visibility to advise motorists that pedestrians may be present, making for a safer walking environment. There’s also a set-back limit line to help reduce vehicular encroachment into the crosswalk area.

Cross with care! Photo by Jose Ubaldo/Metro

Cross with care! Photo by Jose Ubaldo/Metro

Mayor Villaraigosa joined Los Angeles Walks and local business owners this morning to announce the new pedestrian safety intiative at the corner of 5th St. and Spring St., the first intersection to be upgraded. The conversion of the 53 crosswalks is funded through Measure R monies set aside for pedestrian improvements by the mayor and City Council.

Eventually, LADOT would like to make continental crosswalks the new standard for all development and transit projects.

Categories: Measure R

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11 replies ›

  1. LOS ANGELES COUNTY IS STILL GROWING. CAN WE ADD MORE NUMBER COUNTDOWNS TO MORE INTERSECTION?

  2. The diagonal crosswalks only are beneficial when there are a high number of right turning vehicles and high number of pedestrians that want to cross and large number of pedestrians that will be using both crosswalks. Pasadena does not have these style crosswalks at all of the interscetions in Old Town.

    Crosswalk timing is not set for the slow walkers. Anyone that will not be quick in crossing should not enter the crosswalk at any time after the initial start. Count downs are helpful, but they should start with the walk sign.

  3. Great progress on pedestrian safety. Pedestrians should also be educated to not initiate crossing the streets on yellow or red. It would help if in dtLA, pedestrians were given more time to actually cross the street.

  4. As a bus operator in Los Angeles I have noticed that bicyclist have taken control of the streets with no regards to the rules of the streets. Bicycle police should enforce the rules and cite individuals who break the bicycle laws.

  5. All in all, a really good start. How about diagonal crosswalk like in Pasadena? I might be more folks moving.

  7. To add to the driver education campaign:

    Pedestrians have the right of way at ALL corners regardless of whether there is a crosswalk (unless there’s an explicit sign against it). Sometimes I think adding crosswalks just causes drivers to think even less.

    I’ve actually had a woman yell at me as she turned into me onto the street I was crossing even though I had waited to cross at the corner until traffic was clear. Grr, idiots!

  9. we need to to “no right on red” period. Not to mention protecting pedestrians and bicycles better, the number of auto collisions would be reduced. Also lengthen the amount the signals are red in all directions a seconds also.

  11. Meanwhile, there has to be more education on the motorists as well:

    1. Permissive right turn on red light does not mean they can go ahead and proceed to “stick out” beyond the crosswalk when the light is still red. What puzzles me is that many motorists that I have seen, seem to have the urge/obligation to complete the right turn before the light turns green. Permissive right turn on red light is not a bad thing, but it is bad when motorists abuse it.

    2. When turning right at an intersection (with traffic lights or not), do not just look to the left to check for traffic, they must also look to the right to check for approaching pedestrians on the sidewalk. I make more than 20+ crossing as a pedestrian every day. Had I not chosen to just let the motorists go first, I would have been hit about 10 times a week.