Hello, group. As promised, here is some feedback on the orange crossing
flag idea which Angela @ BCM collected from other places around the state
where it has been tried. Unfortunately, theft seems to be a common theme.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Angela King <angela@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, Jan 16, 2018 at 11:58 AM
Subject: Responses from around the state!
To: John Brooking <johnbrooking4@xxxxxxxxx>, Lee Prince <
leeleeprince51@xxxxxxxxx>
Hi John and Leelee,
Below are responses from Community Spokes re: orange flags at ped
crossings. Each paragraph is a separate response. The last one was from
Patrick Adams. Hope this assists with your discussion on this topic!
Angela
The town of Cape Elizabeth uses this system at an indicated cross walk
where Shore Road runs into Ocean Avenue. I have found, the few times that
I have used it when I ride my bike there, that most of the time, drivers
ignore it if you are standing on the curb and wave the flag. However, if
you step into the crosswalk, drivers will stop whether I am carrying the
flag or not. I don't think the flag adds anything because it is not a
system that is widely used and people are not watching for it. Unless the
system becomes widespread, I don't think it will have much effect.
It was tried in Brunswick. I believe it was effective while the flags
lasted. The problem was the flags were stolen as fast as they could be
replaced. It lasted about 2 weeks before the town gave up trying to keep
flags supplied.
I’ve experienced this internationally, but also at the Maine Coast Waldorf
School in Freeport. Even within that small community - beyond reach of
vandalism due to its location, the flags disappeared. I did feel more
secure crossing the street when I had a flag, but perhaps it was a false
sense of security?
Brunswick now has several crosswalks by Bowdoin with flashing lights and
they are extremely effective. However, this tool would not work downtown
where the street is so wide. Perhaps flags would work there (for the short
time before they all disappeared).
Camden used this a couple years ago and they seemed to like it. I know
that it is frequently discussed when we have Active Community Environments
Workshops.
--
Angela King
Community Advocacy Coordinator
Bicycle Coalition of Maine
PO Box 15272
Portland, ME 04112
207-623-4511 <(207)%20623-4511> (office)
207-956-6533 <(207)%20956-6533> (direct)
www.bikemaine.org
