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First time I've seen the pedestrian crossing button pointing downward (cdn.masto.host)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/citylife@beehaw.org
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First time I've seen the pedestrian crossing button pointing downwardOn Granville Bridge with the new bike lanes, crossing is behind me @citylife #vancouver #urbanism #biketooter #city

A yellow pedestrian crossing button. Includes an explanation sign describing the walk signal, flashing hand, number countdown, and steady hand symbols. A black tactile button with a downward arrow activates the crossing. A red lamp is lit, indicating its activation.
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[–] 7 points 1 year ago (10 children)

Curious as our pedestrian crossings don't have arrows at all:
Where is it supposed to point and how does it work?

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago (8 children)

    In the US where I live (Washington state) the arrow points in the direction you want to walk. The posts usually have two buttons on them, one for each crossing direction.

    Maybe this one is for the highway to hell?

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    A portal to hell recently opened, with a half mile of protected bike lane to boot:

    https://theneedling.com/2025/07/27/cool-new-half-mile-of-bike-lane-funnels-cyclists-straight-into-portal-to-hell/

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    The fiery pit of despair at the terminus of the downtown Seattle bike route is officially the area’s second portal to hell after the first opened last year at the SeaTac Airport Cell Phone Parking Lot.

    The SeaTac portal is for cars though, not bikes. Also, it's a lot harder to navigate through hell there because you're in a car.

    These bicyclists will never understand the struggle of driving a car safely. Speaking from experience, the SeaTac portal is one of the worst, especially because during holidays and weekends the staff at SeaTac move the portal to where the road leads to the terminal. You can tell they've moved it when you see the dozens of cars parked with their hazards in the shoulder (the one with a big sign saying "emergency parking only").

    (And yes, /s)

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    This is a fantastic read that seems to come straight out of a Dirk Gently novel... But I am completely confused and have the feeling that I am missing some crucial information?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Well, I think it actually makes sense if you read the arrow like you would on a map. Up is straight ahead, down is backwards and left and right are... well, left and right. Are the buttons usually mount differently, i.e. on the side of the pole instead of the front as it is the case here?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    The ones I typically see are mounted on the side, parallel with the crosswalk.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    That is different to Germany. Here they are basically exclusively mounted facing the crosswalks in some way. I think I have never seen them mounted in parallel...
    This might explain why we don't have similar arrows, as in this configuration they might be less helpful...

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