Some cities have enjoyed safer crosswalks than our downtown has for many years now. You do not have to go far to enjoy them yourself. Downtown Amherst at the 4-way traffic light near Bangs Community center has a very large cement crosswalk colored to look like bricks. It is completely flat for people using wheelchairs and walkers to use as well as strollers. This brick looking crosswalk was put in to make it clear where the crosswalk is and for traffic calming. It is a very busy intersection with a lot of out-of-towners driving through and this cross walk saves lives!
In Keene, New Hampshire they have had real brick crosswalks for safety and traffic calming since the 1980s.
Orlando, Florida was flat brick crosswalks in front of Universal Studio and at every corner near downtown. All these cities put these safer crosswalks in because they are more visible than fading white paint that Northampton uses.
Since the city is planning to remove the lead pipes under Main Street this would be the most cost effective time while the street is broken up, to install brick looking cement crosswalks all down the street for safety for elderly, disabled, strollers and the general walking population.
If you want to see Northampton enter the modern age of safer brick looking crosswalks please talk to people running for city offices and tell the city planner, you want this safety project completed. The city planner is Carolyn Misch, 587-1287.
Sara Elkins
Northampton