Green man, red tape: Why safe crossing times remain too short

In cities like Paris, longer pedestrian crossing times are part of a bold plan to make walking safer - especially for older people. It seems simple: more time to cross benefits everyone on foot. Yet in the UK, we’re stuck waiting ages for the green man, only to dash across before the light turns red.

Change is coming, but it’s a tiny step. The UK’s standard crossing time stands to increase by one second, with the recommended walking speed that's used to set crossing times dropping from 1.2 to 1 metre per second. That might seem like progress, but research from University College London reveals a problem: the real average is slower. Men walk at 0.9 metres per second; women, 0.8.

The result is that for many, especially older people or those with disabilities, crossing times remain dangerously short.

Are you frustrated by the time it takes for the lights to change at your local pedestrian crossing? Let us know.

{{cta-cycling}}

What is a pop-up zebra crossing?

When we were approached by a group of parents whose request for a zebra crossing at a road traffic collision black spot outside their local infant school had been turned down on grounds of cost, we went about building one ourselves as cheaply as possible.

The result was a pop-up zebra crossing that could be erected in less than two minutes. And with no need to consider drainage, the excavation of existing pavement, disposal of material, new kerbing and paving, anti-skid surfacing, road markings, traffic signs, electrical connections and pillars, the total cost came to a tiny fraction of the £114,000 quoted by the Highways Agency.

Faced with coverage of the campaign in the Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Evening Standard and Metro newspapers and on numerous radio stations, the local authority quickly installed the much-needed real zebra crossing.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, breakdown cover  and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

{{cta-cycling}}

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍