Sporty figures appear on Innsbruck traffic lights
The winter sports city of Innsbruck now features pedestrian traffic lights with a sporty theme - inspired by the success of Vienna’s gay-themed lights which were introduced after the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest.
Rather than replacing existing traffic lights, city officials have covered the existing stick man with glass sheets featuring four motifs - a skier, snowboarder, skateboarder and a hiker.
The lights have been installed at 36 pedestrian crossings in time for the International Children's Games, which take place in Innsbruck next week.
The new designs cost the city just €1,400 and are planned to stay for an initial six months.
In Vienna city officials say the gay-themed lights, which were aimed at promoting greater tolerance and controversially cost €63,000, have led to an improvement in road safety. The lights show two illuminated figures: either a man or a woman, two men or two women, holding hands, together with a little heart symbol.
Traffic officials say the larger image means the illuminated area is increased by 40 percent and is more visible - meaning fewer people are now crossing at a red light.
An initiative to introduce similar lights in Linz was scrapped after the city’s new far-right traffic official vetoed them, saying they are unnecessary and do nothing to promote rights for gay people.
Comments
See Also
Rather than replacing existing traffic lights, city officials have covered the existing stick man with glass sheets featuring four motifs - a skier, snowboarder, skateboarder and a hiker.
The lights have been installed at 36 pedestrian crossings in time for the International Children's Games, which take place in Innsbruck next week.
The new designs cost the city just €1,400 and are planned to stay for an initial six months.
In Vienna city officials say the gay-themed lights, which were aimed at promoting greater tolerance and controversially cost €63,000, have led to an improvement in road safety. The lights show two illuminated figures: either a man or a woman, two men or two women, holding hands, together with a little heart symbol.
Traffic officials say the larger image means the illuminated area is increased by 40 percent and is more visible - meaning fewer people are now crossing at a red light.
An initiative to introduce similar lights in Linz was scrapped after the city’s new far-right traffic official vetoed them, saying they are unnecessary and do nothing to promote rights for gay people.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.