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this is extremely not consistent by city, jurisdiction, or even road. you have to push the beg button on my street to cross but basically none of the streets around me require it.

Warren Wells, AICP@warrenjwells.bsky.social

It's always shocking to me how many people are apparently blackpilled on pedestrian call buttons, believing that they do nothing. I've come upon a group of 5 people all standing at a crosswalk and no one has pushed the button. Folks, most lights won't give you a walk phase unless you push it!

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this is because my street is managed by GDOT, the others are City of Atlanta. yes this distinction is real it is horrific to try to cross this street wit ha bike because it straight up will never change the lights for you

yeah i think walk signs are automatic when paired with lights that default to a long enough green that the crossing cycle has enough time. there are def greens near me that are way shorter if no one has hit the pedestrian cross button, is the flip side of this.

rather unfortunate. i did notice most lights have buttons and busier roads/cities (I only have Montréal as a reference) only has a timer

It's not called a "beg button" for no reason. It's a bit like the street equivalent for the close door button on an elevator. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. If you aren't familiar with that specific button, just press it