Post Gazette It seems counterintuitive or, as one participant in a recently seminar put it, “nuts.” Removing all signs, traffic signals, curbs, lane markings and crosswalks from a city block to make it safer and more inviting both to vehicles and foot traffic? The concept, called shared space, has worked in several cities, mostly in Europe, and will be considered for the section of Liberty Avenue that forms the entrance to Downtown Pittsburgh. Adherents say doing away with the rules forces drivers and pedestrians to interact and cooperate with one another by creating an atmosphere where ownership of the entire street vests with everyone. In a typical shared space setting, drivers slow down and pay attention to pedestrians and other drivers rather than signals and signs. Foot traffic increases, stimulating retail development.

Perception:

Reality:

Full Disclosure I Jay Walk like a motherfucker. If I, god forbid, have to walk down Smithfield past that awful McDonald’s I’m cutting across the street where ever I please to avoid that cesspool. Additionally, when it’s quit time and I have to walk to my car I’m cutting every corner and blowing off every “don’t cross” sign if it means getting to my car 10 seconds soon and being 10 seconds ahead of the traffic.

That being said, “shared space” is a suicide mission. I’m just one hardo who has excellent judgement and can make the call if its safe to cross. You throw all the yinzers out there and expect everyone to cooperate you’re going to be scraping bodies off the pavement.

Bicyclist are notorious for being assholes on the road. The city gives them a 4 foot lane, they take the entire road. Insert karma video here:

If you have ever been at a crowded mall stuck behind some airhead walking slowly and preventing any potentially pass you know how infuriating that can be. If you think welcoming those clowns into traffic won’t piss off drivers who are likely already on edge, you’re in for a rude awakening…