The Life-Sized City Blog

I suppose we could discuss whether or not this is 'ignoring the bull' or not... :-) In the winter in Copenhagen, protective shields are placed around all the roadside trees in order to protect them from cars splashing salty water and slush. It's one of those tiny details that most people don't think about and yet which would appear to be an expensive process - putting them up and taking them down in the spring. All to protect the trees from salt. I like the idea. Perhaps we could begin a 'splash tax' for motorists to pay for it. Here's another variation.

A reader mentioned pedestrian flags in Berkeley, California in a comment and added "I'm serious!" so I thought I'd check out this fantastic example of victim blaming in Bubble Wrap Society. He was serious. Is that scary or funny or both? Not sure. Flags are placed near intersections and the idea is that pedestrians pick one up and hold it when they wish to foolishly exercise their human right to safe urban mobility . Most of the flags have been stolen and few use them apparently. Ironically, 48 hours after these went into [non]use, a pedestrian was hit by a car. Here's what Berkeley City Councilwoman Polly Armstrong said about it at the time: "We hope over time - when drivers are paying a little more attention than that driver was - that the flags would be helpful." She added that, "Pedestrians have to be on guard and aggressive with their flags." "After hitting the pedestrian, the driver swerved into the oncoming lane and collided with ...