Orange flags to support pedestrian safety in Aspinwall

Bright orange flags will be popping up on Aspinwall’s busiest streets.

Funded by the advocacy group Aspinwall Neighbors, the initiative will see pedestrian flags in at least two spots along the Brilliant Avenue business corridor.

“Pedestrians will be encouraged to carry a flag while crossing the street and deposit it in the holder on the opposite side,” said Neighbors President Sarah Shaffer. “This low-cost, high-visibility system is designed to make pedestrians more noticeable to drivers and give residents, especially children and older adults, an added layer of confidence and safety while crossing.”

The idea comes from resident Ian Winner, who won a Neighbors-sponsored contest to generate community spirit, safety and socialization.

“I was on a trip with my wife last year in Rhode Island and we saw folks crossing at night with bright orange flags on their way to get ice cream,” Winner, 34, said. “I had never seen that before and since pedestrian safety is big here, I thought maybe we could try it.”

The Upper St. Clair native is the winner of the second Community Grant doled out by the nonprofit Neighbors. The first went to Christina Sharbaugh to implement her Chalk the Wall initiative.

Flags were expected to make their first official appearance at the May 3 chalk festival.

Cost for a set of flags was about $200 each. Additional sets will be covered under the grant, up to $1,000 in total.

Shaffer said it’s possible the community or businesses could sponsor flags in the future.

Of Winner’s proposal, she said it was selected because it aligns with a guiding priority to empower residents to take a solution-oriented approach to community issues.

Neighbors has received seven applications since kicking off the grant program late last year.

“The community has so many great ideas and our small board can’t make them all happen without driven volunteers taking the lead,” Shaffer said.

Winner plans to work with Mayor Joe Noro, police Chief Dave Nemec, the public safety committee and council to ensure the program complements other ongoing traffic-calming efforts.

Because Aspinwall’s tree-lined streets and green spaces lend themselves to walkability, borough police have made speeding and safety a priority.

Rumble strips were installed in several locations in 2023. Police also use a speed machine to alert motorists how fast they are driving. The department launched a Slow Down campaign in August, prior to school starting, with yard signs that read “It’s a Road Not a Race.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing the flag system in motion here shortly,” said Councilmember Lou Curcio.

A three-month pilot program will help the group gather feedback and assess the impact before broader implementation.

Winner said the town’s walkability is one of the qualities that sold him on choosing Aspinwall when he moved from Lawrenceville in 2023.

“We wanted a place that’s safe to walk or ride a bike,” Winner said. “The safe neighborhood feel is important.”

The flags, he said, are inexpensive and eye-catching.

“I’m hoping folks will use it, especially kids,” he said. “I hope they find it improves safety and we can advocate for it at additional crosswalks.”

To apply for future Community Grants, visit aspinwallneighbors.org/community- grant-program.