Why those controversial balls on Compton Avenue are a good and necessary thing - and very important for improving pedestrian safety in a city than runs on pedestrians | STLMag

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Glamour is a pedestrian in Tower Grove East, and supports the balls, reporting that crossing at intersections is now safer for those on foot because cars are having to slow down and turn more carefully. What do the critics of the balls have to say to pedestrians who now feel safer? And to be perfectly blunt, I’m sick of everyone being an expert on everything in South St. Louis, and the confirmation bias that runs rampant. I am not a traffic engineer, so I will defer to the conclusions of experts. The real experts said we needed those balls. And can we quit bashing city leaders who are doing their best to respond to their constituents’ concerns?

I guess all I’m asking is for people to express the same amount of outrage towards the reckless, nihilist driving that has become such a serious quality of life issue in St. Louis. We can’t spare any more people giving up and moving to the suburbs. The balls need to stay.

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Why those controversial balls on Compton Avenue are a good and necessary thing - and very important for improving pedestrian safety in a city than runs on pedestrians | STLMag

MoBikeFed comment: The "Slay Balls" in St. Louis have been a source of controversy--but it seems that it comes mostly from drivers who are annoyed by the fact that the balls make them slow down, watch where they are driving, and obey the law.

The balls are certainly no the be-all and end-all of road design. But they are a cost-effective way of making our streets safer, especially for everyone who walks and bicycles on them.

Kudos to leadership at the City of St. Louis for taking pro-active steps to make a better city. We need to see more of this type of leadership, not less.