👋 Hi, I'm Nicholas Roberts. I create and perform music and write this daily blog about creativity, culture, and my life.

I live in Los Angeles with my wife and golden retriever.

Email me: hello@nicholasroberts.io

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Los Angeles is dangerous for pedestrians.

Every year, dozens of people are injured or killed because some streets lack the proper signage or infrastructure to support safe crossings.

Crosswalk Collective LA is an anonymous citizens' group that uses guerrilla tactics to plan, paint, and install safe crosswalks around Los Angeles.

Any person living in LA county can request a crosswalk be installed in their neighborhood on a dangerous intersection or crossing where someone has been hurt or nearly injured.

The group's mission statement is, “Los Angeles's streets are deadly for pedestrians and cyclists. Until the City Council acts, we paint crosswalks.”

The group doesn’t publicize every crosswalk they’ve painted, nor does it advertise who’s involved with the project.

Their website also includes a DIY guide for painting your own crosswalk that can go undetected by the city or county.

If you want or need a safer crosswalk in your neighborhood or area, consider painting one yourself.

The group estimates that there are $300 in startup costs to start your own crosswalk painting project. Then, it costs about $50 for the paint per crosswalk after that.

Not a small cost, but doable if you can get a few neighbors and friends involved.

You can also submit your requests via their website and anonymous email address. It’s unclear how long it takes for a crosswalk to get painted after the request is made, but their Instagram is full of happy citizens from over the years who have been ignored by their city council representatives.

Sometimes, actions speak louder than words in a city council meeting.