Mayor Barrett and Klements Racing Bratwurst to kick off Pedestrian Safety Week

Why did Mayor Tom Barrett and the Klements Racing Brat cross the road - to remind drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Mayor Barrett and the Klements Racing Bratwurst will kick off the week at 9:00 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6th at the Riverwalk Crosswalk on Wisconsin Avenue just west of the MilwaukeeRiver. Milwaukee has had 7 pedestrians killed by motor vehicles this year, 18 were killed in 2007.

The Klements Racing Sausages will get extra duty next week Oct. 6-10 working during the City of Milwaukee’s first annual StreetShare Pedestrian Safety Week. The Sausages and other Milwaukee mascots will work at different crosswalks each day walking across the street to raise awareness that Wisconsin State Law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk whether it is marked with paint or unmarked. StreetShare Pedestrian Safety Week is timed to coincide with National Walk to School Day, Wednesday October 8th.

Too many motorists don’t stop when pedestrians try to cross the street, and even honk the horn at people in crosswalks. And many pedestrians are unaware that drivers are required by law to stop for them given appropriate warning and stopping distance. For more information on StreetShare Pedestrian Safety Week, go to www.streetshare.org or contact David Schlabowske, City of Milwaukee Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at 414-286-3144.

Calendar and Locations for the Daily Crosswalk Safety Demonstrations:

Monday 10/6/08 @ 9:00 a.m.— Riverwalk & Wisconsin Avenue

Monday 10/6/08 @ Noon — Kinnickinnic & Potter

Tuesday 10/7/08 @ 7:15 a.m.— S. 39th St. & Forest Home Ave
Tuesday 10/7/08 @ NOON—15th & Wisconsin Avenue
Wednesday 10/8/08 @ 7:30 a.m.— International Walk to School Day with Bango from the Milwaukee Bucks COA Youth and Family Center, 909 E. North Ave walk to Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School, 2463 N Buffum St.
Wednesday 10/8/08 @ 4:30pm—20th & Lloyd Street
Thursday 10/9/08 @ NOON.— Brady & Astor Streets
Thursday 10/9/08 @ 5:00 P.M.—50th & Bluemound Avenue
Friday 10/10/08 @ 8:00 a.m.— Clybourn and Jefferson Streets

For more info visit www.streetshare.org

The StreetShare program was funded with start up grants provided by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Transporation Safety