Join Wauwatosa resident and City Organizer of Jane's Walk MKE, Dominic Inouye, for a 1.5-mile walk/crosswalk audit of North Avenue from 60th to 76th Streets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. If you have ever feared for your life as vehicles barrel east or west on North Avenue or if you’re unclear what your rights as a pedestrian, bicyclist and driver are, please consider becoming a Tosa activist and advocate for safe and healthy streets. Alderpersons Heather Kuhl, Matt Stippich, and Joel Tilleson will join the walk, as will City Engineer William Wehrley, a representative from the Wauwatosa Police Department, and Caressa Givens of Safe and Healthy Streets MKE.

The group will collect data along the way. Of greatest concern is the safety (or lack thereof) of pedestrians/bicyclists using the clearly marked crosswalks along this particular stretch. They will consider the speed of vehicles traveling east-west, their ability to see pedestrians/bikes entering the crosswalks (especially at the tops of hills), and the laws as they pertain to pedestrians/bikes/vehicles. Possible crosswalk interventions that can increase this understanding and increase safety are being considered.

The group will congregate at the southwest corner of 60th and North, discuss their audit strategies, then head west, periodically crossing crosswalks as a group. They will double back from 76th and North and end the walk at the 69th St. pocket park (if it’s nice outside) or Cranky Al’s (if it’s not nice), where they will share and record observations, crosswalk stories and intervention ideas. They will walk in light drizzle but not if it’s pouring (in which case the event will be rescheduled). Everyone is invited, but Wauwatosa residents are particularly encouraged to attend. More information is available at this Facebook event page.