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Children's Crossing Signs in Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen, 31.vii.2002

Longyearbyen, 31.vii.2002
The old style Children's crossing sign really is the dream of any road sign collector: although a bit static still a very nice, sweet drawing, and done with attention to detail. Notice the faces, the hand of the girl, and the girl's hair cut with propeller — Monsieur Jean can't wait to try the same out in his salon.

The same design can also still be found in Norway.

Longyearbyen, 31.vii.2002

Barentsburg, 30.vii.2002
Barentsburg, 30.vii.2002
At first I was a bit disappointed when it came out that the warning signs near the school of the Russian settlement Barentsburg and those from Longyearbyen were identical. I thought it was a clear example of the way of least effort.

But then it dawned upon me that it was the better choice indeed. Imagine they had chosen the Russian design: the unpeople with severed extremities. That would have really been disappointing.

Longyearbyen, 13.vii.2022
Longyearbyen, 13.vii.2022
Longyearbyen, 13.vii.2022

Longyearbyen, 13.vii.2022
Longyearbyen may then be remote and difficult to reach — certainly when SAS pilots are on strike — that doesn't stop the arrival of more modern road signs. And the result is always the same: we have to accept that modern road signs show less detail and look uglier overall. The sign for a shared pedestrian and bicycle path is a good illustration.

It is therefore no wonder that local people are planting alternative (de)signs in response. We notice it here but also in several other countries: e.g. New Caledonia, Hungary, or Belarus.

It is an endearing board, I agree, but there is a problem with it. Read the discussion in Sweden.

Kjør Sakte – Barn Leker
= Drive slowly – Children playing.

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More roadsigns from Spitsbergen: Men at work Signs
More roadsigns from Norway: Men at work – Children's Crossing – Falling rock Signs
More roadsigns from Russia: Men at work – Children's Crossing Signs