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Sporty figures appear on Innsbruck traffic lights

The winter sports city of Innsbruck now features pedestrian traffic lights with a sporty theme - inspired by the success of Vienna’s gay-themed lights which were introduced after the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest.

Sporty figures appear on Innsbruck traffic lights
Photo: Innsbruck Marketing

Rather than replacing existing traffic lights, city officials have covered the existing stick man with glass sheets featuring four motifs – a skier, snowboarder, skateboarder and a hiker.

The lights have been installed at 36 pedestrian crossings in time for the International Children's Games, which take place in Innsbruck next week.

The new designs cost the city just €1,400 and are planned to stay for an initial six months.

In Vienna city officials say the gay-themed lights, which were aimed at promoting greater tolerance and controversially cost €63,000, have led to an improvement in road safety. The lights show two illuminated figures: either a man or a woman, two men or two women, holding hands, together with a little heart symbol.

Traffic officials say the larger image means the illuminated area is increased by 40 percent and is more visible – meaning fewer people are now crossing at a red light.

An initiative to introduce similar lights in Linz was scrapped after the city’s new far-right traffic official vetoed them, saying they are unnecessary and do nothing to promote rights for gay people.