– Here it would have been fantastic to have a rainbow field, where we will soon open Kim Friele’s place in connection with this year’s pride celebration. This is what city development councilor Ingrid Nergaard Fjeldstad (V) says on the road over the pedestrian crossing between the town hall and Lille Lungegårdsvann. Around Bergen this spring, one rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossing has been painted in each district. In this way, the city’s politicians want to signal that Bergen is an inclusive city, and to honor Norwegian history’s leading gay activist, Kim Friele. Now they also want to create a couple of rainbow fields in the center of the city. Because just south of the town hall is Kim Friele’s place. And to the northwest of the town hall stands the seated sculpture “Benkene til Kim”. City development councilor Ingrid Nergaard Fjeldstad criticizes the county politicians who do not want to allow rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossings, for example here near Kim Frieles plass. Photo: Arne Frank Solheim / news “Commendable, but no” The challenge is that vegans around the town hall in Bergen belong to Vestland county municipality. And county director Rune Haugsdal does not recommend giving permission for rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossings on a county road. He writes: “Bergen municipality has come up with a commendable initiative that sends a clear signal about Bergen as a diverse and inclusive city for everyone.” But still he advises against “allowing the roadway to be used as a ‘canvas’ for various expressions, messages and political markings.” He refers to the review of traffic safety. Furthermore, he argues as follows: “The traffic area must be usable by everyone, and the traffic regulation must be understood and respected by everyone, regardless of political position and value base.” The county director therefore believes that marking the rainbow should be done in other ways in the public space. This year, Laksevåg and the other districts outside the center of Bergen have one such pedestrian lane each. Photo: Arne Frank Solheim / news Illegal? On Tuesday, the transport committee in the county agreed with Haugsdal. The majority (Høgre, Frp, Sp, KrF and an independent) said no to one or more colorful pedestrian crossings in the center of Bergen, while Ap, SV and MDG said yes. – The most important thing is that it can affect traffic safety. These colors can seem disturbing and confusing. That’s what Silja Ekeland Bjørkly in Høgre says. – In addition, it is unclear whether colors in the pedestrian zone are legal at all. Vestland county has therefore asked the Swedish Road Administration to clarify the legal issues. – We cannot go against the Road Traffic Act, says Bjørkly. Silja Ekeland Bjørkly (H) says traffic safety, not the mess, is the reason she says no to rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossings. Photo: Leif Rune Løland / news – Firkanta Leiar Torgeir Toppe in the organization FRI Vestland has been stated. – This is completely square. I don’t understand their arguments. Such rainbow fields make the city more exciting, and the initiative from Bergen municipality is good support for queer people. He points out that there are such pedestrian crossings in all parts of Bergen and “all over the world”. – And this is about light-regulated crossings in 30-zones in the middle of the city centre, where people drive slowly. Torgeir Tysse in FRI Vestland believes the city will become gray without exciting colours, diversity and inclusion. Photo: Leif Rune Løland / news The city development council Fjeldstad is also critical of the position in Vestland county. – Here the county is more square and difficult than they need to be, she says. Fjeldstad offers that Bergen can possibly pay for the colors and the work. She does not buy arguments about traffic safety and the wrong arena for political marking. – We paint the colors between the white stripes, and only talk about one or two pedestrian crossings. I think that will go perfectly well, she says. Marthe Hammer (SV) hopes that the county council in June will nevertheless say yes to a rainbow transition, for example here between the town hall quarter and the “Kim Friele bench” in Bergen. Photo: Leif Rune Løland / news Respekt Marthe Hammer (SV) still hopes that it will be possible to reverse the majority when the county council will make a final decision on 13 June. – Our assessment is that this is completely safe and safe for traffic. The rainbow colors do not make it unsafe for traffic. She thinks the colors “do very well” on footpaths. – I think it will make many aware that Bergen invites diversity, she says. Bjørkly in Høgre says the majority follows the clear advice from the professional body, Trygg Trafikk and Utrykkingspolitiet. – It is not meant to be square. It is basically a positive initiative. We have great respect for the work Kim Friele has done, she says. Norway’s leading gay activist, Kim Friele from Bergen, died in 2021, aged 86. Photo: Therese Pisani / news
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Vestland county did not allow rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossings in Bergen – news Vestland
