The Decorative Crossing  which consists of painted stripes within a downtown crosswalk that match the rainbow flag used by the LGBTQ community as a symbol of pride and diversity, is the first-of-its-kind in the city. It is also a visible reminder to the LGBTQIA+ community that Madison is a welcoming place for them, according to a statement from the city’s Arts Program administrator Karin Wolf.

While the rainbow crossings do have a strong connection to the LGBTQIA+ community, they’ve been also been used as a thank you to emergency workers during Covid-19, and recently celebrated transgender visibility day. Auckland Transport’s community transport manager Claire Dixon says the rainbow crossing is part of the wider Karangahape Enhancement Project, which has a key aim to preserve the road’s unique character while creating a street environment that supports local community and meets the needs of a growing population.

From Sketch to Reality: The Urban Impact of Rainbow Crossing Design

In Australia, a previous rainbow crossing that was installed on Oxford Street in 2013 to coincide with Mardi Gras became a global sensation before it was removed due to “health and safety concerns.” The decision prompted the DIY Rainbow Crossing movement, which saw individuals chalking their own rainbow pedestrian crossings on roads on a guerilla basis.

This year, Sydney’s first permanent rainbow crossing was unveiled in Taylor Square, and a similar crossing was installed in Melbourne this month. Meanwhile, a new rainbow zebra crossing has been relaid in Wimbledon town centre by Merton Council and Love Wimbledon BID, outside New Wimbledon Theatre. It has a more inclusive design, including representation for black and trans pride, with additional colours added to the rainbow flag’s colour palette.