In reply to Jeb.

Jeb, the one major objection Alex (and many of us) have with beg buttons is summed up in the second paragraph: "Let’s be honest about the purpose of beg buttons. They don’t exist to make it easier for pedestrians to cross a street. ... Beg buttons exist so that signals can be timed to pump more cars through."

In other words, beg buttons make pedestrians (and bicyclists) second-class citizens. They make driving more convenient, and walking less convenient. That's a problem if you believe, as I and many here do, that our transportation system is overly slanted in favor of cars. Ask yourself why such an overwhelming majority of Americans choose to drive. Hint: the interstate highway system is the biggest, most expensive public works project in human history. It's the infrastructure - it's biased towards driving. And beg buttons are another (admittedly smaller) example of that.

Also, on a personal level, it's just annoying to walk up to an intersection as it turns green and not get a walk light.