What A Stupid Place To Put A Sign!!!
@danishcanadian (28953)
Canada
September 4, 2011 2:03am CST
It is orientation week for the University of Guelph. The city will be in total chaos until everyone figures out where they are going. To make things "easier" for the new students, signs have been played up and down Gordon Street, pointing them in the right direction. Unfortunately the idiots have placed the sign on metal saw-horses of sorts, that stretch all the way across a sidewalk. I have no qualms about kicking a sign down, if it's in my way, since there is no room for me to walk around them. Were I to trip on one of these signs, the city of Guelph and the University of Guelph would be hearing from my attorney. I have already written a letter to the editor of my local newspaper (second letter I've sent to the paper this week, though the first one was about something entirely different), and I attached a picture of one of the offending signs. I'm attaching that same picture to this post. How the hell can it be legal to block a sidewalk with these stupid signs? People in wheelchairs also use these sidewalks, along with people pushing babies in strollers. Have you ever encountered anything like this in your city? How would you/did you handle it if you did?
Here's a picture of the sign.
7 people like this
18 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
4 Sep 11
Have they done this for freshers in previous years? Making people with mobility issues or strollers divert onto the roadway to avoid the things is not right,and probably illegal...of course,it could meet with an "accident"..
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
4 Sep 11
I seem to remember doing this last year, and it pizzed me off then too. Yes, it could result in an accident, either by someone tripping over the sign in their way, or falling down the hill on the right, or having to step into the road and getting hit. About the only good that comes of this, is that there are no bikes on the sidewalks this week. LOL
3 people like this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
4 Sep 11
I meant the sign could have an accident! 
2 people like this
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
4 Sep 11
I would take the sign and park it on the grass. Elevate the right side of it so it doesn't slide down the hill.
Even better, they could hang the sign on a tree or a light standard, then it wouldn't be anywhere that's in anyone's way.
Kind of foolish if you ask me. Not to mention dangerous.
3 people like this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
4 Sep 11
Hi!
The sign really seemed to be a hassle in the road. I have not encountered such signs, those that unreasonably block the way. If I did, I would have been angry, too. I don't like being blocked especially when I'm in a hurry driving my scooter. But I would not probably think of making a complain to anybody. I would be too irritated to think about it. I will just probably kick the sign aside. 
Here, those who want to put up signs in roads should have a very good reason, but mostly they are school signs, road signs, and all that which have permission from the authorities.
Here, those who want to put up signs in roads should have a very good reason, but mostly they are school signs, road signs, and all that which have permission from the authorities. 2 people like this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
4 Sep 11
You would think that they'd find a less obtrusive place to post the signs. This definitely isn't a way to help town-gown relations.
Hopefully, the right people will come to realize what a poor choice of spots that is and will rectify it--if not for this year, then for next.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
5 Sep 11
That is totally unthinking. I believe it would be illegal in our town. We have two colleges in town. Signs go on corners, etc. but not blocking sidewalks. I would be calling the college. It may not be what they chose officially to do but more likely what some brainless employee did. Sidewalks are for walking.
@a_year_older (636)
• Malaysia
4 Sep 11
Oh my. That really is in the way. I'm guessing the person who put up the sign either never used the sidewalk or never stopped to consider the people who do use it. Which to me makes them sound like they're either an idiot or inconsiderate.
It is good that you wrote to the newspaper. Hopefully the person responsible would read and would not do that in the future.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Sep 11
That would never happen here! They have very strict rules about where signs can be placed and a very heavy fine for anyone that doesn't obey the rules! They don't want the cluttering up the side of the roads either...but never on a sideway would a sign be placed!
@moonchild1au (6240)
• Australia
7 Sep 11
I personally haven't encountered that but I have encountered a 60km sign just before a roundabout! There definitely are some people out there that don't use their brains - well, if they have any that is.
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
5 Sep 11
I agree! Blocking the sidewalk? That's absolutely mental! Though here in my country, that won't be a big issue. Implementation of the law here is lax for most cities. It's a pity actually, but this isn't the right place to start raving about my country.
Anyway, I was looking at the sign and saw that the arrows are pointing to the left and to the right. There doesn't seem to be a location pointing towards where the sidewalk leads, so maybe they're blocking it off. I know, stupid idea. I was reading the responses and got that the right side's a hill.
Oh well, we feel you on this one. Kudos for taking action! I hope they sort it out fast cause it' really dangerous
@visavis (5934)
• Philippines
4 Sep 11
Hello my friend, after seeing the sign I just thinking what was the purpose of that sign is it something doing the sidewalk like repairing or what, just sign. If no purpose of any such sign it is I think annoying and stupid but if it is in purpose I think no problem, so it is depends on the sign why it is there. In my observation only sign I saw in the street sometimes not give to me a good impression is detour because road is repairing which cause to me a long journey to my distination..
@squallming (1775)
• Malaysia
30 Mar 13
Indeed, they must have been brainless to put the sign at the sidewalk. The sidewalk is supposed to be use by the people to walk safely without obstructing the road. They could have put the sign after the sidewalk so that people will be able to be probably directed to destinations and at the same time the people are still able to use the sidewalk to move to other places.
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
4 Sep 11
Yeah, that's pretty darn stupid. Have they done that in year's past? That seems excessive.
I just took my daughter to college in Oakville yesterday. There were no signs about. Just find the college and then signs posted on poles along the driveway routes, and on the floor inside the building. Of course Sheridan College is smaller than the University of Guelph.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
4 Sep 11
Very stupid place! i dont think thats even legal.
Here small town lots of the streets dont even have sidewalks. I'd be taking the time though to file a complaint at the university and like you letting it be known to the public that they arent respecting the use of the sidewalk for pedestrians, strollers, wheelchairs.
Honestly a hazzard to anyone trying to use the sidewalk
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
4 Sep 11
That sign should not be there blocking the sidewalk like that. If it only blocked a small portion of the sidewalk, maybe that would be tolerable but not the entire width of it!
Like you, I'd have absolutely no problem moving that sign out of my way. I know that, at least here in the US, it is illegal to block a sidewalk with anything. I would think it would be illegal wherever there are sidewalks since they are placed there for your protection against the motorized traffic.
I'd call the local police and ask if I were you.
@rafiholmes (2896)
• Malaysia
4 Sep 11
wow..that is really something..really a stupid place to put a sign.. is the person or team that wanted to put the signs there are retarded?? really stupid..
m sure theres plenty of other places they can put it..hehe
thanks for providing the pic..pictures says a thousand words..
cool..discussion..
