A group of crosswalk art artists, one of which is a Canadian native named Peter Gibson aka Roadsworth, is generating a lively conversation about how this form of art can help in pedestrian and traffic safety efforts in major cities.  As the creative delights intrigue the eye so the foot slows on the gas pedal as the car appproaches a busy intersection.  This has become a global movement wth cross walk art in places as far away as Kyrgyzstan.  In his words the 40-year-old artist describes his intentions behind this asphalt phenomenon.  Raising traffic safety awareness is at the heart of these creations.  Traveling the U.S. you'll find other artists motivated by this cause including Graham Coreil-Allan who recently created "Hopscotch" in Baltimore, Maryland. "Roadsworth began painting the streets of Montreal in the fall of 2001. Initially motivated by a desire for more bike paths in the city and a questioning of "car culture" in general, he continued to develop a language around street markings and other elements of the urban landscape using a primarily stencil based technique. In the fall of 2004, Roadsworth was arrested for his nocturnal activities and charged with 53 counts of mischief. Despite the threat of heavy fines and a criminal record he received a relatively lenient sentence which he attributes in part to the public support he received subsequent to his arrest. Since that time, Roadsworth has received various commissions for his work and continues to be active in both visual art and music."  Read more at The Atlantic Citylab