Navigating the streets of Fresno can be confusing in certain areas, particularly in the Downtown and Western Urban Sprawl parts of the city. The streets change direction often and loop back on themselves, largely because the city planners were inebriated while mapping out the roads, but also because Fresno is a city worth getting lost in. You might find this apparent as you drive through the streets of Fresno: a general sense that the pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers are somehow lost or have forgotten the rules of the road. Although some scientists believe it is the atmospheric haze of pollution that affects citizens of Fresno anytime they are near or on a road, the consensus is that the populous merely finds the roadways to be alluring, distracting even, with their uneven pavement, potholes, bumpiness, and inclination to always be under construction. This is an affliction seen mostly in the Downtown, South-of-Shaw, and Sprawl areas of the city.
Something you might notice as you travel around these areas are the pedestrian-road-vehicle relations (or sometimes cyclist-road-vehicle relations). At any given time during the day, you can spot pedestrians crossing the street five to ten feet away from a crosswalk, oftentimes in a diagonal line, and usually carrying groceries or carting children across the blacktop. While, at first glance, this might appear to be a nuisance, there is a long-standing routine for pedestrians to wait for cars to approach and then cross the roadway. This, according to the Fresno Pedestrians for Jaywalking, is intended to help regulate traffic, keeping it slow and steady. (One should note that, while some citizens have only good intentions in crossing the street, it has been rumored that a few pedestrians who have been struck by moving vehicles have received nice insurance settlements after the accidents.) The group, established in 1989, lost its faith in the current traffic system, feeling that drivers simply drove too fast through the streets of Fresno; they weren’t taking their time to get lost in the allure of the city. FPJ attempted to resolve the issue by Jaywalking: civil disobedience to correct a wrong. Ever since, they have crossed away from crosswalks in attempt to slow traffic.
However, as of recent, there have been increased reports of pedestrian obstructions of traffic. Fresno Pedestrians for Jaywalking first began an initiative to popularize their methods, posting videos online and beckoning Fresnans to join along. Citizens were encouraged to bring a little notoriety to the city by attempting to create a new meme, much in the same vein as planking or the recent surge of clown photography (birthed in another part of the Central Valley: Bakersfield and Wasco). However, as the meme became more popular, pedestrians took it upon themselves to evolve the game, resulting in what is now called “Froggering.” The goal is to create a citywide game of Frogger, wherein pedestrians dodge traffic and attempt to make it across the street safely. Much like planking, the object is not only to Frogger, but to pull of the stunt with as much style and danger as possible.
While some casual participants only go out in the daytime, our city’s much more dedicated citizens practice their craft late at night. Even though traffic volumes are low during the evening, adventurous Froggers believe the cover of darkness creates more risks, which makes the task all the more alluring. Night Froggers don all-black clothing and cover their heads with hoods, waiting in the shadows until they see a car approaching. As the car draws near, they stand up from their crouching position and walk casually, as if they had been walking with purpose the entire time. Then, just before the car gets too close, the pedestrian walks slowly across the street. In a game of chicken, the Frogger attempts to show their bravery by slowing as the car approaches, turning to look at the vehicle, and then continuing on their way across the street. For daytime Froggers, their challenge is to not only walk across roads, but to also jam traffic on crosswalks. As daytime Froggers cross, they give a notable “Stink Eye” to any vehicle that might get too close for comfort.
Cyclists have also taken part in Froggering. Weaving slowly throughout traffic, and without a helmet, cyclists deem themselves the greatest of all Froggers, having amplified dangers while on the bicycle, without a helmet or any protective gear.
There have been many groups that have formed around Froggering, most of which are fiercely competitive with one another, to the point that they will sabotage each other’s attempts at crossing by pulling them back to safety before going into oncoming traffic. And while no violence has arisen from the competition, there is a distinct tension in the streets, on the streets, and around the streets. Nevertheless, although there is heated division among the groups, there is a collective agreement that Froggering has built a sense of community, one entrenched in opposition, disagreement, and good clean fun.
If you are interested in joining in the spirit of Froggering, teams recommend that you take practice courses in Froggering before attempting yourself. Meanwhile, it’s best to stay on alert as you drive through the city, and remember not to get too lost on your way around.
The Existential Van 