Empowered Pedestrians: Simple Tools, Safer Streets
At STOPumbrella, we believe the simplest ideas can spark the biggest change.
Our story began with a single, powerful question: “What if an umbrella could double as a STOP sign?”
That question became a movement—to help pedestrians stand out, feel seen, and cross with confidence.
A Moment That Sparked Action
In 2017, a friend of mine, a regular at our neighborhood coffee shop, was hit by a car during his morning walk. Not long after, I passed a young boy riding his bike home from our local elementary school. Moments later, he was hit too, right outside the school.
I didn’t see the collision, but I’ll never forget the aftermath. It struck me just how vulnerable we are outside a car.
There were STOP signs for cars. What was missing was a crossing guard holding one up for him.
That difference stayed with me. A crossing guard doesn’t wait for drivers to notice someone crossing. They step forward, raise a STOP sign, and make one thing clear: someone is crossing.
Most crosswalks don’t have a crossing guard.
What if pedestrians could carry the STOP message themselves?
The solution was the STOP Umbrella: a portable STOP sign made for pedestrians.
Sometimes the clearest message is the simplest. STOP.
The STOP Umbrella
The STOP Umbrella is more than just an umbrella—it’s a collapsible STOP sign designed for real life.
Bold visibility: Expands 6x larger than a regular handheld STOP sign for maximum driver awareness.
Compact size: Folds down to the size of a water bottle—easy to slip in a tote or stroller.
Dual-purpose: Shields you from rain and sun, while boosting your visibility.
Practical style: No bulky vests—just a statement piece you’ll actually use.
“A Handle on Life”
A Handle on Life is more than a slogan. It’s the freedom to step outside, go farther, move more, and feel like the street belongs to you too. STOP Umbrella puts a little more confidence in your hand, making it easier to get out there, keep moving, and enjoy the world around you.
Our Mission: Safer Streets, Empowered Pedestrians
At STOP Umbrella, our mission is to promote healthy, active communities by making walking more visible, welcoming, and accessible.
Strides That Stop Traffic
Advocacy doesn’t stop at the umbrella. We lace up for local 5Ks—spreading joy and drawing attention to pedestrian safety as Giblet, The Chicken Who Crossed the Road, in a 7-foot inflatable chicken costume. It’s funny. It’s memorable. And it starts conversations about why visibility matters.
The chicken suit proves it: visibility works.
The STOP Umbrella makes it simple.
