3. Reducing Risk of Accidents 🚨

Escalator accidents happen more often than people realize, especially with loose clothing or soft shoes. The brushes don’t stop the machinery directly, but they reduce the chance of entrapment by encouraging passengers to stay centered on the step.

4. An Engineering Trick 🤓

Interestingly, the brushes don’t even need to be stiff. They just have to create a slight sensation that makes riders naturally shift away from the edge. It’s a clever piece of psychology built into engineering.

5. Why They Look Like Brushes 🖤

• They’re inexpensive to manufacture.

• Easy to replace if damaged.

• Durable enough to withstand years of use.

• Their appearance makes people assume they’re harmless, while they quietly do their safety job.

✅ Final Thoughts

Next time you step on an escalator, remember: those “shoe brushes” aren’t for cleaning at all. They’re a hidden safety feature, designed to keep you—and millions of other riders—just a little bit safer every day.

👉 Now that you know, look for them next time you ride. You’ll never see escalators the same way again.

⚡ This one is perfect for triggering comments because people will argue:

• “I always thought they were for cleaning shoes!”

• “I worked in maintenance, this is 100% true.”

• “Wow, I never knew that—mind blown.”