An Edmonton man has started a petition asking the city to keep the temporary rainbow crosswalks painted for last weekend's Pride Parade.

Halo Peshdary wants the three Old Strathcona crosswalks to become permanent, as a sign of support for the LGBTQ community.

He was inspired to start an online petition after seeing an online discussion about keeping the crosswalks.

"It's a very small gesture with very large effect," Peshdary said.

"It's a city's message that the LGBTQ community is welcome in the city and they are safe in the city."

Peshdary hopes to get 1,500 names on his petition on change.org.