America Walks Blog

Posted on March 25, 2021

Want the Tools to Create a Safe Crosswalk? America Walks is Giving Away Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons

America Walks, through the generosity of Carmanah Technologies, is making available a pair of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons for the purpose of creating a safe crosswalk to a qualifying community in the states of Texas, Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Missouri, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Arkansas….

Posted on March 19, 2021

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Demand a better recipe book for safer streets

REGISTER FOR OUR WEBINAR – The ’Notorious’ MUTCD – Why Fixing a Federal Manual is Critical to Safety, Equity and Climate Have you ever approached your city about adding a crosswalk in an important location for pedestrians? If you have, you’ve probably come away frustrated. In the United States, neighborhood…

Posted on March 10, 2021

Stories from the Walking College: Kelli McIntyre Highlights Walkable Community Goals in the Struggle for Health Justice

In an effort to show you exactly the types of advocates and community leaders that join and graduate from the America Walks Walking College, we’ve produced an in-depth series of stories featuring some of our past Walking College Fellows and the details of the people-first work they’ve gone on to…

Posted on March 4, 2021

Black Voices in Urbanism, Mobility and the Walkable Community Movement

Join us in listening to some of the fundamental lessons of Black History in urbanism through some of the prominent Black voices in our sphere. People we’ve had the pleasure of learning from on our various webinars and interviews. This is not an exhaustive feature but a brief, collective call…

Posted on February 24, 2021

The Most Important Pedestrian Safety Document You’ve Never Heard Of

Here at America Walks we’re thrilled about the opportunities with a new administration – from funding sidewalks and transit, to removing urban highways, to better pedestrian safety plans. But there is one Federal Highway Administration document that is particularly critical to getting great local streets – a document you may…

Posted on February 23, 2021

Stories from the Walking College: Why Evren Sönmez Advocates ‘Streets for People’

In an effort to show you exactly the types of advocates and community leaders that join and graduate from the America Walks Walking College, we’ve produced an in-depth series of stories featuring some of our past Walking College Fellows and the details of the people-first work they’ve gone on to…

Posted on January 27, 2021

Meet America Walks’ 2020 Community Change Grantees – Grassroots Projects That Aim to Create Safety, Inclusivity and Accessibility

America Walks is excited to announce the awarded grants of the 2020 Community Change Grant Program. This program supports local, grassroots efforts to create safe, accessible, and enjoyable places to walk and be physically active for all community members. Since it’s beginning in 2015, this grant program has provided funds for…

Posted on January 27, 2021

Take Action for Stronger, Safer Communities through the Walking College

This blog was written by Emilie Bahr, Walking College Manager and Communications Specialist for America Walks. Emilie is a writer, urban planner, healthy communities advocate, and mother residing in Louisiana. In one of my earliest memories of seeing my late father angry, I am biking alongside him as he runs…

Posted on January 26, 2021

Building the Local Capacity of the National Walking Movement: Outcomes from the First Four Years of the Walking College

The Walking College is a six-month, distance-learning fellowship. Participants, paired with experienced leaders in the field and peers working in similar capacities across North America, learn about the historical underpinnings of the car-centric transportation landscape and the basics of design and policy that foster safe, inclusive, accessible design for non-motorized…

Posted on January 5, 2021

America Walks Honors Jay Walljasper – Prolific Storyteller and Champion for Unsung Walkable Communities

This is a guest blog and tribute written by Kate Kraft, Tyler Norris and Ian Thomas, all of whom worked closely with Jay Walljasper through America Walks and the Every Body Walk! Collaborative over the years.  Often times the world of walking advocacy can seem so small and insular despite…