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Inclusive Planning in Tribal Communities: Engaging People With Disabilities in Designing Safe and Accessible Transportation Systems

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have the highest prevalence of disability (about 30%) of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States.  At the same time, the accessibility of public spaces and safety of roadways in tribal communities are lacking and AI/AN have a “per capita” pedestrian fatality rate more than four-and-a-half times … Continue reading Inclusive Planning in Tribal Communities: Engaging People With Disabilities in Designing Safe and Accessible Transportation Systems →

Blog

Over 25,000 Comments Calling for Safety and Equity Reforms to Once-Obscure Federal Street Manual

50+ Cities, Transit Agencies, Practitioners and National Organizations Call for Overhauling and Modernizing Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) By the end of Friday, May 14th, thousands of Americans had submitted over 25,000 comments in a once-in-a-decade opportunity to ask FHWA to make key changes to the Manual on Uniform … Continue reading Over 25,000 Comments Calling for Safety and Equity Reforms to Once-Obscure Federal Street Manual →

Two America Walks Board Members Testify on Transportation Equity

We will only achieve equity when everyone has access to what they need to thrive — starting with our most vulnerable people — no matter their race, socioeconomic status, identity, where they live, or how they move around. This was the driving tone and focus of the remarks from both Veronica Davis, Houston Transportation & … Continue reading Two America Walks Board Members Testify on Transportation Equity →

Our Submitted Comments to the Federal Register on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

For being what we were just recently referring to as The Most Important Pedestrian Safety Document You’ve Never Heard Of, an impressive 25,000 plus comments were submitted to the Federal Register on the notorious Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). As a result of the incredible work of advocates like you, plus the vocal … Continue reading Our Submitted Comments to the Federal Register on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices →

How the Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices (MUTCD) Puts Communities At Risk Via Dangerous Crosswalks

This blog features a guest video, words and work by Jessica Mathews, the operator of Epic Small Consulting, demonstrating just one of many ways the Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices (MUTCD) puts communities across the U.S. in danger. Jessica has been a people-first / safe streets advocate for decades, challenging the inherent issues with the MUTCD. … Continue reading How the Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices (MUTCD) Puts Communities At Risk Via Dangerous Crosswalks →

Your Amazing Collection of Comments – Demanding a Better Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control devices (MUTCD) is a federal regulation based document that dictates the design of every single street in the U.S. It is deeply, inherently flawed, dated, oddly permissive and ultimately downright dangerous. To put it short – the MUTCD stands in the way of equitable, safe, accessible, sustainable, people-first communities. … Continue reading Your Amazing Collection of Comments – Demanding a Better Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices →

America Walks Announces Class of 2021 Walking College Fellows

We are thrilled to announce the the 30 local advocates who will receive Fellowships to participate in the America Walks’ Walking College program in 2021. This was our most competitive and prolific application process to date. We received 226 applications for the 30 spots available for this year’s fellowship class, an application tally almost double … Continue reading America Walks Announces Class of 2021 Walking College Fellows →

Sure, Blame the Drivers — But it’s the Street Design At Fault

This blog was written by America Walks’ Executive Director, Mike McGinn. Mike got his start in local politics as a neighborhood activist pushing for walkability.  From there he founded a non-profit focused on sustainable and equitable growth, and then became mayor of Seattle. Read more about Mike here. Garden Grove did a sting operation for … Continue reading Sure, Blame the Drivers — But it’s the Street Design At Fault →

Stories from the Walking College: Pat Jewett Advocates Moving and Walking Via a Web of Active Partnerships

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 activate in their local neighborhoods. … Continue reading Stories from the Walking College: Pat Jewett Advocates Moving and Walking Via a Web of Active Partnerships →

How the MUTCD Creates Unsafe Conditions for People Just Trying to Access Food

Don Kostelec, AICP, is a 17-year professional in active transportation planning, health analysis and comprehensive planning. In this guest blog, Don shares his experience with how the notorious Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) affects pedestrian safety and specifically, vulnerable and food insecure community members in his city.  Convenience stores are often a vital … Continue reading How the MUTCD Creates Unsafe Conditions for People Just Trying to Access Food →

Claire Stanley Joins the America Walks Board

This is an interview blog with Claire Stanley, America Walks’ newest Board Member. Claire is a Public Policy Analyst with the National Disability Rights Network, having moved recently from the American Council of the Blind, where she advocated for the rights of blind and visually impaired persons, both on a direct level as well as on … Continue reading Claire Stanley Joins the America Walks Board →