Topics
Case Studies
100 Years of Walking – Benefits of Walking
This article is part of a larger series of interviews with Mr. Donald Bean. For the full series, click here. The benefits of walking for Mr. Bean extend far beyond the long lasting connection to his family and into overall personal and community wellness. The advantages he finds when he takes those steps are ones … Continue reading 100 Years of Walking – Benefits of Walking
What America’s Most Walkable Suburb Can Teach Towns Everywhere
America Walks is pleased to be able to offer access to the latest article by Jay Walljasper, What America’s Most Walkable Suburb Can Teach Towns Everywhere. The article highlights the growing trend of suburban leaders recognizing the power of walkable spaces to attract young people, families and businesses to their communities. Jay examines Arlington County, VA, named one of … Continue reading What America’s Most Walkable Suburb Can Teach Towns Everywhere
Discussion Forums
Connecting the Dots- Region IV Town Hall
America Walks was excited to host a regional town hall meeting designed to connect local organizations with regional offices of federal agencies. Attendees heard presentations from a variety of regional offices, participated in breakout groups to identify possible synergies and ways to grow regional work and came together to commit to a series of goals for the region. Goals and Next … Continue reading Connecting the Dots- Region IV Town Hall
Tactics
Every Body Walk! Collaborative Resource- Additional Resources
Want to learn more about how to design curb extensions or make crosswalks more visible and safer? Curious to see some examples of bicycle lane treatments? Here are some resources that should answer many of your questions. Download the Additional Resources Guide Here Every Body Walk! Guide-Additional Resource
Every Body Walk! Collaborative Resource- Getting The Community On Board
Some members of your community will immediately embrace the idea of creating a more walkable environment. But others may have never given it a thought, and won’t even know what it really means, let alone why it’s a good thing or how to get there. Here are four things a community can do to build … Continue reading Every Body Walk! Collaborative Resource- Getting The Community On Board
Every Body Walk! Getting Started Guide
Many communities aspire to make themselves more walkable and livable, embracing the idea that it can improve health, the environment, even the economy. This brief describes a number of pilot or gateway projects that are ideal “starter” activities. Download the Guide Here Getting Started Guide
Every Body Walk! Getting Started Practice Briefs
The Every Body Walk! Collaborative and expert Mark Fenton are pleased to be able to offer this series of Getting Started Practice Briefs designed to provide local organizations and advocates with resources, knowledge and insider tips on how to make their communities more walkable. The data found in these guides came from key informant interviews with … Continue reading Every Body Walk! Getting Started Practice Briefs
Daylighting
To “daylight” an intersection is to clear sight lines between pedestrian crossings and oncoming cars, usually by creating no-parking zones at the curbs in front of crosswalks at that intersection. Guidance Install no-parking signs to mark the existence and length of no-parking zones Daylight at least 20′ (about one parking space) from the crosswalk at … Continue reading Daylighting
Redesign Arterial Streets for Pedestrians
Arterial streets, typically multilane thoroughfares designed to speed cars from one destination to another, are often hazardous to people on foot. The Tri-State Transportation Campaign found that 60% of pedestrian deaths in the tri-state region of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut took place on arterial roadways. Redesigning arterial streets for pedestrians involves adapting roadway … Continue reading Redesign Arterial Streets for Pedestrians
Build Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges
These are bridges designed exclusively for pedestrians and bicyclists where at-grade solutions can’t be found—often over railways, waterways, or highways— that provide needed transportation links for walkers and cyclists. Guidance Exhaust at-grade solutions first, as those are often more walkable and less expensive Locate bridges so that they are on the normal path of pedestrian … Continue reading Build Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges
Turn Underutilized Asphalt into Grass and Other Uses
Underutilized, excessive roadway and/or parking space can be reassigned to pedestrian and/or bicycle uses. Underutilized or excessive roadways have more travel lanes (or parking spaces) than necessary for the number of cars using them. New uses of roadway or parking space could include public plazas with planters and seating areas, buffered bicycle lanes, and widened … Continue reading Turn Underutilized Asphalt into Grass and Other Uses
Create Slow Zones
Slow zones consist of engineered traffic-calming measures such as speed humps, roundabouts, curb extensions, signs, optimized signal timing, and street markings to slow vehicles down to 20 miles per hour (mph) within clearly defined areas. Guidance Begin by building support among a diverse set of stakeholders Consult with all relevant stakeholders, including emergency services, police, … Continue reading Create Slow Zones
Integrate Transit, Walking, and Cycling into Projects
The needs of transit, cyclists, and pedestrians should be integrated within the design and scope of transportation projects. This can be accomplished by improving infrastructure, modifying design speeds, reconfiguring roadways, and adapting traditional traffic analysis. Guidance Conduct traffic analysis in terms of person delay rather than vehicle delay to better account for all the people … Continue reading Integrate Transit, Walking, and Cycling into Projects
Toolkits
Right of Way in the Crosswalk
Walking across the street is one of the most basic functions of life in a big city or small town, but can also be the most dangerous activity done each day. In order to arm advocates, America Walks and the law firm Swanson, Thomas, Coon, and Netwon have developed: Article that describes successful legal reforms … Continue reading Right of Way in the Crosswalk
Every Body Walk! Collaborative Resource- Additional Resources
Want to learn more about how to design curb extensions or make crosswalks more visible and safer? Curious to see some examples of bicycle lane treatments? Here are some resources that should answer many of your questions. Download the Additional Resources Guide Here Every Body Walk! Guide-Additional Resource
Every Body Walk! Collaborative Resource- Getting The Community On Board
Some members of your community will immediately embrace the idea of creating a more walkable environment. But others may have never given it a thought, and won’t even know what it really means, let alone why it’s a good thing or how to get there. Here are four things a community can do to build … Continue reading Every Body Walk! Collaborative Resource- Getting The Community On Board
Every Body Walk! Getting Started Guide
Many communities aspire to make themselves more walkable and livable, embracing the idea that it can improve health, the environment, even the economy. This brief describes a number of pilot or gateway projects that are ideal “starter” activities. Download the Guide Here Getting Started Guide
Every Body Walk! Getting Started Practice Briefs
The Every Body Walk! Collaborative and expert Mark Fenton are pleased to be able to offer this series of Getting Started Practice Briefs designed to provide local organizations and advocates with resources, knowledge and insider tips on how to make their communities more walkable. The data found in these guides came from key informant interviews with … Continue reading Every Body Walk! Getting Started Practice Briefs
Webinars
NEW WEBINAR: Storytelling for Active Transportation Advocates
Join America Walks for a New Webinar! Storytelling for Active Transportation Advocates DATE: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5342105200156786957 How can we reach more people and convince them of the benefits of inclusive and accessible walkable communities? We have incredible data on how they improve health, the … Continue reading NEW WEBINAR: Storytelling for Active Transportation Advocates
NEW WEBINAR: The Biden Administration and Transportation Policy
DATE: Monday, February 22nd, 2021 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm PST Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/73849110303743502 The inauguration of President Joe Biden and the appointment of Pete Buttigieg as USDOT leader creates the potential for a dramatic shift in U.S. transportation policy. We’ve already heard discussions of complete streets, sidewalk … Continue reading NEW WEBINAR: The Biden Administration and Transportation Policy
New Webinar: There’s A Walking App for That (May 22, 2018)
Register Here Webinar Title: There’s a Walking App for That Webinar Date/Time: eiday 22, 2018 at 2pm Eastern, 11am Pacific Register Here About the Webinar Many are talking about how technology will influence the shape of our cities and what we define as walkability, but what about the technology that will influence how we walk … Continue reading New Webinar: There’s A Walking App for That (May 22, 2018)
Fundraising on the Move: Crowdfunding for Walkable Communities Webinar
Looking to increase resident engagement in your work? Need cash quickly for an urgent project? Trying to build an individual donor base to take your nonprofit to the next level? Curious about crowdfunding? This webinar with the crowdfunding nonprofit ioby will help you learn more about how crowdfunding can be both an effective fundraising and community-engagement tool … Continue reading Fundraising on the Move: Crowdfunding for Walkable Communities Webinar
The New Federal Transportation Bill: What Does It Mean for the Walking Movement?
America Walks, Rails to Trails Conservancy and LOCUS hosted a free joint webinar “The New Federal Transportation Bill: What Does It Mean for the Walking Movement?” on February 24 at 2pm Eastern. The webinar examined the FAST Act legislation passed in December 2015 and discussed ways that traditional and new programs in the legislation can … Continue reading The New Federal Transportation Bill: What Does It Mean for the Walking Movement?
Livable Communities for All Ages Webinar
America Walks is excited to partner with AARP for its first webinar of 2016. To meet its commitment to creating great places for people of all ages, AARP has developed several resources that should be in the toolbox of any walking advocate. AARP’s Jeanne Anthony will walk participants through two of their resources, the Livability … Continue reading Livable Communities for All Ages Webinar
Building Your Fundraising Leadership Towards Walkable Communities
America Walks’ second series of “Walking College” webinars launched July 27th. Designed for the Walking College Fellowship program, and open to a general audience, this webinar focuses on fundraising – one of the biggest challenges for local community change agents. First, Brighid O’Keane, Walking College Mentor and Interim Director with the Alliance for Biking & … Continue reading Building Your Fundraising Leadership Towards Walkable Communities
White Papers
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
Our Letter on Decriminalizing Jaywalking: California Could Demonstrate National Leadership by Passing Timely Legislation
Walking is the original form of transportation and yet too often it is forgotten, actively discouraged, or even criminalized. We know that this approach harms BIPOC community members at disproportionate rates – whether through unsafe roadways or the biased application of laws against jaywalking. We all have a responsibility to support a culture of safe … Continue reading Our Letter on Decriminalizing Jaywalking: California Could Demonstrate National Leadership by Passing Timely Legislation
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
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 residents don’t get to decide … Continue reading URGENT ACTION ALERT: Demand a better recipe book for safer streets
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 activate in their local neighborhoods. … Continue reading Stories from the Walking College: Kelli McIntyre Highlights Walkable Community Goals in the Struggle for Health Justice
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 to change straight from our … Continue reading Black Voices in Urbanism, Mobility and the Walkable Community Movement
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 transportation while developing essential leadership … Continue reading Building the Local Capacity of the National Walking Movement: Outcomes from the First Four Years of the Walking College
Streetsmart: Evidence and insight for climate protection, public health, and equity in transportation
This is a guest blog by Kelly Rodgers, Executive Director at Street Smart. Kelly has 20 years of city planning experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors working in sustainable transportation, green infrastructure, and community design. 5 years ago, I had an idea to create a platform with the evidence and insight needed for … Continue reading Streetsmart: Evidence and insight for climate protection, public health, and equity in transportation
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
It takes a Village! Creating and Installing our Community-Engaged University of Massachusetts Boston Harborwalk Grace Trail
This is a guest blog written by Sarah Camhi and Linda Chiofar, with the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Boston. They were the recipients of our 2020 Community Change Grant Program. Our University and Local Community Needs University students have high levels of stress and anxiety. Our most recent … Continue reading It takes a Village! Creating and Installing our Community-Engaged University of Massachusetts Boston Harborwalk Grace Trail
The Walkability Movement and a New, Biden Administration
The following blog was written by America Walks’ Executive Director Mike McGinn. A change in administrations can be a time of great possibility and hope – that the right people and policies can finally generate real change on the ground. But we all know it won’t be easy. I rode those hopes as a newly … Continue reading The Walkability Movement and a New, Biden Administration