We are devastated by the recent incidents in Louisville, Georgia, Minneapolis, and New York’s Central Park that have put the pervasive racism, white supremacy, and anti-Blackness in our country on acute display. We are angry about the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and so many more. As an organization that envisions a world where streets are safe, vibrant public spaces that connect people to the places where they live, work and play, this includes more than fighting for protected bike lanes, crosswalks, and bus lanes. When we talk about death on our streets, it means aiming for a larger vision than just the elimination of traffic fatalities and serious injuries. When we talk about “safe streets” -- this must encompass safety for all. We have work to do to ensure that people are not arrested, criminalized, or killed because of the color of their skin.  Continue reading

This post is the second of two parts. Part One frames our current situation in existing inequities. In Part Two we focus on solutions that are designed to address these equity gaps and apply in the new context of COVID-19, while making our streets more livable. Orange cones are part of the solution, but they won’t fix the problem  This pandemic has created a heightened sense of urgency around our streets, how they are managed, and who they serve. As summer approaches and more states begin the process of “re-opening,” we must understand that operations haven’t changed much for many sectors, transportation included. Life hasn't stopped for many people who are continuing to experience age-old problems like overcrowded and infrequent buses and unsafe walking conditions. Continue reading

This post is the first of two parts. Part One frames our current situation in existing inequities. In Part Two we will focus on solutions that are designed to address these equity gaps, while making our streets more livable and apply in the new context of COVID. Continue reading

On March 18th we sent out a statement from LivableStreets that detailed our response to COVID-19 and provided useful resources. Please check out our initial response on the LivableStreets' website here.  While much of it is still relevant, as the situation continues to evolve, our response and actions must evolve with it. In the weeks since we sent out our statement, we have been lending a lot of thought to how the current public health and economic crisis impacts our work, along with all of the longstanding inequities that it illuminates. We’re launching a blog series to explore the challenges facing mobility right now and the variety of situations that make this time especially challenging for some people. Please join us as we create space for staff to think out loud during the difficult time we are facing - while we can’t have all the answers, we want to explore this conversation with you. Continue reading