Posted January 12, 2023 in Weblog

At America Walks, we love monitoring walkability wins, and 2022 had some distinctive ones. As advocates, we perceive the ability of communities to make use of the democratic course of to create long-lasting change. Listed below are 4 large coverage wins, adopted by a few of our ideas on what made them doable (spoiler alert – persistent and passionate organizing):

1. A car-free JFK Drive in San Francisco, California
2. Denver, Colorado adopts a sustainable program for ongoing repairs of sidewalks
3. Massachusetts created the Millionaire’s Tax to enhance the required want for security and high quality of public transportation.
4. Beginning January 1, 2023,the Freedom to Stroll Act formally turns into legislation, permitting pedestrians in California to jaywalk with out worry of a ticket, so long as it’s protected. 

The Energy of Organizing

Certainly one of these legislative actions got here after a governor’s veto within the prior session. Three had been poll measures. All exhibit the necessity for sustained organizing. Poll measures particularly usually don’t come out of nowhere – they often end result from a legislative log jam. Yr-round, native organizers establish points and lift consciousness about what negatively impacts their group, through which they work to mobilize individuals to advocate for change. The aim of advocates is to result in change by partaking with the democratic course of and dealing to get the problems they care about on the general public agenda. The legislative fights that then get taken to the individuals, those who’re straight affected by present insurance policies, are a certain solution to have their voices heard as soon as and for all. 

The chance for poll initiatives varies by place, the trail to success could differ and never all efforts succeed. You possibly can try this website to see which communities voted in favor of walkability and transportation. Regardless of the end result, the arduous work, and efforts put into on-the-ground organizing must be acknowledged, whether or not it’s outreach, assembly with legislators, educating the plenty on walkability points, and so on. These efforts are how we create areas to share tales of lived expertise, and interact in conversations to assist push the needle in our line of labor.

It shouldn’t be so arduous to get policymakers to place well being, fairness, and local weather first. We find it irresistible when a well-placed argument with a sympathetic elected official can obtain outcomes. Our web site is chock-full of why walkable accessible locations make good sense. However we additionally know that it usually takes deeper organizing to alter the established order. That’s why our webinars and strolling faculty packages usually give attention to the instruments advocates must construct energy and run efficient campaigns.  

So what’s your 2023 marketing campaign?  And the way can we enable you? Listed below are some concepts:

Constructing Higher Streets: The aim is to construct the vital infrastructure our streets must make strolling protected, routine, and fulfilling with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation.

Reconnecting Communities:  The Freeway Fighters Community, a transportation revolution that facilities individuals earlier than highways, is constructing a nationwide motion to reconnect communities divided by large roads and overbuilt arterials.

Freedom to Transfer: Jaywalking legal guidelines don’t enhance pedestrian security or forestall pedestrian fatalities. As an alternative, knowledge exhibits how jaywalking legal guidelines have an unjust impression on low-income communities, youngsters, BIPOC individuals, and different susceptible teams. Decriminalizing jaywalking shall be a step in the direction of extra equitable walkable communities.

Safer Autos for Pedestrians: Everybody deserves protected routes to stroll, bike, and roll, wherever they’re going. On daily basis, advocates are combating for safer car design requirements that straight sort out why so many individuals outdoors vehicles are damage or killed on our streets. We’ve required security options that defend car occupants for many years. It’s time to place related protections into place that save the lives of individuals outdoors vehicles.

Nonetheless want inspo?

Full Streets: Transportation infrastructure, corresponding to streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes, is designed and constructed to be protected and accessible for individuals of all ages and talents, together with pedestrians, bicyclists, and other people with disabilities. 

Secure Routes to College: To enhance the security and accessibility of routes to varsities for strolling and biking, with the aim of accelerating the variety of youngsters who stroll or bike to highschool.

Parking Reform: States, cities, and cities throughout the nation are eradicating parking minimums. That’s nice for walkability in various methods.  Locations are nearer to one another with out enormous parking tons, and it reduces prices for brand spanking new housing to be constructed and small companies to open.

Housing Abundance: Excessive rents and “drive to qualify” are not any solution to construct equitable communities accessible to all.  Native organizations are bobbing up across the nation to advocate for extra housing in current walkable neighborhoods, giving extra individuals the chance to entry their advantages.

Path growth: To construct or enhance trails for strolling, biking, and different non-motorized types of transportation.

What’s Subsequent?

The brand new yr is a good alternative to recharge and hit the bottom operating! Right here at America Walks, walkability, accessibility, and fairness are enormous components of our new yr’s decision, and we hope it’s for you too. We look ahead to standing with you as we struggle the nice struggle for safer streets and higher communities.