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Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Engaging people in transportation options/safety
└ Engaging people in transportation options/safety
To help people become less reliant on driving to get around, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota hosted Bikeable Community Workshops in eight municipalities. Each workshop provided community leaders with resources to make their neighborhoods more accessible and bikeable. Participants included elected officials, city staff, local nonprofits and small business owners. Following the events, BikeMN team members provided on-the-ground technical assistance and expertise to the eight host communities. Participating community leaders and bicycle advocates also formed steering committees to work on bike-friendly community goals going forward.
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Burlington, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Rising traffic in Burlington's Old East End made walking hazardous, especially for older adults, threatening safety and social connection. The coalition organized walk audits and produced a report that guided upgrades. Temporary fixes included repainting crosswalks and adding stop signs, while permanent improvements featured a radar speed sign and a community kiosk. These changes improved visibility and fostered neighborhood engagement. One resident said, "It's nice to see traffic abatement near the apartments... really appreciate the collective energy and focus on neighborhood quality issues."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Providence, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Older adults in Providence faced unsafe streets and long delays for repairs, limiting mobility in neighborhoods with high crash rates. The coalition launched six Walk, Talk & Chalk events where residents and civic leaders walked routes, marked hazards with chalk and shared meals to build trust. These gatherings captured real-time feedback on sidewalks and curb ramps and strengthened ties between residents and officials. The effort sparked plans for a sidewalk funding campaign and encouraged elected leaders to hold walking meetings, advancing equity in aging and safer streets.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Burlington, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: The city will purchase electric bikes and host guided training sessions so older adults and English learners can safely try assisted cycling. The effort will help participants learn about biking options and reduce reliance on driving for short trips.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Minneapolis, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: A mobile technology lab will provide laptops, tablets and internet access to older adults in housing and community sites across the county. Classes will help participants build digital skills, use online resources and stay connected without traveling.
Minneapolis, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Improved wayfinding
Description: Mobility hubs were designed to offer sustainable transportation, but older adults and residents with limited English proficiency struggled with unclear signage and few places to rest. The city responded by installing bright, icon-based wayfinding signs, adding benches and testing LED projectors for nighttime visibility. Ambassadors connected with older adults at events and cultural centers to explain shared bikes and scooters and gather feedback. These changes improved comfort and accessibility, and the project laid groundwork for citywide signage upgrades. Outreach was expanded to help residents navigate mobility options confidently.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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