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Bike Pittsburgh (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Residents wanted safer streets but lacked tools to advocate for change. Bike Pittsburgh addressed this by hosting five workshops that trained older adults and others to design and launch street safety campaigns. The project also installed a community-designed mural near a library to slow traffic and create a welcoming space. The mural now improves access for older adults and youth, and graduates are pursuing additional projects. One participant said the training "helped me prioritize and structure all my advocacy projects... more strategically and efficiently."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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See More Projects Like This One
Hinesburg, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Residents of Kelley's Field, an affordable housing community for older adults, faced safety risks crossing busy Route 116 to reach essential services. Cathedral Square installed a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at the crosswalk, making pedestrians more visible to drivers. The improvement enhances access to public transportation, groceries and community resources, helping residents stay connected and reducing isolation. Residents expressed excitement about using the new signal, which offers a safer way to navigate their town.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Roanoke, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: When a nearby bridge closed, Ferdinand Avenue became the only route to the Roanoke River Greenway, forcing heavy traffic onto streets already unsafe for walkers and bikers. Wide intersections and no crosswalks made conditions especially risky for older adults. PedalSafe ROA responded with artistic pavement markings and temporary barriers at three intersections, slowing cars and improving visibility. Volunteers painted nearly 7,000 square feet of art and the city committed to a permanent mini-roundabout. Residents report safer crossings and stronger community ties. "This project was exciting because of all of the people that it brought together... and the way that it created a better and more beautiful corridor," said PedalSafe's chairperson.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Camden, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Residents faced dangerous conditions near the new waterfront park, where missing crosswalks and poor bike lane design made access unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists, including older adults. Camden Community Partnership restriped State Street and Harrison Avenue, installed over 300 bike delineators, curb ramps and flashing bike signs, and added a bus stop bench. These changes slowed traffic and improved visibility while prompting plans for permanent upgrades. As one parent noted, "It will definitely help my kids get to the new 60-acre park to ride the trails."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Pittsburgh, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management
Description: Pittsburgh's bikeshare lacked options for older adults and riders with disabilities, limiting access to cycling. To close that gap, Bike Share Pittsburgh launched Adaptive POGOH, introducing seven specialized bikes including tricycles, tandem and recumbent models. A secure storage hub was installed at a trailhead, staff were trained to customize bikes and promotional materials were provided to centers for older adults. A kickoff event drew more than 250 attendees. Early rentals and strong interest signaled demand, positioning the program for expansion and creating new opportunities for inclusive mobility and outdoor recreation.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Pittsburgh, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities
Description: As Lawrenceville rapidly changed, the stories of older residents who built the neighborhood risked being lost. The project honored six women with a mural on a prominent facade and hosted a block party to unveil it. Volunteers collected 29 oral histories and published a zine celebrating nominees, creating intergenerational connections. "This event... was the celebration of her life that she would have wanted," said one daughter about the tribute giving her closure after losing her mother. The effort preserved community history and renewed engagement in age-friendly programs.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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