Salem, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: To help residents of Salem get around town, this project activated a vacant downtown storefront to create a pop-up summer program. Free and available to people of all ages and abilities, the program provided hands-on educational opportunities to help assist residents -- and especially older adults -- navigate the local public transit system. It also assisted participants find their way around downtown Salem.

Wilmington, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: The project will support Open Streets events by closing streets to vehicle traffic, creating safe spaces for residents of all ages to move freely and advocating for permanent improvements to the city's streets.

Wilmington, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: While Wilmington has a thriving bike culture, it lacks bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to connect all parts of the community. To raise awareness of this issue, Urban Bike Project held four open streets events, which closed busy streets to vehicle traffic in different neighborhoods of the city. The reclaimed street space allowed residents to enjoy musical performances, play tennis in the road, pedal free rental bikes, register to vote, get caught up on vaccinations and receive fresh produce and recipes. Additionally, attendees shared their ideas for making streets safer with University of Delaware Living Labs volunteers. The Urban Bike Project plans to use their feedback to inform transportation projects that serve Wilmington residents, many of whom aren't always included in decision-making processes.