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City of Bessemer (2017) Print
2017 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Bikeability
└ Bikeability
Officials in Bessemer, located on the western end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, wanted to promote biking while beautifying their city. To do this, they installed 12 bike racks, each featuring decorative tops made of colored glass. The racks make cycling easier for residents, allowing them to ride their bikes for exercise and to run errands. The project was part of a larger city bike plan that included painting stripes for bike lanes the city's busiest roads. Since installing the bike racks, Bessemer has continued to support biking. In 2020, work began on a 1.5 million upgrade and extension of the Iron Belle Trail, which connects Bessemer with nearby communities.
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Middletown, RI
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Project Category: Bikeability
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Newburyport, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Bikeability
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Mandan, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Downtown Mandan lacked bike parking, making it harder for residents and visitors to choose biking over driving. The city installed 25 bike racks at key destinations, including near housing and services for older adults, and promoted biking through social media. The racks connect downtown to regional trails and doubled the city's bike parking options, encouraging active transportation and healthier lifestyles. The project also set the stage for future street upgrades and zoning changes to expand bike infrastructure. One older adult said having a safe place to park his bike while his car was in the shop let him stay active and run errands, showing the immediate benefit for mobility and independence.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Ashland, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Ashland's residents have access to an 11-mile Rails-to-Trails network, making getting around by bike easy. However, the City wanted to ensure cyclists -- regardless of income level, age and ability -- had the tools necessary for bicycle upkeep. The City installed five Bike reapair stations along the trail. Each station includes basic tools, an air pump and bike stand. Additionally, the City published an online manual on fixing and maintaining bikes, which people can access by scanning a QR code at the fix-it station.
Ashland, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A survey showed residents in Ashland wanted more outdoor seating in the city's downtown. As part of larger efforts to revitalize the commercial district the City worked with Ashland Main Street to install decorative benches. The City engaged teams of artists -- including college students and staff from the local food co-op -- to design artwork for the seating. Then, with the help of volunteers, project organizers then installed one bench on every block of Ashland's nine-block commercial area. Each depicts imagery related to the community's identity, including scenes from local history or ecology. Paying homage to nearby Lake Superior, several benches have a water theme. Project organizers say Ashland is known as the mural capital of Wisconsin, and the benches work with other public art installations to draw people to visit downtown.
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