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City of Little Rock (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Engaging people in transportation options/safety
└ Engaging people in transportation options/safety
When state transportation officials asked Arkansans why they don't bicycle more, the answer was clear: Because they did not feel safe. To address this, the City of Little Rock worked to educate drivers about road safety best practices. The City developed a two-hour training -- the Friendly Driver Certification Program -- modeled after a similar program in Fort Collins, Colorado. "Twenty years ago, we didn't have any bike lanes, pedestrian hybrid beacons or other new types of facilities to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe," program coordinator John Landosky told Little Rock Soiree. "That infrastructure is only useful if drivers know what to do around it." Since its launch, the class has educated more than 500 participants, with nearly six in ten saying it made them more confident in walking or biking. The City says the training also helped lay a foundation for its Complete Streets bike plan.
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Greenville, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Greenville lacked a safe space for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to learn traffic rules, leaving older adults without options to practice essential skills. BikeWalkNC addressed this by creating the Greenville/Winterville Traffic Garden, a permanent painted street layout for hands-on safety education. The project included signage, a dedication event and integration into a statewide transportation summit. This lasting resource supports Vision Zero goals and offers older adults a protected space to refresh driving and cycling skills. As one leader said, "We want to improve the community so that everyone can be safe and live a higher-quality life in a place that is safe and accessible."
Uvalde, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: In rural Texas, older adults and people with disabilities faced severe mobility barriers. SWART expanded its travel training program, distributing 21,000 flyers, hosting 41 outreach events and assisting new riders with fare cards and personalized sessions. Participants gained independence for medical visits and social outings. One rider, after losing a limb, now travels confidently to appointments and adult day care. "I feel free to go where I want when I want," he said, reflecting the program's impact.
Springfield, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Springfield faced nine pedestrian fatalities in 2021, disproportionately affecting older adults, as streets like State Street lacked crosswalks and lighting. WalkBoston launched the Walk Audit Academy to train residents and local groups to identify hazards and advocate for safer streets. Participants completed five audits, produced municipal recommendations and connected with decision-makers during a community report-out. The program built lasting advocacy in the community. One older adult flagged an unlit park path, saying the lack of lighting created hazardous conditions, underscoring the urgency for change.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Little Rock, AR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: Older adults in assisted living facilities often lacked access to technology and digital skills, leaving them isolated from essential resources and social connections. To address this, the library launched a mobile tech classroom with tablets and held five four-week courses covering email setup, online safety and library apps. The sessions drew 269 participants and eased fears about technology through hands-on instruction and personal support. Repeat attendance and requests for ongoing classes show growing confidence, and the library plans to expand the program across its service area.
North Little Rock, AR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: This project will conduct at least four bike audits in North Little Rock. Older volunteers from local biking groups will be recruited for the audits.
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