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Hendersonville, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: With the highest pedestrian fatality rate among small towns in North Carolina, and a population that is more than half age 50-plus, Hendersonville faced urgent mobility challenges. To improve safety, the city installed 160 shared lane markings linking neighborhoods to downtown and the future Ecusta Trail. It also added two bike repair stations at key hubs and placed seven custom bike racks in high-traffic areas. These visible upgrades make biking safer and more convenient while encouraging active transportation. The project also spurred plans for a long-term bike parking strategy and updated bicycle plan. One resident said, "These amenities are fantastic additions to our city."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Bessemer, MI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: 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.
Durango, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: This project will install a temporary bike lane on Junction Creek Road to increase safety for all road users. The lane will connect municipal amenities and promote a safer environment for walking and cycling.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Newburyport, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Newburyport Livable Streets focused on safety challenges faced by older adults traveling along busy corridors connecting schools, recreation areas, shopping and health care services. Traffic speed, nighttime visibility and roadway design raised concerns for people walking and biking. The project conducted daytime bike audits and nighttime audits at key intersections, engaging many participants age 50 and over to document conditions. Observations captured issues such as lighting, crosswalk visibility and interactions with vehicles. The resulting reports are being prepared for city officials and advisory committees. The work positioned older adult safety needs within upcoming planning discussions and created a foundation for future roadway improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Merrimac, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Older adult volunteers will conduct a bike audit focused on areas they frequent. The audit will assess the condition of sidewalks and paths and inform efforts to implement an e-bike program.
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