Jacksonville, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: To incentivize business development along Jacksonville's Main Street, the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council worked to improve the appearance of area. They installed trash receptacles, bike racks and bike maintenance stations. The improvements keep the streets clear of litter, give visitors with a safe place to lock their bikes and provide a convenient place to repair bike and wheelchair tires. Organizers say they hope the improvements set the stage for this historic community's continued popularity.

Sioux Falls, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: A community health assessment showed Sioux Falls residents wanted better bike amenities to help them keep physically active. To support bikeability, the City installed benches and bike maintenance stations along a popular bike route. Additionally, the City installed two electric wheelchair charging stations at public library branches that sit along the bike path, allowing people of all ages and abilities to use it. If individuals have more opportunities to get on a bike and know there are amenities on the trail to make their ride more comfortable, they will likely increase their regular activity levels using a bike for recreation and for commuting, project leader Mary Michaels said. Organizers say the project also raised awareness about safety on the trail, as well as the community's accessibility needs.

Conway, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: Riding a bicycle into downtown Conway once involved a search for bike racks, which were in short supply. To fix this, Conway Downtown Partnership created a bike corral. Volunteers painted a brightly colored mural on the pavement to define the corral space, which features a bike rack. The corral supplies a safe, convenient place to park a bicycle and gives cyclists a place to gather and socialize before and after rides.