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City of Sioux Falls Health Department (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Bikeability
└ Bikeability
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.
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Saratoga Springs, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: The City of Saratoga Springs was working to connect existing trails to its new, 24-mile Saratoga Greenbelt Trail. Ahead of constructing a new trail connection, the City wanted to test proposed streetscape changes meant to accommodate cyclists traveling between the Greenbelt and downtown. The proposal included creating a two-lane cycling path on Henry Street, converting the street from two-way to one-way and dedicating one side to parking. The City conducted a two-week pilot program. Orange cones, temporary pavement striping and a one-foot buffer separated cyclists from street traffic. During the trial, the number of pedestrians using the route increased, and the number of cyclists more than quadrupled. A survey or residents showed general support for the changes. The City ultimately decided to permanently convert Henry Street to one-way to accommodate a two-lane bike path. Project organizers also say the pilot raised awareness of the Greenbelt Trail.
Kailua-Kona, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: People's Advocacy for Trails Hawaii installed three bikeshare stations in Kailua-Kona, which doubled ridership. Additionally, they offered a monthly adult bike safety skills class to older adults, a rapidly growing demographic of cyclists. Not owning a bike was no excuse -- PATH provided bikeshare bikes for anyone interested in the safety classes. The organization also worked with county partners to offer free bikeshare membership for up to 100 constituents of a local community health center.
New Orleans, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Kabel Drive, a three-block corridor of with businesses led by people age 50-plus, faced pandemic setbacks and rising crime while lacking bike infrastructure. Riders locked bikes at storefronts, limiting access for older adults and people with mobility challenges. The project added bike racks, a fix-it station, decorative lighting and a welcome sign to make the area safer and more inviting. A business mixer built trust and led to a Kabel Drive owner joining AEDF's board. "We've built invaluable trust that will lead to better service of this area going forward," said AEDF. These changes sparked plans for holiday events and a Shop Local campaign, and the bike amenities are expected to draw new customers and boost sales.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Sioux Falls, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities
Description: Sioux Falls residents -- like people in many places -- were grappling with anti-Black and anti-Asian racism. To teach residents how to disrupt bias and address discrimination, St. Michael Parish's newly formed diversity committee organized two Bystander and Upstander workshops. The first workshop invited older adults, youth and their parents and older adults to discuss ways to communicate better, specifically across cultural backgrounds. The second aimed to build awareness of other cultures, with families invited to participate together. Participants learned to recognize racism and intervene with de-escalation techniques. Project organizers said the workshops, helped bridge the gap that some of our diverse members have been feeling and experiencing and brought it to the forefront to those of us who had no idea.
Sioux Falls, SD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: The City of Sioux Falls hoped to encourage residents to consider active transportation -- walking and biking -- as a way to get around. To do this, the City created a quick-build infrastructure kit, which it used to install a temporary protected bike lane at one location and a curb bump-out at another. The bump out -- a safe extension of the sidewalk into the street -- makes pedestrians more visible to drivers and shortens the distance needed to cross the street. City planners gathered feedback from cyclists in the community, who suggested possible future locations for protected bike lanes. Because the infrastructure kit is mobile, the City hopes to deploy it elsewhere in the future.
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