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Freshwater Land Trust (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Bikeability
└ Bikeability
For years, Birmingham's busy Titusville neighborhood did not have a strong north/south connector for pedestrians and bicyclists. To address this, the Freshwater Land Trust installed a buffered bike lane -- the Titusville Connector -- along First Street South for five blocks to create a safe and equitable alternative transportation and recreation route for residents living in and around the community. The bike lane, which is located next to an elementary school and links to the multi-modal Neighborway path, allows residents to reach local amenities and the local bus rapid transit route. The Connector's brightly painted lane runs between the sidewalk and parallel parking spaces, making it the first, separated in-street trail in Birmingham.
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See More Projects Like This One
Gary, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: To address the first mile/last mile problem -- describing challenges riders face bridging the distance between transit stops and community amenities -- this project launched the Cycle219 Bikeshare Program. The Legacy Foundation purchased electric bikes, added bike racks and installed signage to help cyclists navigate. To make the program affordable, organizers provided annual passes to older adults and low-income residents. Additionally, project organizers used tactical urbanism to test ideas for improving crosswalk safety in Gary's Miller neighborhood. They used stencils to paint sharrows and an artistic crosswalk onto the pavement, hoping to make cyclists and pedestrians more visible to drivers. In the future, organizers plan to expand the bikeshare into more communities.
Reno, NV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: This project will provide adaptive bikes for people of all ages and abilities, enhancing connectivity and access to local trails.
Yavapai County, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: Older adults in Cottonwood and Clarkdale lacked safe bike routes, limiting mobility and access to parks and services. The project created the 17-mile Verde Connection Bike Route linking schools, retail areas and parks, added three bike repair stations and installed 161 wayfinding signs. The route offers a secure, scenic path for errands and recreation, fostering independence and social connection while strengthening local cycling clubs. It also sets the stage for future expansions. One participant said, "This project is more than just a route, its a meaningful investment in connectivity and active living."
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Birmingham, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: Older adults in Birmingham faced unsafe sidewalks and limited pedestrian access because walkability data was outdated. The chapter organized walk audits, teaching residents how to spot hazards and share findings with city officials. Participants discovered broken sidewalks and accessibility gaps, creating a report expected to guide funding for completing upgrades. The effort will continue as an annual outreach activity, ensuring neighborhoods advocate for safer walking conditions. "Seeing broken sidewalks while using a walker is a humbling experience," one participant noted, underscoring the need for change.
Birmingham, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: REV Birmingham worked to improve a portion of 1st Avenue South in the Woodlawn neighborhood and commercial district. Along that stretch, speeding vehicles often posed a danger to pedestrians and cyclists. REV chose two blocks for a three-week test of a Compete Street design, reducing the street from four lanes in each direction to two. Reclaiming the space from the removed lanes, they added bike lanes, prominent crosswalks and parallel parking for cars. The organization used the experiment to gather data to substantiate the value of Complete Street conversions. In 2020, REV began working with city officials on several other projects to reclaim streets for pedestrian use.
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