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AARP Livable Communities Map
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
Huntsville, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: To make their city more environmentally friendly and attractive to bikers, the South Huntsville Main Business Association installed bike racks at grocery stores, parks and other frequently used locations. Each of the 36 racks feature a compass design created by local artist Bruce Weddendorf. Since their installation, business owners have reported an uptick in employees cycling to work. The city is now considering a proposal to require all businesses to install bike racks.
Providence, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: This project will distribute refurbished bikes, repair kits and safety equipment to older adults living in affordable housing. The organization will also provide instruction on bike safety and basic repair skills.
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.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Birmingham, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: The project will increase walkability in Birmingham neighborhoods by using walk audits to evaluate them. The data will be shared with community groups so they can see the challenges that residents aged 50 face, and highlight the need for safer, more accessible streets, sidewalks, paths and trails.
Birmingham, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project expanded community garden facilities by renovating an existing trailer to provide restrooms, an office and a classroom/meeting space. The upgrades provide indoor space where Bush Hills Connections can host gardening classes. The garden also received new pet waste stations and hand and equipment sanitation stations. The garden -- once an abandoned school property -- is located within a food desert and provides fresh produce to 200 families. Additionally, it is a popular meeting place, particularly with older adults.
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