Bismarck, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: Officials in Bismarck wanted to gauge support for a proposed path connecting downtown to the riverfront, dubbed the Bismarck Central Pathway. This project created a temporary path for pedestrians and cyclists, allowing the City to get feedback from residents over several weeks. In addition to connecting existing sidewalks and trails, project organizers used hay bales, traffic cones and paint to block off a portion of the street for pedestrians and cyclists. To get input, they set up kiosks along the path where residents could write about their experience. They also created an online survey. Residents generally supported making the route permanent, as long as pedestrians are protected from street traffic. The City plants to use the feedback to determine the best route for the new path. Project organizers say the pop-up trail also inspired other pop-ups. Since 2017, Bismarck planning staff have tested a road diet, an intersection bump-out project and a one-way to two-way road conversion.

Fort Myers, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: Streets Alive partnered with four other organizations to hold a bike rodeo event for children in Fort Myers' Dunbar neighborhood. A dozen volunteers completed a training course on how to teach safe cycling skills. Another volunteer worked with Franklin Park Elementary School to obtain a supply of loaner bikes for the young participants. At the event, children went through a series of stations to be fitted with helmets, have their bikes inspected for safety and receive coaching on how to start, balance and stop their bikes. They learned cycling rules of the road, including hand signals and where to ride on the street. They also received training on how to stay safe as pedestrians when crossing intersections and facing traffic. The organization staged another bike rodeo in 2020.

Greenville, SC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: Low-income residents in Greenville lacked affordable bike maintenance options, leaving many older adults without reliable transportation. Village Wrench created six community workbenches equipped with tools, bike stands and tablets loaded with repair tutorials, enabling self-service repairs. The benches fostered independence, reduced financial barriers and built intergenerational relationships. Mechanics even selected arthritis-friendly tools to make repairs easier for older adults.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.