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Santa Fe, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: Santa Fe's lack of protected bike lanes left older adults and residents without cars navigating unsafe routes, including a highway between apartments and a shopping center. To address this, Bike Santa Fe completed six audits and shared findings with city leaders, influencing a bond-funded redesign and prompting supplemental funding for bike and pedestrian upgrades. Three audited sites are now slated for improvements within two years, and presentations helped officials and residents visualize safer connections for biking and walking.

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

North Little Rock, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: Older adults in North Little Rock often navigate streets that feel unsafe to walk or cross, yet their experiences were not reflected in local planning. Womens Own Worth addressed this gap by recruiting volunteers, including many age 50-plus, to complete structured, seated bike and walk audits along a key corridor. Participants documented issues such as unclear signage, poor surface quality and limited lighting, creating a clearer picture of conditions that affect mobility and safety. One retired volunteer said the audit helped her see and describe hazards she had long sensed, noting it gave her the ability to "really see what needs improvement...and to feel like my perspective matters." The findings are being compiled into a report that will inform future planning and funding proposals, helping ensure older adults have a stronger voice in shaping safer public spaces.

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

Taylor, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: Downtown Taylor lacked safe cycling conditions and adequate bike parking, leaving older cyclists and local businesses concerned about safety and access. Good Life Taylor conducted bike audits to document hazards and found that business owners wanted more foot traffic and safer places to park bikes. The effort informed a plan to install eight secure racks in key downtown areas and provided data to guide next steps with local boards. A volunteer who survived a serious crash shared her story, highlighting the urgency of safer streets and strengthening advocacy for long-term improvements.

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

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

San Diego, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Walkability

Description: Cracked and missing sidewalks in Webster Heights made walking unsafe for older adults and families. To address this, the organization led five walk audits with residents to document hazards and identify priority fixes. The effort united neighbors and produced detailed findings for curbs, gutters and sidewalks on key streets, plus plans for a traffic circle. "We could have a meet-and-greet and get more opinions to send to city council", one participant suggested, reflecting growing momentum for improvements and next steps that include funding applications and advocacy.

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

El Cajon, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: To help older adults in El Cajon's large Iraqi refugee community navigate the area's public transit system, Circulate San Diego created training materials in Arabic. Older adults in this community are more likely to suffer from PTSD and social isolation, with language and cultural barriers preventing many from comfortably leaving home. The training resources included a how-to video, as well as materials to help local high school students share information about transit basics with family members and neighbors. Circulate San Diego also created a transit map and brochures in Arabic. Project organizers say they hope the resources helps community members use transit as a mobility option -- and a way to regain independence.

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