State of Pedestrian Safety&

Age-Friendly Communities Noel Mickelberry

Oregon WalksBandana Shrestha

AARP Oregon

Pedestrian deaths have stayed stagnant for 10 years

Who?

Where?

50+ population

Legend Blue < 5,000Green 5-10,000Yellow 10-25,000Orange 25-50,000Red 50,000+

Percent of Population that are 50+

Legend Green – 25-30%Yellow 30-35%Orange 35-40%Red more than 40%

An “Age-Friendly” City/Community:

Is a World Health Organization designation Original Age-Friendly Cities project started in 2006

Is defined as a city that: is “an inclusive and accessible environment that

promotes active ageing” “emphasizes enablement rather than disablement” “is friendly for all ages”

All-Age-Friendly Communities model

Its not a one generation issues!Overlap in community livability features that benefit both Older Adults & Families with Children

Older Adults

Families with

Children• Good

schools• Convenient

child care

• Affordable homes• Accessible, visitable

homes• Transportation options• Safe, walkable streets• Open space & parks• Convenient shopping and

services• Nearby, high-quality health

services• Good jobs

• Smaller homes requiring less maintenance

• Supportive services

Slide Courtesy of Keith Wardrip, Center for Housing Policy

Walk & Talks: AstoriaCoos County

• Pedestrians make up 12.1% of all traffic fatalities

• 41% occurred on Highway 101

• Event focused on access & safety choke points

Walk & Talks: Roseburg

Douglas County

• Pedestrians make up 9.6% of all traffic fatalities

• 5th highest per capita pedestrian fatality rate in the state

• Event focused on infrastructure and speed

Walk & Talks: Springfield

Lane County

• Pedestrians make up 13.8% of all traffic fatalities

• Lane County’s two most dangerous roads for pedestrians are state highways

• • Event focused on

new Bus Rapid Transit & economic development

Reflections

Goals for the walks: Shared interest in the issue, facilitate conversation statewide

What we learned: Worked with unlikely partners Opportunity for local input – share with electeds Walk success extends with media presence Need for direct follow up & immediate action

Group Brainstorm

What do you see as challenges/barriers/opportunities to having these conversations in your community?

What can Oregon Walks & AARP do to help create more of these conversations around the state?

What strategies are you already using to facilitate conversations, or what would you like to do?

Are there other issues related to pedestrian safety and age friendly communities that are present in your community?

Any Final Questions?

To follow along on a new campaign that aims to address pedestrian safety / age friendliness visit:

vzwz.oregonwalks.org

We are mapping work zone closures and

advocating for new policy to keep walkways

accessible!

Tweet/Instagram: #workzoneWTF or visit

website to share your story