In case you missed the news last week, we hand-picked 21 elected officials to learn how to effectively advocate for and support safer and more complete streets in The Active People, Healthy Nation℠ Champions Institute. Over the course of six months, these leaders will receive comprehensive training to help them become champions in their communities to promote activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations. Read more >>

Driving Down Emissions recommends making safety the top priority for street design to encourage walking, biking, and shorter driving trips
This new report from our colleagues at Smart Growth America and Transportation for America examines the limitations of a climate strategy that focuses on electric vehicles at the exclusion of safer streets, shorter trips, more transit, and less driving, and makes five simple recommendations to build a smarter climate strategy. Read the report and be sure to sign up for a webinar on Wednesday, October 28th to explore the findings in full.

New analysis shows the impact of transit service cuts—and it’s devastating
With efforts to pass federal emergency relief stalling, transit agencies across the country are warning of drastic cuts to service. TransitCenter and the Center for Neighborhood Technology teamed up to analyze the devastating impact of these cuts, reaffirming the need for Congress to pass at least $32 billion in emergency relief for transit immediately.

How have transportation ballot initiatives fared during the pandemic?
Regional ballot initiatives are a powerful tool localities can use to raise funding for transportation projects, especially in the face of uncertain federal funding. The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis are creating a different landscape for ballot measures than we have seen in the past, but many are still moving forward and a number have already passed.

Reminder: Smart Growth America is hiring
Smart Growth America still has two open jobs: a communications associate and a deputy director for SGA’s LOCUS coalition of responsible real estate developers and investors. Learn more and apply today!

Streets for Pandemic Response & Recovery: The COVID-19 global pandemic altered every aspect of urban life in recent months. In response, city transportation officials around the world have quickly implemented new street design and management tools to keep essential workers and goods moving, provide safe access to grocery stores and other essential businesses, and ensure that people have safe space for social/physical distancing while getting outside.

How to Conduct a Walk Audit in Your Community – Quick Video Guide: A walk audit is an assessment of the pedestrian safety, accessibility, and comfort of a particular area. In addition to documenting specific issues and engaging the community in advocating for improvements, walk audits can be most effective when public officials and community members of varying backgrounds, ages and abilities are intentionally invited and welcomed along so they can experience and react to the conditions directly.

Play Everywhere: Philly kids are getting 16 spaces designed to spark joy (WHYY - Philadelphia)

Best Practices: Vision Zero Lessons from London’s Congestion Pricing (Streetsblog)

On Streets of Injustice, Here’s How We Move toward Transportation Equity for Latinos (Salud America)