Federal Highway Administration Launches New Pedestrian Safety Initiative

Federal Highway Administration
October 1, 2010

FHWA 52-10
Friday, October 1, 2010
Contact: Kelly Hanahan
Tel: 202-366-0660

Program to recognize communities' commitment to walkability

WASHINGTON - The Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, in conjunction with the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), today launched Walk Friendly Communities (WFC), a new initiative to encourage communities across the country to support pedestrian safety.

"We are committed to giving Americans more choices that foster active, livable communities" said Secretary LaHood. "This initiative will do just that by improving pedestrian safety in areas across the country and providing a safe means of walking in and around their neighborhood."

Communities that apply for a WFC designation will have access to suggestions and resources on how to improve pedestrian safety. The national launch comes on the heels of a successful pilot in which nine communities tested the application and the online assessment tool. Applications for the nationwide program will be accepted between November 1 and December 15, 2010.

The WFC program will evaluate community walkability and pedestrian safety through questions related to engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation and planning. Designations will be announced two to three months after the December 15 deadline.

"The Walk Friendly Communities program will show us how communities are improving walkability and demonstrating leadership in addressing pedestrian safety concerns," said FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez.

Walk Friendly Communities is jointly supported by the Federal Highway Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FedEx. For more information, visit http://www.walkfriendly.org.

Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

Additional Resources:

Walk Friendly Communities Web site
http://www.walkfriendly.org

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center Web site
http://www.walkinginfo.org

Federal Highway Administration Web site
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped and
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/