America Walks

America Walks

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Overview

America Walks is a coalition of North American advocacy groups dedicated to making streets and neighborhoods safe and inviting for walking. America Walks is a membership organization, with individual, group, and corporate members. With each 6-year federal transportation bill, America Walks lobbies members of Congress on federal transportation policy and facilitates input from local member groups. In 2008, America Walks convened the America Walks Summit for national organizations working on pedestrian safety issues as a prelude to debate over the 2009 federal bill.

The first U.S. pedestrian advocacy group, WalkBoston, was formed in 1990. In 1996, WalkBoston joined with three other groups to launch America Walks. By 2004, America Walks groups numbered about 50 groups. The organization provides information on forming and sustaining a local advocacy group, peer mentoring, and a members-only listserve for exchanging information and getting quick answers to questions of common interest. America Walks also serves as a non-profit fiscal umbrella for fledgling groups not wanting to go through the process of obtaining non-profit status.

Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse

America Walks, in partnership with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Governors Highway Safety Association, the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and Toole Design Group, maintain the federal National Center for Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse, which was mandated by the 2005 federal transportation reauthorization legislation, known as SAFETEA-LU . The Center offers a centralized resource of information on how to start and sustain a Safe Routes to School program, case studies of successful programs as well as many other resources for training and technical assistance.

Safe Routes to School Coaching Action Network

In January 2008, America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to School launched the Coaching Action Network to make citizens, parents, & communities more effective in their efforts to create and promote safe routes to schools. The network includes free monthly webinars during which America Walks leaders share their expertise on particular SRTS topics. Leaders are also available for individual coaching, and provides a forum for SRTS practicioners from the United States and Canada to learn from each other.