Springfield, MO, becomes 2nd Missouri Walk Friendly Community | Walk Friendly Communities

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The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is pleased to announce its two new Walk Friendly Communities (WFC) and to recognize one community for continuing its commitment to pedestrian safety.

The "Walk Friendly" title means a city or town is being recognized for its success in working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access, and comfort. As part of its commitment to pedestrian safety, FedEx supports Walk Friendly Communities, a national recognition program of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center at the University of North Carolina that encourages cities and towns across the United States to create safe walking environments.

PBIC recognizes these three communities for their commitment to improving walkability and pedestrian safety:
Silver Level:

Decatur, GA (re-designated as a Silver)

Bronze Level:

Springfield, MO
Columbia, SC

"Our goal through this program was to recognize cities that have maintained a focus on building safe and walkable communities. Decatur, GA was one of the first cities we recognized back in 2011, and the city continues its great commitment to walkability," said Carl Sundstrom, WFC program manager. "On top of that great achievement, we are excited to welcome two new towns to the ranks of Walk Friendly Communities and continue to be impressed by the myriad efforts these communities make to improve conditions for walking."

Of the 57 Walk Friendly Communities across the nation, Seattle, Wash., remains the only Platinum-level Walk Friendly Community.

The program will begin accepting applications for the eleventh round on Nov. 1, 2015, with the deadline for submission on Dec.15, 2015. Interested communities are encouraged to visit www.walkfriendly.org to learn more about the program and review the community assessment tool.

Applicants use a web-based program that asks a comprehensive set of questions and provides communities with feedback and ideas for promoting pedestrian safety and activity. The questions examine engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation and planning. Officially launched in October 2010, the WFC program is funded by FedEx and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

Applicants use a web-based program that asks a comprehensive set of questions and provides communities with feedback and ideas for promoting pedestrian safety and activity. The questions examine engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation and planning. Officially launched in October 2010, the WFC program is funded by FedEx and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

"These communities are to be congratulated for earning these prestigious Walk Friendly designations from PBIC," said Tabatha Stephens, manager, FedEx Global Charitable Giving. "We hope other communities will be inspired by their commitment to saving lives and keeping pedestrians safe. FedEx supports road safety initiatives across the US and around the world, and we are a proud sponsor of PBIC."

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About the WFC Program

The Walk Friendly Community designation, awarded from bronze to platinum, is given to applicant communities that have demonstrated a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans and policies.

At the core of the WFC program is a comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates community walkability and pedestrian safety through questions related to engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation and planning. The assessment tool questions are intended to both evaluate conditions for walking and provide communities with feedback and ideas for promoting pedestrian safety and activity.

Modeled after the League of American Bicyclists’ “Bicycle Friendly Communities,” WFC distinguishes cities and towns that are leading the way in walkability. WFC is the first program to highlight communities for their walkability initiatives and programs, while also offering feedback to assist communities in improving walkability.
About PBIC

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.www.pedbikeinfo.org

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Springfield, MO, becomes 2nd Missouri Walk Friendly Community | Walk Friendly Communities

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MoBikeFed comment: More info about Walk Friendly Communities in Missouri--and how your community can become a Walk Friendly Community--at:

http://mobikefed.org/content/walk-friendly-missouri