At America Walks, we love tracking walkability wins, and 2022 had some exceptional ones. As advocates, we understand the power of communities to use the democratic process to create long-lasting change. Here are four big policy wins, followed by some of our thoughts on what made them possible (spoiler alert – persistent and passionate organizing):
- A car-free JFK Drive in San Francisco, California
- Denver, Colorado adopts a sustainable program for ongoing repairs of sidewalks
- Massachusetts created the Millionaire’s Tax to improve the necessary need for safety and quality of public transportation.
- Starting January 1, 2023,the Freedom to Walk Act officially becomes law, allowing pedestrians in California to jaywalk without fear of a ticket, as long as it’s safe.
One of these legislative actions came after a governor’s veto in the prior session. Three were ballot measures. All demonstrate the need for sustained organizing. Ballot measures in particular often don’t come out of nowhere – they usually result from a legislative log jam. Year-round, local organizers identify issues and raise awareness about what negatively impacts their community, in which they work to mobilize people to advocate for change. The goal of advocates is to bring about change by engaging with the democratic process and working to get the issues they care about on the public agenda. The legislative fights that then get taken to the people, the ones who are directly affected by current policies, are a sure way to have their voices heard once and for all.
Read the full story at America Walks