Slow Streets

The Idea

Throughout COVID-19, vehicular traffic has reduced, while the need for spaces for people has increased. In order to create safe spaces for people to spread out and exercise, we need to rethink how our streets are used. You can slow down the streets in your community by working with city leaders to shut streets down to thru traffic and opening them to activities such as walking, running, and bicycling while maintaining safe social distancing.

Most Slow Streets programs are made possible by city leadership, you, and tactical urbanism. What is tactical urbanism? It’s a movement that began a little more than a decade ago by neighbors who wanted to make improvements to their streets and sidewalks. Generally, the initiatives are grassroots, and quickly implemented with lower-cost items that can demonstrate a potential long-term change.

ChangeX and Better Block Foundation have teamed up with Microsoft to provide funding for neighborhoods to implements Slow Streets programs to build healthy, vibrant and connected neighborhoods. You can [apply here] (https://www.changex.org/ie/slow-streets/start/), complete the 30 Day Challenge and access funding to start this project in your neighborhood.