By Nolan Oehrke, BikeWalkKC Education Program Manager | Haz clic aquí para leer esta historia en español
“I was a student in KCK and I walked to and from school. I know how dangerous it can be for pedestrians in this area.” Back in November 2023 we received a Request-A-Class submission from Cassie Foulk, the PE teacher at Frances Willard Elementary off Orville Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, to provide a Pedestrian Safety program for their students. Cassie explained to us that she wanted the program due to a lack of sidewalks, a lot of steep hills, blind corners, and high vehicle speeds around the school. Cassie herself grew up in KCK and was a walker, and she wants a brighter future for the next generation.
Cassie’s request came at a great time because the education team was developing a new Pedestrian Safety program. So naturally we said, “Absolutely, let’s go for it!” Frances Willard Elementary would be the first school to pilot the new program.
Why pedestrian safety education?
Our BLAST (Bicycle Lessons and Safety Training) program is designed for grades 3-6, but Pedestrian Safety is adaptable to all ages. We want to reach more kids during their earlier critical learning stages so the safety skills they learn become automatic behavior responses. We are educating our future generations to be safer and to think about why safety is important whether you’re walking, biking, rolling, or driving. We teach students that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer.
A group of neighbors and students evaluate Meyer Boulevard for pedestrian safety.
When BikeWalkKC staff conducts walk audits, arrival/dismissal observations, or built environment assessments around schools, we take a look at things like sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting, driver behaviors, and other neighborhood characteristics. Whether we’re working in Kansas or Missouri, at schools built decades ago or yesterday, we have observed the same common issues: drivers are speeding in school zones, drivers are on their phone or distracted, crosswalk paint is faded or nonexistent, curb ramps missing or misplaced, and there aren’t enough safe crossing options.
I developed our Pedestrian Safety curriculum using an outline inspired by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Safe Routes Philly, but the content is shaped by the data BikeWalkKC staff has collected in local walk audits, arrival/dismissal observations, and built environment assessments. Some areas of the KC metro have better pedestrian infrastructure than others; therefore, we teach students how to be safe and alert pedestrians even if the infrastructure itself is unsafe or does not exist where they are. Overcoming these barriers is important and powerful to create change.
Pedestrian Safety class at Francis Willard Elementary in KCK
Walking and talking together
With our nerves high and a few deep breaths, we gave our first two Pedestrian Safety classes at Frances Willard Elementary at the end of April 2024. The program went so well and the students were excited, engaged, and had fun! Who knew safety could be fun? In the program, students receive a general safety talk first, then we transition them to a simulated intersection with streets and crosswalks where they practice the five steps to cross safely. Next, students go on a guided walk with school staff and BikeWalkKC instructors around the school where they cross real streets, driveways, intersections, and walk in parking lots. This is so they can put into practice what they have learned.
Pedestrian Safety practice at Rushton Elementary in Johnson County.
After a successful pilot, we brought Pedestrian Safety to Rushton Elementary in Johnson County. This time, we provided the program to all classes in grades K-6. This four-day program was indeed exhausting, but extremely rewarding! Younger students participated in a Pedestrian BINGO activity where they identified pedestrian infrastructure like stop signs and crosswalks around their school. The older students went on a guided walk with school staff and BikeWalkKC instructors where they practiced crossing real streets, intersections, driveways and parking lots. At the end, we asked the older students how safe they felt walking around their school and how pedestrian safety could be improved in the area. We also gave students the opportunity to personally reflect on ways they could advocate for improved pedestrian infrastructure to have them start thinking critically about making streets safer for everyone.
"To make pedestrians safer, I think we should have stations with high visibility vests at all crosswalks and intersections that people can use to be seen when crossing."
"In this class I learned that we have to also look behind us when crossing a driveway or intersection, not just left and right."
"I think crosswalks should have sensors that only allow the traffic light to change to green when a pedestrian has fully crossed the street since older people or people in wheelchairs may need more time to cross."
"I learned that if there are no sidewalks, we should walk on the left side of the street to see traffic approaching us."
A new generation of safe streets advocates
It was incredible to see how when you give students the opportunity to express their thoughts openly and freely, how much they open up and engage during the class sessions. The important part of our work is planting the seed to get them thinking about taking safety seriously and starting the discussion. I’m confident that we will see the ripple effect in this new generation of safety-conscious students. We are so excited to bring this program to more schools starting this Fall and beyond.
Next time you’re out walking, observe and think about the pedestrian infrastructure in your area. Is it accessible and equitable for everyone?
Nolan Oehrke loves cats, traveling, and learning languages. This is his 2nd year with BikeWalkKC.
Did you know that BikeWalkKC has served nearly 50,000 students across the KCMO metro since 2012? We need your help to reach the next 50,000! Support our education programs by making a donation and becoming a BikeWalkKC Member today!