Who made the BBC’s feature on biking in KC? ☕ September 2026 Newsletter

In 2008, the BBC came to Kansas City, Missouri, to report on their experience biking in “America’s worst city for cyclists.” Their visit inspired a handful of local bike riders to form the region's first professional bicycle/pedestrian organization - BikeWalkKC!

Click to listen to the story

The BBC reporters came back this year, and their new story calls the changing landscape a revolution. Tune in to hear why biking champions - high schoolers, ride leaders, volunteers, advocates, and business owners - believe that Kansas City has transformed in the last 18 years.

BikeWalkKC welcomes 4 new board members

Our board of directors is pleased to introduce four new members: Alejandra Frias-Fraire of Kansas City, KS; Leah Maugans of Leawood, KS; Mark Schloegel of Kansas City, MO; and Jared Williams of Lee’s Summit, MO. We're looking forward to working with these community leaders for a happier, healthier, and safer KC metro. Click here to get to know the new board members

Now hiring: Youth Education Instructors 🚸 If you want to make a positive impact on children’s lives, be an excellent role model, have a passion for bicycling, and work with a great team of people, then we want to hear from you! Compensation: $18.00 per hour

Click to learn more and apply

National Walk & Roll to School Day is Oct. 7

It's not too late to start planning for National Walk & Roll to School Day! Find 8 ideas for walking and biking to school on our website, with resources and how-to guides ready to get you rolling!

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is Nov. 14

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day honors the living legacy of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. Celebrate Ruby's courageous and historic act with kid-friendly books and resources, plus event planning tips from Safe Routes Partnership and the Ruby Bridges Foundation.

Get more Safe Routes to School news and resources directly to your inbox when you subscribe to our Safe Routes to School mailing list!

Wish you could bike to work with your friends? 

If your route to work takes you from the Historic Northeast neighborhoods to downtown KC, you're invited to join Karly C. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for an adult bike bus! Click here to learn more about the Northeast Adult Bike Bus 

Green Commute Challenge registration now open

Walk, bike, take transit, carpool, or scooter through the month of October, and you will be entered to win prizes from local businesses! This friendly competition encourages community connections, active living, and cleaner air, and it's always fun to watch the points pile up. Click here to see GCC events and sign up now

New membership option coming soon

Later this month, we'll be rolling out a new membership option for Bike Share KC riders. It is the first of its kind among bike share programs in the United States, and it will offer members ultimate flexibility. Stay tuned for more info! 

Our Bike Share mailing list subscribers will get the details first! Click here to subscribe now

Due Sept. 6 ✅ Barry Road Corridor Plan Survey (Northland)

Sept. 9 - Vision Independence Ave. Walking Tour (Historic Northeast, KCMO)

Historic Northeast residents and business owners are invited to a walking tour + community engagement session along Independence Boulevard. As residents walk, they will complete digital survey forms on their smartphones to evaluate infrastructure, building conditions, streetscape design, and local business needs. This feedback will be transmitted live to state leaders, including Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, during the Governor’s Conference.

To participate and ensure tour materials are prepared, community members are asked to RSVP in advance by emailing bobbibaker@nekcchamber.com.

Sept. 22 - Transportation Talk: E. JaxCo

What's going on with walking, transit, and biking in your area? Join us for Transportation Talk to talk with BikeWalkKC staff about local, state, and national efforts for safe streets + how you can work with your neighbors to make change right where you are!

RSVP here: Transportation Talk: E. Jackson County

Want timely news and action items just for your zip code? Click here to sign up for our Advocacy Alerts! 

This spring, attorney Paul Anderson answered common questions about bicyclists' rights and responsibilities in our series, Rules of the Road with Popham Law. You can find the full set of questions and answers on our blog!

• Are bikes treated like cars or pedestrians?
• Do I have to stop at red lights, and how long do I have to wait?
• What should I do if I get hit by a car?
• Why do I need uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
• What do I do if a dog chases and bites me?
• What is a vulnerable road user (“VRU”)?

Paul Anderson and Mark Schloegel are trial lawyers at Popham Injury Law in Kansas City, where their practice focuses on representing people injured by dangerous drivers and unsafe road conditions. Popham Injury Law is a team of dedicated trial lawyers who represent injured victims, on a contingency-fee basis, in Kansas City and across the country, fighting to ensure they receive full and fair compensation.

Many thanks to Popham Law for sponsoring our adult bike education series this spring!

What we're reading

KCATA Service to Continue Without Planned September Reductions | City Council unanimously approved additional funding that will cancel the layoffs and service reductions that had been planned to begin this month. (KCATA)

Walking or biking in Overland Park can be dangerous. Could a ‘Vision Zero’ pledge fix that? | “Vision Zero is a rallying cry, but at the end of the day, we have to have the political will and commitment. This is not a short-term solution; it is a long-term investment.” (Johnson County Post)

The South Side Collective Stepping Up To Transit-Oriented Development | As transit investment reaches Chicago’s disinvested neighborhoods, these Black entrepreneurs capture the value of real estate. (Next City)