Solutions for a Problem: Making Kansas City a Cycling-friendly Metro

A Science Matters Lunch & Learn from Linda Hall Library and the Kansas City Public Library. 

The beginnings of BikeWalkKC go back to 2008 when the BBC came to town. Kansas City, Missouri, had just ranked dead last in the League of American Bicyclists’ list of bike-friendly cities. The BBC wanted to know what it was like to bicycle in the worst cycling city in America, so they came to Kansas City and did a half-hour radio documentary.

The unwanted notoriety got the attention of local leaders. They set a goal for Kansas City to move out of last place and achieve bike-friendly status. It also spurred advocates to address the fact that Kansas City was the largest US city without a professional bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization.

Meet Eric Rogers, executive director and co-founder of BikeWalkKC, to learn about the progress Kansas City has made, and the challenges we continue to face, 15 years after the BBC story. Eric will discuss current and proposed infrastructure projects. He will share findings from BikeWalkKC’s 2023 study of the Gillham cycle track, and offer ways to advocate for safer biking and walking in your community.

Note: This program will be presented in-person at Kansas City Public Library-Central Library in the Helzberg Auditorium. The Central Library is located at 14 West 10th Street in Kansas City, MO 64105. The Central Library parking garage (including bike parking) is located directly west of the Central Library building on the northwest corner of 10th & Baltimore.