AARP Joins Campaign to Reform National Transpo Policy
Photo: AARPAARP announced today that it will join the Transportation for America campaign to advocate for a “broad restructuring” of national transportation policy.
In a letter sent to Congressional leaders last week [PDF], AARP said that it is “working to enable older adults to live independently in their homes and communities throughout their lifespan, and transportation is critical to maintaining the community connections that make that possible.”
Forty million Americans over the age of 50 belong to the organization, which is increasingly focused on the next federal transportation bill. “America is aging rapidly and transportation policy and spending must acknowledge this demographic shift,” said AARP’s Nancy Leamond in a press statement. “The upcoming transportation authorization can help the nation prepare both for its graying years and a greener future by making roads safer for drivers of all ages and also offering more user friendly options for pedestrians and transit users.”
AARP’s publications have been turning an eye toward the benefits of reducing car dependence and making streets safer for older Americans. Recent articles in the AARP Bulletin have examined Safe Streets for Seniors programs and the need to invest stimulus funds in infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit. An ongoing collaboration with Project for Public Spaces produced a series of three books about how citizens can improve their streets.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
