Lincoln receives national recognition for child pedestrian safety work

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. and LINCOLN, Neb. (March 28, 2023) – The National Center for Safe Routes to School is pleased to name the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, the 2023 recipient of the U.S. Vision Zero for Youth Leadership Award. Lincoln, through the impressive work of the City of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, distinguished itself as a leader in youth walking and biking safety.

“Lincoln’s work to prioritize safe walking and biking for youth embodies Vision Zero for Youth leadership,” said Nancy Pullen-Seufert, Director, National Center for Safe Routes to School, UNC Highway Safety Research Center. “We are honored to recognize the accomplishments of the City of Lincoln, and hope the impact of the city and its partners’ efforts on behalf of children’s pedestrian safety will continue to grow in the years ahead.”

Pullen-Seufert said the Award Committee was impressed by the community and partner involvement; infrastructure benefits in an underserved neighborhood school resulting in reduced traffic speeds; and establishment of school zone standards that set the stage for improving safety around all schools.

“Making sure Lincoln’s littlest residents can safely walk, bike or ride to school is a priority we all share,” said Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. “As a community, we work together to deliver on this priority, knowing that, as adults, we have a special responsibility to help safeguard our children’s lives as they grow.”

The U.S. Vision Zero for Youth Leadership Award, now in its fifth year, recognizes cities that are leading the way in prioritizing children’s pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Past recipients include the City of Los Angeles and L.A. Unified School District; New York City and its Vision Zero Task Force; the City of Fremont, CA; and the City of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools. The U.S. Award is presented by the Vision Zero for Youth initiative, led by the National Center for Safe Routes to School with support from the FIA Foundation and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. The U.S. Award program is informed by an advisory committee comprised of international road safety organizations including ITE, NACTO, Safe Kids, FHWA, Safe Routes Partnership, FIA Foundation, Atlanta DOT, COMTO, NHTSA and others.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School is presenting the award on March 28 at Saratoga Elementary School.

###

Vision Zero for Youth
Launched by the National Center for Safe Routes to School in 2016, the Vision Zero for Youth initiative encourages communities and elected officials to focus safety improvements and efforts to slow traffic speeds where children and youth travel. Starting with youth can be the spark that creates community support for a broader Vision Zero program to eliminate all traffic fatalities. The initiative includes resources, ideas for taking action, and national and international recognition programs. Support for the initiative is provided by the FIA Foundation and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. For more information about Vision Zero for Youth, visit visionzeroforyouth.org.

National Center for Safe Routes to School
Established in 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School helps communities change their culture around safe and active travel. Its role includes national coordination and technical assistance for US Walk to School Day and Bike to School Day, and providing tools, training, research and evaluation for safe walking and bicycling for children and youth. The National Center for Safe Routes to School served as US Federal Highway Administration’s clearinghouse for the federal SRTS program for eleven years. It is located at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, hsrc.unc.edu.