AARP to kick off Pedestrian Safety Month by inviting public to 2 free events with renowned innovator, author Oct. 5-6

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed, and an estimated 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In an effort to reduce these numbers and kickoff the start of Pedestrian Safety Month in October, AARP Wisconsin is bringing Jonathon Stalls – founder of Walk2Connect (https://www.walk2connect.com/) and Pedestrian Dignity (https://www.intrinsicpaths.com/pedestrian-dignity) and author of the newly released “WALK: Slow Down, Wake Up, and Connect at 1-3 Miles per Hour” to Milwaukee for two free events that are open to the public on Oct. 5 and 6.

A “Community Glow Stick Walk” will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Hoyt Park, 1800 N. Swan Boulevard (Picnic Area #1), Wauwatosa. Join AARP Wisconsin and Stalls for a walking and rolling event within the Hoyt Park area.

Please wear comfortable shoes as this will primarily be a walking event. The event is free and open to all ages, but participants are asked to register in advance here: https://events.aarp.org/WiGlowStick

Then on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., AARP and Stalls will hold another event called “The Amani Pedestrian Dignity Experience” at the Dominican Center, 2470 W. Locust St, Milwaukee (meet at this location). This will be a walking and rolling event within the Amani neighborhood. To register for this free event, visit: https://events.aarp.org/pedestriandignity.

According to Stalls, Pedestrian Dignity events center on the lived experience of all who walk, use a wheelchair and take transit as their primary form of transportation. “We will move with the many gaps and opportunities facing all who walk, roll and use the bus in car-dominated built environments,” he said.

Participants are invited to connect to one another around pedestrian behavior related to practical trips (origins/destinations) and co-create solutions and next steps around what can be done to protect, honor and care for today’s pedestrian.