AARP Indiana Promotes Safer Streets in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne is a vibrant and growing city that welcomes new residents every year. Whether walking, biking, driving, or using public transit, everyone deserves safe and accessible streets.

In 2016, the City of Fort Wayne demonstrated its commitment to safer streets by adopting a Complete Streets resolution. This was a meaningful step toward prioritizing the safety of all road users—not just drivers. While the resolution has led to progress, there’s still room to strengthen the policy and ensure more consistent implementation. Updating the existing resolution with clearer standards and stronger guidance would help advance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers alike.

Join our efforts to make Fort Wayne a safer, more livable community for people of all ages?

Complete Streets kickoff event
On Saturday, March 8, 2025, AARP Indiana held a Complete Streets kickoff event in Fort Wayne at The Forum. Attendees got to watch the premiere of the Complete Streets video, hear from a panel of local advocates on the importance of safer streets, and participate in a Q&A. Light snacks and drinks were provided by Chapman Brewing.

Overall, the event was a great success with over 60 people in attendance. Director of Community Engagement, Emily Gorman, gave opening remarks and Active Transportation Coalition member Betsy Kachmar spoke briefly about Complete Streets. AARP Indiana volunteer Becky Weimerskirch was interviewed by WANE 15, who was also present at the event.

You can watch the recap video above or on the AARP Indiana YouTube page. Below you will find additional information on Complete Streets and how you can join the effort to make Fort Wayne more livable.

What is Complete Streets?
Whether you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorist, or transit rider you deserve access to safe and accessible streets. AARP Indiana has partnered with Smart Growth America to advocate for an upgrade of the current Complete Streets resolution in Fort Wayne. Complete Streets is a city-wide approach to planning, designing, building and maintaining streets that enables safe access for people of all ages, including older adults.

The city of Fort Wayne adopted its original Complete Streets resolution in 2016 and while the resolution has led to progress, there’s still room to strengthen the policy and ensure more consistent implementation..

For more detailed information about Complete Streets check out the interview below with Tim Morstad, AARP Government Affairs Director. You can also watch the video on the AARP Indiana YouTube page.

Why does Fort Wayne need to update its Complete Streets resolution?
Smart Growth America’s “Dangerous by Design” report highlights how inadequate road design has led to a 40-year high in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities nationwide. Indiana is following this trend. The Fort Wayne Police Department has reported more pedestrian deaths due to being struck by a car in the last four years. These statistics underscore the importance of revising the Fort Wayne Complete Streets resolution, demonstrating the city's commitment to the community and its safety.

Fort Wayne is a thriving city, attracting more residents every year. Since 2010, the city has grown over 7% to reach a population of over 270,000 local residents. After Indianapolis, Fort Wayne is the second-largest city in Indiana. These numbers indicate that an increasing number of people are moving to Fort Wayne, and they are seeking accessibility. The 15-minute city (residents’ daily needs are within a 15-minute walk, cycle or public transit ride away) is gaining popularity among both U.S. residents and policymakers, indicating a need for Fort Wayne to continue to improve their transportation infrastructure.

How can you get involved?
There are multiple ways for you as an individual to get involved with the Complete Streets movement. The first is to join the Active Transportation Coalition (ATC), Complete Streets Policy Subcommittee (linked here). The ATC’s goal is to reform Fort Wayne’s existing Complete Streets Policy Resolution and pass the policy as an ordinance.

Lastly, you can join us in the effort to make Fort Wayne a more livable community. Click the link and you will be taken to the action page for AARP Indiana and Complete Streets.

Be sure to follow AARP Indiana on Facebook, YouTube, and X for continued updates from the Fort Wayne area.