Making Streets Work for Everyone: Dispatch from Eugene

By: Mikala Marshall, AARP Oregon Communications and Community Engagement Intern

Transportation is more than just getting from point A to point B. It’s the lifeline that connects us to family, friends, healthcare, jobs, and the places that make our communities thrive. Safe, accessible, and affordable transportation is essential to maintaining independence and staying connected. That’s why AARP Oregon is proud to champion livable communities where people of all ages can thrive, and why we’re partnering with BEST Oregon to support their Better Streets project.

Why Transportation Matters for Livable Communities

Livable communities are places where people can age in place with dignity, independence, and connection. Housing, transportation, and community spaces all play a role. But transportation is often the key that unlocks everything else.

• Safety first: Streets designed for people—not just cars—reduce crashes and make walking, biking, and transit safer for everyone.
• Accessibility: Reliable options ensure older adults can reach medical appointments, grocery stores, and social activities without depending solely on driving.
• Affordability: Public transit and safe walking routes provide cost-effective alternatives, especially for those on fixed incomes.
• Connection: Transportation links us to our communities, helping combat isolation and fostering stronger social ties.

AARP Oregon Vital Voices Survey underscore this need:

• 83% of Oregonians say independent mobility is an important issue.
• 60% say safe, walkable sidewalks are essential.

These numbers reflect a clear demand for transportation systems that support independence and safety for all ages. As Bandana, AARP Oregon’s State Director, put it: “People want to age in their own community. Safe streets are fundamental for thriving communities, but also essential for individuals to lead connected lives.”

Working with Transportation Leaders

As part of our work in Eugene Springfield, AARP Oregon is partnering with Better Eugene-Springfield Transit (BEST) to improve street safety and mobility options and help make the region a more age-friendly place for people of all ages and abilities.

Together, AARP Oregon and BEST are working to:

• Elevate community voices in Eugene and Lane County.
• Push for safer street designs that prioritize people over speed.
• Ensure transportation planning reflects the needs of older adults and residents of all ages.

BEST has long been a leader in advocating for safer, more people-centered streets. Their Better Streets project focuses on creating streets that work for everyone—whether you’re walking, biking, riding transit, or driving. BEST’s approach goes beyond infrastructure. As Executive Director Rob Zako explains, BEST acts as a bridge between the public and elected officials, helping build understanding and support for transportation projects.

“Empathy and understanding is how we build community,” says Zako. “Acknowledging each other’s problems is the basis of a solution.” Rather than starting with solutions, BEST begins by listening. In 2023, they received their first grant to gauge public sentiment on Franklin Boulevard. The results were telling: three-quarters of more than 600 respondents rated the street as ‘so-so’ or ‘bad.’ That feedback fueled efforts to improve the important transportations corridor.

It has also led to focus on two additional neighborhoods. Recently, BEST and AARP collaborated to bring Smart Growth America to Eugene that kicked off an 8-month long community engagement efforts in Highway 99 and River Road. In November, two walk audits, public townhalls and smaller group strategy sessions brought together neighbors, businesses, city staff, other transportation and community stakeholders and elected leaders to discuss and identify issues and solutions in making these streets work better for everyone. These events were designed to send a clear message: “You matter. We want you to be there.”

Why This Work Matters

Looking at the US transportation system, one might assume that everyone drives—but that’s far from reality. Advocates like Anna Zivarts, author of a recent book When Driving is Not an Option and founder of “Week Without Driving,” remind us that one-third of Americans cannot or do not drive due to accessibility, affordability, or choice. As she said at a recent community forum in Eugene, our communities need mobility options that work for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

Safe and accessible streets and reliable transit are the bedrock of livable and economically thriving communities. “When people drive, money flows out of local communities for cars and fuel purchased elsewhere,” says Zako. Walkable streets and options beyond driving can mean foot traffic in main streets that businesses rely on.

Looking Ahead

Transportation reform in Oregon is gaining momentum, from grassroots volunteers to city council debates. With upcoming surveys for River Road and Highway 99, BEST plans to amplify community voices through data and personal stories. By joining forces, AARP Oregon and BEST Oregon are helping ensure that older adults are not left behind in these conversations.

Safe, accessible, and affordable transportation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. And with strong partnerships, we can build communities where everyone, regardless of age, has the freedom to live connected, independent lives.