Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award

Fremont, CA

 

Past recipients

Fremont, CA
Lincoln, NE
Los Angeles, CA
Milwaukee, WI*
New York City, NY
Seattle, WA

The Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award recognizes places that are taking bold steps to stop severe injuries and deaths among child and youth pedestrians and bicyclists. The award aims to highlight noteworthy practices and inspire other cities to take action.

Cities, counties and tribal governments that have taken action and shown progress in improving child and youth pedestrian and bicyclist safety, regardless of what the program is called, are encouraged to apply.

The winner will be announced in Spring 2024 and the winner and finalists will be invited to share their programs with national audiences.

Now in its seventh year, the Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award is given annually by the National Center for Safe Routes to School in partnership with the FIA Foundation and the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center.

 

2024 Award application period is currently closed.

 

Eligibility

  • The award recipient can be a city or county government or tribal government in the United States.
  • Applications may be submitted by the intended recipient or nominated by an outside individual or organization.
  • Local government Vision Zero commitment is not required.
  • Communities of any population size are eligible for the award.
  • Efforts to advance child and youth pedestrian safety must benefit one or more disadvantaged communities.

Criteria and selection

Note: Applicants do not need to have action or success in all bulleted items in order to be selected for the award.

Accomplishments – 10 points

  • Accessible infrastructure improvements to calm traffic, improve crossings, and/or provide safe spaces for youth walking, biking, or rolling.
  • Establishment of policies that benefit youth pedestrians or bicyclists such as a neighborhood traffic calming program, prioritized list of schools for improvements or something else.
  • Evidence of progress (such as reductions in deaths and severe injuries; reduction in vehicle speeds; increases in walking and biking; implementation of proven safety countermeasures).
  • Adopted Vision Zero or other plan(s) with strategies beyond education that target safety issues for children and youth.

Community Involvement – 10 points

  • Partnerships with community groups, potentially including school districts, other city departments, local organizations, community members, elected officials, youth groups and advocates.
  • Evidence of neighborhood involvement (such as work with the community to create support for traffic calming measures that began with a focus on child pedestrians and/or bicyclists).
  • Evidence of support from local government, elected officials, or other leaders and decision makers for youth pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Approach – 10 points

  • Implementation of proven strategies and countermeasures.
  • Proactive identification of places that have the greatest likelihood for crashes and prioritizing resources to those places.
  • Focus on built environment and not just youth education.
  • Evidence of long-term commitment.

These elements all align with a Safe System approach.

Contact

For questions, email info@visionzeroforyouth.org