ANCHORAGE – Today, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz will kick-off the public involvement process for Vision Zero Anchorage. Vision Zero is a commitment to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries for all road users.
This global initiative is founded on the belief that death and injury on city streets is preventable. Key components of this data-driven and coordinated approach include infrastructure, education, evaluation, encouragement, and enforcement. It has been successfully used in New York City and Seattle.
“Anchorage streets should be safe for everyone – pedestrians, bicyclist, and motorists,” said Mayor Berkowitz. “Vision Zero puts safety first.”
Mayor Berkowitz formed a steering committee to ensure Vision Zero represents all road users in Anchorage and to provide Anchorage-specific policy recommendations, this committee includes: Alaska Injury Prevention Center, Alaska Institute for Justice, ANTHC, Anchorage Senior Activity Center, Anchorage Women’s Commission, Bike Anchorage, Catholic Social Services, Disability Law Center of Alaska, Hope Community Resources, Municipality of Anchorage, and University of Alaska Anchorage.
"I'm thrilled with the Mayor's commitment to convening a collaborative effort to make our streets safer for everyone. It takes a community and multiple partners with a broad range of ideas to make change happen," said Marcia Howell, Executive Director of Alaska Injury Prevention Center.
The kickoff event this evening will be at the Rasmuson Hall Lobby at UAA from 6:00-8:00pm. The public involvement process continues with two more Town Hall meetings and an online survey. The town hall meeting details are:
- Wednesday, March 30, 6:00-8:00 PM at Fairview Recreation Center multipurpose room (1121 E 10th Ave).
- Saturday, April 2, 1:00-3:00 PM, location TBD
All input gathered from people who walk, bike, use transit, and drive will be reviewed, analyzed, and presented in a report on the public involvement process at the end of April.
Committing to Vision Zero and following through with implementation will substantially impact our community. Anchorage is the farthest north and first community of its size in the U.S. to take on this proactive approach to increasing public safety – making the Municipality a pioneer and model in developing policies that would impact traffic safety in every season.
For more information, contact Nora Morse at (907) 343-7102 or LIKE Vision Zero Anchorage on Facebook: facebook.com/vzanchorage.
###