We want to help you become more effective advocates.  Feet First conducts trainings, assists communities in obtaining funding, and supervises programs at the neighborhood, city and school level.

Read all about the Pedestrian Master Plan

Some of our past successes and positions:

Crown Hill gets $100,000 of improvements

After 14-year old Nick Messenger was hit in a multiple-threat crash last year, Feet First worked with neighboring businesses, community members, and city leaders to make safety and a vital local economy a higher priority.  Nick is in a wheelchair, but we're working to make sure this does not happen again. Since the event, the Crown Hill Business community is working hard to raise funds and build the community as a destination district rather than a drive-through area.

In 2006, Seattle Department of Transportation has been investing this new money in the pedestrian safety and area improvements.  These treatments include sidewalks, new traffic calming, parking measures and areawide repairs and upgrades.

Statewide Safe Routes to School Program

March 22nd, 2005, Feet First organized a Safe Routes to School Education Day to encourage the State Legislature to expand funding of this new program for healthier children and safer communities. Washington's legislature approved $74 Million over 16 years to fund pedestrian & bicycle safety, including a grant program for schools and school districts. The Federal government has followed suit and funded a $651 Million national program.  Feet First is working as a part of both the State advisory committee and now through America Walks as a subcontractor to the national Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse. 
Together with the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, we will be offering support and training to people around the state that are interested in bringing state of the art practices into their communities.

Big Transportation Problems

Feet First offers an independent voice in major land use policy, transportation planning and engineering proposals.  The policy and major project areas often have significant consequences for pedestrian conditions in communities. We take a pragmatic, rational approach that often involves looking at how to re-examine the assumptions in the debates.

As an example, Feet First's Position on the Viaduct is: IMPROVE CONDITIONS NOW.
The Washington State Department of Transportation and the City of Seattle can calm the noise, improve earthquake safety, and reduce injuries and fatalities in two high accident locations along SR 99 with a simple solution. Feet First recommends the immediate reduction of speed on the Viaduct through innovative speed controls. This is also an opportunity to enlist new tools in Context Sensitive Design for the Viaduct. Seattle does not have to wait to replace the Viaduct to begin reclaiming the Waterfront. Read Feet First's Letter on the Viaduct Replacement (PDF)

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