11/08/02

Tom Bertulis from Feet First is working on a map project to encourage people to walk. The map will be modeled after the format Feet First used for a similar project in Ballard. The "Ballard Pedestrian Friend" map can be found at: http://www.scn.org/feetfirst/ballard/.

Tom would like to hear from you. The basic question is what could be put on the map to get more people to walk more often, whether to the store, to school, or to their friends house across town?

The map will include the area around the U District, Laurelhurst, Roosevelt, Ravenna, U Village, Montlake, Eastlake, and Wallingford. Basically, the map will include areas within 1.5 to 2 miles of the center of the UW campus. This map is going to be produced with a grant from the University of Washington. I am working on this map together with David Levinger, the president of Feet First, along with three student interns. Peter Dewey from the UW is overseeing the project.

The goals of the project are to:

1. Inspire people in the community.
2. Raise awareness as walking as a form of transportation.
3. Increase the number and quality of walking trips.

In a nutshell, the goal is to "Change Culture."

If you have questions about the project or would like to submit comments, contact Tom Bertulis at tomaso@u.washington.edu. The map must get to the printers by December 9th, so he needs to hear from you or your group very soon.