If you live in Edmonton*, you likely know about Paths for People, a non-profit grassroots organization advocating for multimodal transportation systems in the city. With a membership of about 1,500 people across Edmonton, Paths for People engages in direct advocacy with the municipal government as well as creating educational programs to help Edmontonians envision their streets differently. Their goal is to strive for a livable city that isn’t driven by car-centered infrastructure, but rather infrastructure focused on shared-use paths, safer crosswalks and sidewalks, better bike lanes, and walkable pathways all across the city and suburbs.
Paths for People came to fruition around the mid 2010s where they strived to install a bike grid in downtown Edmonton and to create clear bike lane separation. Recognizing the broader need to enhance city-wide safety and livability, the organization has broadened its scope to encompass a holistic approach to urban infrastructure. This evolution mirrors their inclusive organizational structure, which values diverse perspectives and expertise.
Stephen, who serves as the volunteer chair of the Paths for People Board, highlighted the organization’s distinctive structure. He noted, “We navigate the delicate balance between grassroots activism and engaging in public policy advocacy. Our approach involves presenting diverse perspectives, including those of engineers, public health experts, and community engagement specialists, to influence city planning decisions regarding public transportation.”
Central to their mission is the drive to instigate a paradigm shift in urban planning towards prioritizing multimodal transportation. The initial idea of a downtown bike grid was an “exceptional basis in infrastructure planning where the city agreed to ‘try something new,’ Stephen shared.
One significant hurdle lies in public perception. Habituated to car-centric urban landscapes, Edmontonians must be persuaded to embrace alternative modes of transportation, particularly in harsh winter conditions. Overcoming this resistance demands nuanced outreach strategies, leveraging existing communities like avid cyclists to amplify advocacy efforts and promote safer streets.
The other major challenge, as many not-for-profit organizations face, is funding their programs and projects. Access to The Youth Harbour Action Grant was fundamental in mobilizing the advocacy needed to implement a municipal budget specifically towards active transportation systems. With the grant, Paths for People was able to influence the City Council’s decision to approve $100 million in the capital budget specifically for active transportation. This has sparked the development of projects and construction of kilometers of infrastructure.
Yet, there remains a need to dispel misconceptions about the scope of such initiatives. Projects like ‘Missing Links,’ which identifies and address gaps in pedestrian infrastructure, underscore the broader societal benefits of prioritizing active transportation. Unlike what some Edmontonians think, this isn’t a fund “just for bikes.”
Connecting sidewalks between neighborhood sections improves pedestrian mobility, particularly in snowy conditions when unpaved paths are blocked. Inadequate infrastructure limits residents’ ability to engage with their community, despite cars taking precedence in development.
Looking ahead, Paths for People remains committed to its mission of fostering a safer, healthier, and more inclusive urban environment. By prioritizing strategic planning, fostering community engagement, and advocating for sustainable funding, they aim to ensure their work continues to shape Edmonton’s transportation landscape for years to come.
“A lot of nonprofits can end up feeling like chickens running around with their heads cut off and end up stumbling because long-term planning can be difficult,” Stephen shared. “The [Youth Harbour] funding supported stability for the organization so we could recruit new leaders for tomorrow.”
*Edmonton is situated on Treaty Six Territory and within the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4, traditional territories of numerous First Nations, including the Nêhiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot).