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Youth-led walk audit at Northwestern High identifies missing crosswalks, bike lanes and lighting
Summary
A WABA-led walk audit with 40–50 students documented missing bike lanes, uneven sidewalks and dark stretches on MD-410/Belcrest/Adelphi. Students recommended bike lanes, better lighting and stop signs with lights; WABA compiled a report and plans program expansion next year.
Joseph Hamt, a youth organizer with the Washington Area Bicyclists Association, presented the Youth Vision 0 Leadership Institute's recent walk audit and a student-produced report.
Hamt said the walk audit covered Maryland 410, Adelphi Road and Belcrest Road with between 40 and 50 students participating and that students recorded observations using a checklist. "We put on a walk audit of Maryland 410 as well as Adelphi Road and Bellecrest Road," Hamt said. The audit included a debrief at the Hyattsville branch library and participation by public officials and agencies to help students learn about roadway planning.
Students reported safety assets (signs, curb ramps, crossing signals) and notable gaps: fading or missing crosswalks, uneven sidewalks near construction, lack of bike lanes, poor lighting and no flashing stop signs. During the debrief, students suggested adding bike lanes, more street lights, stop signs with lights and repairs to bumps and cracks. Student leader Roxy commented on high school constraints: "I think, like, just, like, more clearly distinct walking paths and driving paths, if that makes sense, is what they're looking for."
WABA assembled a walk-audit report summarizing those findings and noted that, because the Institute partners with a federal agency, the program's stated focus is outreach and education rather than direct advocacy. WABA said it plans to expand the program to include more students countywide next year and to run free biking-safety events.
