In the heart of Riverside at Artist Square Park, a solemn day of reflection takes shape. On November 15, Bike Walk Jax (formerly BPAC) will host the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. According to an announcement on the City of Jacksonville's website, this year's remembrance will carry forward an all-too-familiar call to action against an ongoing health crisis. With 100 lives lost this year in Jacksonville traffic incidents, the event not only echoes a global reflection but punctuates the specific agony borne by local communities.
Where the streets we tread daily continue to witness untimely deaths. Here, the loss of life stacks up, stirring those affected into action. The American Planning Association's First Coast Section joins forces with the City of Jacksonville Transportation Planning Division and the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization to bring this event into being. The World Day of Remembrance, as stated on the City of Jacksonville announcement, "remembers the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on the world's roads, acknowledges the suffering of all those affected, and gives a voice to victims and their families."
Engagement on the ground level is a critical piece to the unfolding narrative of road safety. Bike Walk Jax calls upon local residents to take part, a move that foregrounds the urgency of communal participation. Seeking hands and hearts eager to contribute, the group is on the lookout for volunteers adept in planning logistics, media strategy, stakeholder coordination, photography, graphic design, and promotion. As mentioned on the City of Jacksonville's site, "As community residents, YOU are vital partners in improving the safety of our streets throughout Jacksonville."
Those willing to lend their time and skill can anticipate collaboration in the digital realm. Tomorrow, the organization will host a planning meeting from 5:30-6:30 PM, but virtually, underscoring the accessibility of involvement. Interested participants should respond to the email mentioned in the announcement for details on how to join the meeting.
