Perils for Pedestrians
Bethesda, Maryland
Source: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
Background
Started in 1996, Perils for Pedestrians is a public access television series designed to educate the public on issues affecting pedestrians including barriers to safety as well as solutions.
Solution
A new 28-minute episode is produced each month detailing either a case study or a specific issue. People interviewed include advocates, planners, engineers, and local and international public officials. Issues have included hazards confronting pedestrians, good pedestrian infrastructure, bicycles and transit, and more.
Funding is provided from personal funds and all work in done in-house. Total production costs, including the maintenance of the website, totals nearly $7,000 a year. The show is aired for free on local public access channels and hosted by advocates around the country. The program is now archived on Blip TV at:
www.youtube.com/pedadvocate
Results
Interviews have been conducted in all 50 states, as well as in 15 countries around the world. The series is shown on over 150 public access cable stations across the United States. The program helps raise public awareness and knowledge of issues affecting pedestrians. Regular viewers include city council members and planners who gain ideas from the program. The web site has 100,000 visitors per year.
Contact
John Z Wetmore
4730 Bradley Boulevard, Apt. 207
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 915-0287
