Nonprofit launches campaign to help keep Kansas City walkers, bikers safe
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There's a new campaign to help keep you safe as you walk or bike.
It's called Look Out for KC. Its goal is to significantly reduce the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed in crashes in Kansas City.
Memorial Day travel expected to break 20-year record
Independence Boulevard Christian Church sits right on Independence Avenue, which safety advocates say is one of the most dangerous streets in the city.
According to city leaders, there have been three deaths, nine serious injuries and almost 40 crashes on Independence Avenue in the last 18 months.
Pastor Mindy Fugarino said cars often drive above the speed limit and don't see members heading to church.
'The crosswalk is painted, but most people aren't seeing that and we did have somebody last year who did get hit,' she said.
On Monday, local nonprofit BikeWalkKC launched its campaign to help reduce the number of pedestrians who are struck. Part of the money for the campaign comes from a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The campaign will include sidewalk decals and billboards across the city.
'Far too often, when we hear about these crashes, it's kind of just a story, a blip, and it goes away,' said Michael Kelley with BikeWalkKC. 'But the fact of the matter is, these are our neighbors, these are our family members that we are losing to something that we know we can prevent.'
One of those decals will go at 86th Terrace and Troost Avenue, where Asia Dunmore's mother Michelle was .
She said their family has never been the same.
See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri
'My hope is first that everyone begins to pay more attention when driving. People drive a little safer, put their phones down and try not to evade capture,' Dunmore said. 'If something happens, own up to it.'
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