Safe Streets Week: A journey toward safer streets (October 8-10, 2024)

This year, the Hillsborough TPO has expanded the Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit into a full Safe Streets Week in partnership with Plan Hillsborough, Walk Bike Tampa, Tampa’s Downtown Partnership, Sidewalk Stompers, and the Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Coalition. Throughout the week, we’ll host a variety of events and community conversations focused on making our streets safer for everyone. This year’s event, hosted October 8-10, is packed with meaningful opportunities to learn, engage, and take action to create safer streets for all. Whether you walk, bike, or drive, this week offers valuable insights into making our community safer. 

Here’s what’s happening during Safe Streets Week: 

Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Coalition Meeting 

Join us for this two-day meeting at Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 2: 

• October 8 from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm 

• October 9 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm  

This meeting is open to the public, and time will be reserved for public comment. If you are interested in attending, please notify Megan Mello at [email protected].  

Tampa’s Downtown Partnership Debriefing Series 

• October 9 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am  

At the Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, hear from Gil Penalosa, an international expert on creating vibrant public spaces, as he discusses how parks, streets, and public spaces can transform communities. 

Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit*   

It will be held at the Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 2, and free parking will be provided. This regional educational event brings together community partners to enhance efforts in designing and implementing safe, equitable transportation facilities for all modes of travel. Whether you’re passionate about pedestrian and bicycle safety or want to be part of the movement toward safer streets, this summit is for you. Join us as we Inspire Doable Change! 

• October 9 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm: get hands-on experience during the Bicycle & Walking Mobile Workshops. The location is to be determined, but it’s sure to be an exciting way to experience street design and safety improvements firsthand 

• October 9 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm: We’re thrilled to welcome Gil Penalosa, Founder and Chair of 8 80 Cities, as our keynote speaker. Gil is a global leader in urban transformation, known for developing over 200 parks and launching the world-renowned Cyclovia (Ciclovia in Spanish) program in Bogotá, Colombia. He’s passionate about creating cities that work for everyone from ages 8 to 80. Each event Gil speaks at during Safe Streets Week will cover a unique topic, so don’t miss out! 

• October 9, beginning at 5:00 pm: Networking and Reception at the Tampa History Center (included in the summit registration) will begin immediately following the Summit. The History Center is a short streetcar ride or 8-minute walk from Port Tampa Bay. 

*Registration fees apply for the Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit and Mobile Workshops. For more details and to register and/or become a sponsor, visit Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit 2024 – Plan Hillsborough.

Safe Streets: A Community Conversation with National Leaders 

• October 10 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Safe Streets: A Community Conversation with National Leaders. Join Gil Penalosa and Jessica Riester Hart from Families for Safe Streets at the Seminole Garden Center. They’ll discuss strategies for inspiring change and making streets safer for everyone. 

Join us from October 8-10 and help us create safer, more livable streets for everyone in our community!