Working With the Next Generation: Coalition Members Mentor U of A Students on Mobility Project

Partnerships for a bike-friendly Bentonville can begin in the most unlikely places—and so can opportunities to mentor future leaders in the mobility space who we hope, one day, will consider bringing their energy and ideas back to Bentonville!

The best part: We had to look only a half hour down the road toward the University of Arkansas campus for this memorable mentorship opportunity. Working with a student team from the McMillon Innovation Studio, located on the university’s campus in Fayetteville, Coalition members collaborated with and supported students as they developed a plan to make commuting via bike more connected, accessible and safe throughout Bentonville.

The result: the Pathway Pride Pilot Program, which leverages different forms of tactical urbanism to create and raise awareness for safer bike lanes and paths within the city.

“They already see the need for great infrastructure for all types of commuters, and we have no doubt they will be a part of the solution one day,” said Jessica Pearson, Coalition manager.

First stop: Students walked and drove Bentonville to gauge the city’s existing mobility infrastructure and cycling environment. They also interviewed dozens of residents and city leaders, including the mayor, city council members, engineers, planners, law enforcement, teachers and commuting cyclists.

Themes of certain challenges quickly emerged, like limited options for crossing I-49 and major arterials. But so did positive momentum, including motion-sensing lights to improve visibility, some protected bike lanes already in place, dedicated bicycle signals and existing shared-use paths.

Growing support throughout the Bentonville community, as well as support from the school district (learn-to ride programs) also are working in our favor.

Moving forward, the Pathway Pride Pilot Program focuses on increasing connectivity infrastructure, so cyclists feel safer while commuting and regularly biking throughout our communities. Recommendations included:

• Temporary Infrastructure—to increase safety and raise awareness with relatively low-cost changes, like cones or other barriers

• Improved Wayfinding—with physical signs to navigate; they can be temporary but the idea is to get something up to raise awareness about existing paths, new routes and bike-accessible businesses on routes.

• Public Art—miles of high-traffic pavement provide a ready-made canvas for pop-up art of various mediums, including chalk art and sidewalk decoration contests.

“These students are the best of the best in doing the work, staying committed to a project, and coming up with creative, achievable solutions,” said Jessica. “They have a bright future, and thanks, in part, to their recommendations, so does the future of biking in Bentonville.”

The innovation studio’s mission is to develop future leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators by cultivating their creative mindset and connecting them to opportunities to make real-world impact. The Coalition worked with the student team in a mentorship capacity.