What is the Pedestrian Pride Project?
Pedestrian Pride amplifies the voices of working-class people in Columbia, Missouri, who walk and roll to meet their daily needs. Through storytelling, advocacy, community engagement, and education, we ensure their experiences drive the push for safer, more inclusive streets that serve everyone.
Our Story
Pedestrian Pride began as a capstone project funded by a grant awarded to the local nonprofit, Local Motion. The grant aimed to empower community members to develop a transportation advocacy initiative, and from this opportunity, Pedestrian Pride was born. What started as an individual project has grown into a grassroots movement committed to highlighting the voices of pedestrians and cyclists throughout Columbia, Missouri.
Founded by community advocate and walking commuter McKenzie Ortiz, Pedestrian Pride is rooted in the belief that the stories of those who walk and roll daily should be at the forefront of urban advocacy. Through powerful storytelling and community engagement, we feature the experiences of working-class residents who commute out of necessity, as well as those who are disabled or have mobility limitations. By centering these narratives, we aim to bring attention to the real challenges they face and push for meaningful, inclusive change.
Our work is deeply collaborative and ever-evolving, and we are always seeking more community involvement. By sharing stories on our social media platforms and hosting events, we invite residents to contribute their voices and perspectives to our collective mission for safer, more accessible streets.
