When Runner’s World conducted a survey on running and harassment earlier this year, more than 5,000 people opened up to us about their experiences. One of the most upsetting things we learned is that 45 percent of the women we surveyed say they no longer run in certain places because they fear for their safety.
It’s not fair that there are places where women don’t feel comfortable. But that’s something we can start to change. We asked expert Alison Bourquin, a runner and landscape architect, urban planner, and urban designer in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, what anyone can do to make their area safer for runners.
Know Who to Talk To
To advocate for maintenance or improvement of a municipal park or trail—like trimming overgrown areas or installing more lighting—call your city’s parks and rec department or your city council members. It’s within your rights as a local citizen to ask them to keep those trails safe and maintained, says Bourquin. Some regional trails run through official transit districts. “Follow your district on social media or sign up for their emails or newsletters,” Bourquin says. “That way you’ll know when they are looking for comments on how they prioritize funds. Your input matters.”
Join a Trail Org
“Getting involved with those nonprofit trail organizations can be a great way to help see more trails built around your community,” Bourquin says. Search for trail organizations in your state on the Partnership for the National Trails System website.
Team Up With Cyclists
Cyclists and cycling organizations tend to be more involved with advocating for trail building, safety, and maintenance than runners are, Bourquin says. Ask at a local bike shop if they can point you to someone who is working on trail advocacy, then volunteer to help.
Form a Run Patrol
Enlist a Watch NOT TODAY, a Film From Runners World or a few of your running friends for a moving neighborhood watch. Informally adopt a trail or roadside route and run it together once a week. Along the way, pick up any litter and notice any burnt-out streetlights, overgrown areas, or suspicious activity so you can report it. “That would be great to see from the running community—to take more ownership of the places where we spend so much of our time,” Bourquin says.
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