Golden Paths and Generational Bridges: Storygathering to Build Trust and Shape Age-Friendly Mobility 

August 19, 2026 at 3:00 pm ET

Presenters: 

Older adults often face the greatest challenges in navigating sidewalks, crossings, and public spaces, yet their voices are rarely centered in mobility planning. This session will share how the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition is using storygathering, through its AARP Community Challenge project Golden Paths and Generational Bridges in Newark, to hear directly from residents age 50+ and ensure mobility planning supports the aging process. In partnership with the City of Newark’s Senior Services, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey’s Media Girls program, and a local Newark storytelling firm, the project takes shape as a fun community festival where older adults and youth capture and share mobility stories while also being introduced to sustainable mobility resources and new transportation options. These face-to-face conversations create a non-threatening way to disarm fears, surface concerns, such as e-scooters on sidewalks, and spark dialogue about how sidewalks, crossings, and transit can (or cannot) support safe, independent aging. By engaging residents personally, the project primes the community for future changes while building support for safer, more inclusive infrastructure, programs, and policies. The stories live on in a digital gallery and planned permanent exhibit, ensuring older adults’ voices continue to guide decisions long after the event.