About
Who are we?
We are Columbus residents who seek to create demand for streets that serve all people foot, bike, scooter, transit, etc. to move around. Our group is a passionate bunch who have come together organically to bring people back into the streets. Streets began as places for people to gather. Today, they serve as pathways prioritizing cars to get from A to B as quickly as possible. Open Streets Columbus wants to show that streets can be both pathways to get you to your destination as well as BEING a destination.
What are Open Streets?
Open Streets Columbus is part of an international Open Streets movement happening in many cities throughout the U.S., Canada, and around the world.
When was the last time you walked or rode your bike in the middle of the street without worrying about cars? Open Streets Columbus temporarily close streets to cars, so that people may use them for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing, and socializing. Open Streets promotes healthy lifestyle and recreational activities through car-free streets.
Streets become ‘paved parks’ allowing people to explore their city through a slower lens. People traffic replaces car traffic, and the streets become ‘paved parks’ where people of all ages, abilities, and social, economic, or ethnic backgrounds can come out and improve their mental, physical, and emotional health.
The Open Streets movement is about so much more than biking. Open Streets are about getting communities active and changing the way people view their streets and neighborhoods. And the beautiful thing about Open Streets is they are for everyone–from young to old, from people on skateboards and roller-skates to people in wheelchairs.
Check out this great promo video edited by John Thorne.