Take Action for Safer Streets

Pedestrian and bicycle safety is a critical issue in Anchorage, and your voice can make a difference. The recent tragedies on state-owned roads highlight the need for immediate changes to road design and infrastructure. We've drafted a template letter that you can send to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), urging them to prioritize safety and implement proven solutions. Your personal experiences and stories are powerful—use this letter as a guide, and make it your own to help push for safer, more inclusive streets.

Tips for Writing an Effective Letter:

• Tell your personal story. Share your experiences walking, biking, or navigating Anchorage’s streets—real stories help illustrate the urgency of the problem.
• Stay focused on the issue at hand. Keep the conversation centered on pedestrian and bicycle safety, and the changes needed to protect vulnerable road users.
• Ask directly for the changes you want to see. Be clear and specific about what you’re asking DOT&PF to do, whether it's road diets, more frequent crossings, or protected bike lanes.
• Be constructive and mindful. Remember that a person will be reading your letter. Be polite and professional while expressing the importance of immediate action.

Contact Information

Address your letter to DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson and Central Region Director Sean Holland.

Their emails are: [email protected], [email protected]

We recommend CC'ing your Anchorage Assembly members, or you can use the email address [email protected] to CC the whole Assembly. We also recommend CC'ing your State legislators.

Find your Assembly members here.

Find your State legislators here.

Template Letter

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Email Address]
[Date]

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Attn: Ryan Anderson, Commissioner and Sean Holland, Central Region Director

Dear Mr. Anderson and Mr. Holland,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the recent pedestrian fatalities on state-owned roads in Anchorage. These tragedies demonstrate the dangers that many of us face when walking, biking, or using other forms of nonmotorized transportation in our city. The design of these roads prioritizes moving cars quickly, but at the cost of safety for those of us who rely on walking and biking to get around.

As someone who regularly [walks/rides a bike/drives] in Anchorage, I have personally experienced how unsafe our streets can be. [Insert your personal experience: mention a specific location, the feeling of being unsafe, or a close call you’ve had.]

I am urging the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities to take immediate action to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on our roadways. Specifically, I ask that you implement proven safety measures such as:

[Insert your suggestions here. Below are a few ideas to get you started.]

• Reducing lane widths and vehicle speeds on high-traffic roads.
• Installing more frequent crosswalks and pedestrian beacons at locations that pedestrians are known to cross.
• Adding bike and pedestrian-specific infrastructure such as protected bike lanes and pedestrian zones.
• Ensuring better winter maintenance for sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure.

These changes are not just needed—they are long overdue. Our city’s streets must be designed to ensure everyone’s safety, whether they are driving, walking, biking, or using transit. Please do everything in your power to prevent further loss of life. I look forward to seeing real changes implemented in the near future.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]