Aspen Launches Slow & Say Hello Safety Initiative

$0. That's what the city of Aspen is asking locals to pay for the new Slow & Say Hello! campaign, at least directly. The real cost, of course, is in changing behavior. The city has joined forces with regional partners to launch this community-centered safety initiative, aiming to make shared streets, trails, and pathways safer for all users.

Let's do the math. With more people than ever using these spaces - whether walking, biking, or horseback riding - the potential for conflict is high. The campaign's core principles - Slow Down, Say Hello, Show Up, Tune In, Stay in Control, and Leave No Trace - are simple, yet crucial. On paper, it sounds easy: just be more aware of your surroundings and courteous to others. In practice, it requires a fundamental shift in how people interact with each other and their environment.

For context, the Roaring Fork Valley is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with thousands of acres of open space and trails. The city of Aspen, along with partners like the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority and Pitkin County Open Space & Trails, is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that these spaces remain safe and enjoyable for everyone. The initiative is designed to promote safety and respect among users, and the city hopes to achieve this by encouraging people to be more mindful of their actions.

The campaign's emphasis on empathy and mutual respect is noteworthy. By encouraging users to put themselves in others' shoes, the city hopes to reduce surprises and conflicts. It's a bold approach, one that recognizes that safety is not just about infrastructure, but also about human behavior. The city's newsletter announcing the initiative drives this point home, stating that "every user group... plays a role in creating a safer environment."

The six core principles are designed to be applicable to all users, regardless of their mode of transportation. Slow Down is self-explanatory, while Say Hello encourages users to be more aware of their surroundings and engage with others. Show Up means being visible and predictable, whether that's signaling, staying to the right, or using lights when needed. Tune In requires users to be aware of their surroundings, limiting distractions like headphones, and knowing the rules before heading out. Stay in Control applies not just to people, but also to pets, and Leave No Trace is a reminder to respect the environment and other users.

The city's website, slowandsayhello.co, provides more information on the initiative and its principles. It's a valuable resource for locals and visitors alike, offering tips and guidelines on how to navigate the valley's shared spaces safely and responsibly. This campaign will depend on the willingness of users to adopt these principles and make a conscious effort to be more aware and respectful of others. It's a challenge, but one that the city of Aspen and its partners are committed to undertaking. For folks around here, it means being more mindful of how we use our shared spaces, and taking small actions to make a big difference. The city is not asking for money, but for a change in behavior - and that's a cost that's hard to quantify.