The Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico, and the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, have been named recipients of the 2025 Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award, supported by the FIA Foundation.

The award recognizes the extremely different contexts of youth road safety in the United States: the Pueblo of Jemez is a federally recognized tribe of nearly 4,000 people in a rural area. In comparison, Minneapolis is home to more than 420,000 people. Despite their size differences, these places demonstrate parallel successes in prioritizing multimodal youth transportation and safety by focusing on changes to policy and the built environment and partnership building. This is the first year that the award committee chose to give two awards.

"Streets should be safe for all, and this year's winning places are addressing the needs of under-served communities; not just young people, but indigenous communities, pedestrians, and cyclists. It is heartening to see Pueblo of Jemez and Minneapolis commit to long-term, equitable and safe transport solutions," said Natalie Draisin, FIA Foundation Director of the North America Office & United Nations Representative. 

The Pueblo of Jemez community proactively identified risks, zeroed in on pedestrian safety in their plans, and built partnerships within the community and with state and local partners. This work was complemented by the construction of a two-mile separated walking path, direct support for local students through a new quick-build traffic calming project near Jemez Day School, and funding to provide free bicycles and helmets for students. 

"The Pueblo of Jemez is honoured to receive the Vision Zero for Youth Leadership Award," said George Shendo, Pueblo of Jemez Governor. "This national recognition of the unwavering commitment and collaboration of local leadership, tribal programs, community members, and local, state, and federal partners is focused on the protection and wellbeing of our children and our future. We are proud to lead by example."

The City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) collaborated on Vision Zero traffic safety and Safe Routes to School work, which included implementing a citywide 20mph speed limit on local neighbourhood streets, traffic safety improvements around schools, the introduction of speed safety cameras near schools, and youth engagement to inform policy and street improvements. As a result of these efforts, there have been reductions in motorist speeds by schools with recent treatments and big increases in the number of students learning bicycle safety. 

"Our kids need to be focused on what they're learning in school, not whether or not they're going to get there safely," said Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis. "This award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to creating safer streets, where every child and every adult can walk and bike without worry."

"Minneapolis Public Schools is proud to be recognized for its efforts around creating safer routes to school for our students who bike and walk," said Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams, MPS Superintendent. "Our student bike education programs combined with the city improvements like upgraded streets and reduced speed limits have a positive effect on our students' safety."

The Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award, now in its eighth year, recognizes cities, counties, and tribal governments that are taking bold steps to stop severe injuries and deaths among child and youth pedestrians and bicyclists. The award aims to highlight noteworthy practices and inspire other cities to act. Past recipients include Arlington, Va.; Los Angeles; New York City; Fremont, Calif.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Seattle. The Milwaukee Safe Routes to School Program received an innovation award during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"These communities have intentionally invested in partnerships and infrastructure changes that will support and sustain multimodal opportunities for children and families for years to come," said Nancy Pullen-Seufert, Director, National Center for Safe Routes to School, UNC Highway Safety Research Center. "Their achievements and commitment serve as examples for other communities small and large."

The award is presented by the Vision Zero for Youth initiative, led by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, with support from the FIA Foundation and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. Award ceremonies are being planned in partnership with the communities and will take place later this year.