News

Over the past quarter, the Friendly Driver Program has continued to grow and reach new audiences—all with the goal of fostering safer roads through education and understanding.

Thanks to grant funding and strong local partnerships, our program has reached two of our priority counties this spring. Last quarter, we reached 461 new student drivers through 11 in-classroom presentations delivered in collaboration with high school Driver’s Education programs. These young drivers walked away with tools and awareness that help create safer conditions for everyone on the road—whether behind the wheel, on foot, or on a bike.

Led by Program Manager Oliver Sendall, our team facilitated engaging and informative sessions that break down real-world scenarios and provide simple, practical guidance for everyday travel:

• Motorist driving habits that affect people who bike and pedestrians;
• Explanation of common bicyclist practices;
• How to avoid common crashes between motorists and vulnerable road users;
• Active transportation infrastructure (like bike lanes); and Complete Streets concepts.

These sessions are strengthened by the relationships we’ve built with local educators who see firsthand how this information resonates with students. They’ve described our sessions as “engaging,” “real,” and “a helpful extension of the Driver’s Ed curriculum.”

As we look toward the rest of the year, we’re continuing to connect with more school systems, organizations, and community leaders who want to help make North Carolina’s roads safer. The Friendly Driver Program is available both in person and virtually, making it easy to bring these important conversations to your classroom or community—wherever you are in the state.

Special thanks to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program—our program wouldn’t be possible without their support.

Want to host a session?
Email us at programs@bikewalknc.org to get started.

Designed to educate motorists on safely sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, the program fosters safer and more inclusive streets across North Carolina. Last year alone, 687 attendees participated in FDP workshops, each taking an important step toward building a culture of awareness and respect on our roads.

The Friendly Driver Program is a one-hour interactive course covering essential road-sharing topics, including:

• Common crash scenarios and how to prevent them
• The legal rights and responsibilities of all road users
• Practical strategies to reduce conflicts and improve road safety

Throughout 2024, we expanded the program’s reach by hosting workshops across the state and virtually, making the course more accessible than ever. We also strengthened collaborations with local organizations and redesigned our presentation materials to enhance the learning experience.

One of our most impactful partnerships has been with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS). Over the past year, Oliver Sendall, BWNC’s Program Manager, and our team have collaborated with Driver’s Education classes to equip young drivers with the essential knowledge to safely navigate around bicyclists and pedestrians.

“We have been scheduling Oliver and his team from BikeWalkNC for approximately a year now.” said Charlie Jarman, WS/FCS Driver’s Education Coordinator. “They have a very professional and informative, approximately one-hour presentation that the students seem to enjoy, and it keeps them engaged. They spend about thirty minutes on things bicyclists are supposed to do, and how drivers can make the roads safer for them. They also cover the same safety information for pedestrians. This complements what our teachers are covering. They cover some things that are not in our textbook or handbook. After their presentation they have plenty of time for questions from the students. This will definitely help make the roads safer for everyone.”

Community members have also seen the program’s value firsthand. Joey Lawson, a WS/FCS Driver’s Education Instructor and local cyclist, shared: “BikeWalk NC engages with the students in a very professional and positive manner. As an avid cyclist, I have seen how this program benefits both drivers and those of us who ride. Moving forward, I hope WS/FCS continues this partnership with BikeWalk NC.”

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to bring the Friendly Driver Program to even more communities. With your support, we can continue to educate drivers, prevent crashes, and make North Carolina’s roads safer for everyone.

Interested in hosting or attending a Friendly Driver Program session?
Contact us at programs@BikeWalkNC.org.