A Grassroots Push for Safer, Healthier Transportation in Bisbee and Naco

This project is a grassroots effort to build safe, people-centered transportation in rural southeastern Arizona. Led by a small nonprofit, we’re challenging outdated systems and car-dominated infrastructure to create safer alternatives for everyone.

Why It Matters
Bisbee, AZ, is a historic town of just over 5,000 people spread across three districts and 10 neighborhoods. These areas are divided by rugged terrain and connected only by high-speed highways—often with 45–65 mph traffic—making walking or biking unsafe for residents and the 200,000+ tourists who visit each year.

One of the most dangerous sections is along State Route 80 at the Lavender Pit, where there’s no safe space for cyclists or pedestrians. Tragic accidents have occurred here, including the 2021 death of local cyclist and author Sergio Lalii, and numerous others with serious injuries.

The Bigger Picture
This isn't just about infrastructure. Bisbee and nearby Naco face high rates of poverty, single-parent households, and preventable health issues linked to inactivity. Children don’t feel safe walking or biking to school, contributing to rising physical and mental health concerns. In adults, chronic diseases like heart disease—Bisbee’s leading cause of death—are worsened by lack of safe access to active transportation.

The Vision
We’re creating a connected network of shared-use paths for walking, biking, skating, and wheelchair access. These safe routes will link Bisbee and Naco neighborhoods to schools, parks, businesses, and public services—benefiting locals and visitors alike.

This project also supports the larger vision of the Sun Corridor Trail, a long-distance route connecting Las Vegas, NV, to Douglas, AZ. By building our local segment, we contribute to a statewide trail system that will expand recreation and economic opportunities across Arizona.

This system will:

• Improve public health through active transportation
• Support eco-tourism and economic growth
• Reduce car dependency and air pollution
• Align with goals in the Bisbee General and Transportation Plans

We believe a better-connected Bisbee–Naco region is a healthier, more vibrant, and more resilient place to live, work, and visit.