The problem 🚲

Kansas City ranked No. 137 out of 150 cities in “2021’s Best Cities for Living Without a Car” survey by LawnStarter — and Overland Park was even lower at No. 144. KC scored below 100 in all categories:

Access: No. 129 — The number of routes + rental availability.
Commuting: No. 124 — The share of residents who bike, walk, or use public transit.
Safety: No. 114 — Crime rates + pedestrian fatalities per capita.
Climate: No. 133 — Pedestrian-limiting factors, like extreme temperatures + air quality.

The solutions 🚲

Kansas City launched the KCMO Vision Zero Initiative in 2021. The goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2030 and increase mobility and safety for everyone.

You can participate in Vision Zero. This survey asks for safety ideas, feedback, and suggestions for focusing resources — including bicycle infrastructure. You can also make suggestions on this interactive map.

The KC Downtown Neighborhood Association is also advocating for better infrastructure. Planning and Development Committee Chair Derek Hoetmer said they want to make Grand Avenue “the premier urban boulevard” of Kansas City by building a 2-way cycle track from I-670 to the River Market-Berkley Riverfront viaduct. That’s in addition to wider sidewalks, more trees, and bike racks.

Zooming out, The Mid-America Regional Council — which serves the 9-county metro area — has a Bike-Ped Advisory Committee. The group seeks to increase bicycle + pedestrian transportation. They meet in the MARC offices — 600 Broadway, Suite 200, KCMO — and are open to the public. See their calendar, here.

Pro Tip: Wed., Sept. 22 is World Car Free Day. Use this metro bike route map to plan your 2-wheeled commute.

#MUSTDO

Today

The Doobie Brothers | Tues., Sept. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Starlight Theatre | $39+ | The 50th anniversary tour featuring special guest The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. 🎸
Royals vs. Athletics | Tues., Sept. 14 | 7:10 p.m. | Kauffman Stadium | $10+ | Royals for a Cause - Autism Night theme tickets + the start of a 6-game homestand. ⚾

Wednesday

Jammin’ on the Green with Hot Club KC | Wed., Sept. 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, KS | Free | 1920s acoustic jazz with light refreshments + lanterns. 🎵

Thursday

Kansas City Underground Film Festival | Thurs., Sept. 16-Sun., Sept. 26 | Times vary | Charlotte Street Foundation, 3333 Charlotte St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Organized by the nonprofit Film Society KC with a mission to uplift underseen independent films. 🎬
American Royal Series of Barbecue | Thurs., Sept. 16-Sat., Sept. 18 | Times vary | Kansas Speedway | $8+ | The largest BBQ contest in the world raising money to support youth and education in agriculture. 🍽️

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR MONTH

NEWS NOTES

Weather

81º | Scattered thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain
Despite all the pumpkin spice, temperatures aren’t expected to fall anytime soon. The National Weather Service stated highs in KC will remain in the mid- to upper-80s — almost 10 degrees warmer than average — through Sept. 22. 🌡️

Biz

Glenwood Arts Theater will reopen on Friday, Sept. 17, after remaining closed for a year and a half during the pandemic. The community theater — 3707 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS — shows independent + local films. Showings are posted on their Facebook page. (KSHB)

Sports

Patrick Mahomes set another NFL record in the home opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Chiefs QB1 surpassed Kurt Warner’s record for most passing yards through 50 career starts. Warner’s record — 14,372 — stood for more than 20 years. Mahomes now has 14,489 yards in just 47 games. 🏈 (FOX4)
Chiefs’ star safety Tyrann Mathieu will be back in action next week against the Baltimore Ravens. Mathieu was out on the reserve/COVID-19 list all week leading up to the Browns game. The defensive leader returns to face top-rated Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. (Kansas City Star)
Royals’ Andrew Benintendi is the American League Player of the Week for Sept. 6-12. The slugger batted .500 and hit 3 home runs that week, racking up 14 RBIs. It’s Benintendi’s first Player of the Week award, following Salvador Perez just 3 weeks prior.

Edu

Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library,” which supplies free books to young children, is expanding across all of Kansas. The library's goal is to inspire a love of reading by gifting books to children 5 years old and younger. Parton launched the program in 1995. 📚 (KSHB)
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has gifted UMKC $300,000 to study small urban businesses in Kansas City. The University’s Center for Neighborhoods will take 3 years to research opportunities and challenges that face Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Leaders hope the results will help rebuild urban neighborhoods.

Civic

Crown Center is hosting an art exhibit that pays tribute to COVID-19 victims in Missouri. The Rose River Memorial is a collection of 10,000 felt roses hanging from the ceiling. The display — by the Girl Scouts, ScrapsKC, and Crown Center — will be up through Oct. 21. (KCTV)

Development

Demolition crews are getting to work north of 4th Street and Washington Street in preparation for the new Buck O’Neil Bridge. The Missouri Department of Transportation stated archeologists have already worked to salvage any historic material — like remnants of a 1909 firework factory. The building demolitions are not expected to affect traffic. 🚧

Seasonal

The Pitch is hosting a “Love Local” fall scavenger hunt. Teams of 1-4 can sign up to participate Sept. 17-19. Groups will go around the city to solve clues and take pictures. The team that solves the most clues and challenges will win $500. It costs $20 per group to participate.

Finance

Score an easy $200 bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months with this no annual fee cashback card. (That's like getting 40% cashback on your first $500 spent.) After that, keep racking up rewards with unlimited 1.5% cashback on every purchase. Ⓟ