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Omaha, Nebraska

Mode Shift Omaha

Mode Shift Omaha (MSO) advocates for transportation equity to enhance quality of life and opportunities for everyone to live, work, and play. Critical are safer streets — from 2011 to 2020, 261 people were killed and 4,456 injured on Omaha’s streets. MSO works to see roadways designed for safety rather than speed, with every user in mind whether biking, walking, riding the bus or driving. Founded in 2011,their projects include Omaha Safe Crossings, a citizen-led look at problem intersections to make them safer for all ages and abilities who walk, bike, or use mobility aids; Transparency Campaign, to identify who determines transportation projects and how the public can be part of the process; and Sidewalk Snow Removal Campaign, to ensure that more people can walk safely in the winter. Through public education and engagement, influencing policies and decision-making on transportation and land use design, and monitoring transportation policies and plans, MSO is shifting Omaha’s transportation narrative. 

Mode Shift, a 501(c)3 grassroots organization, is fueled by a dedicated group of volunteers and an active board of directors. They are regularly invited to work with transportation-related groups, including the Bus Rapid Transit Stakeholder Committee, Complete Streets Task Force, and Metro Area Planning Agency’s Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. As well, they partner with local nonprofits like Omaha by Design, ProRail Nebraska, and Bike Walk Nebraska to raise awareness on transportation issues. Within their group, MSO’s Walkability Team enhances pedestrian infrastructure, hosts “Walk with Us” events, and advocates for sidewalk closure policies. Their Bike Team organizes bike valet parking at events, pushes for trail closure detours, and hosts bike rides and educational events, while the Transit Team promotes better transit, tracks state transportation bills, supports Regional Transit Authority legislation, and organizes “Ride the Bus with Us” events. A safer, healthier city is the ultimate goal. 

Mode Shift’s successful rally to save the Harney Street bikeway, the only protected bikeway in Omaha. photo by @RiverOmaha on X

Contact
Liz Veazey, Board Member
Climate impacts
Transit Noise Contamination
Strategies
Political activism, including protests, petitions, and lobbying, Community organizing and education, Legislation/policy reform
Environmental Justice Concerns
transit contamination/noise, access to safe streets & public transit
501c3 Tax Deductible
Yes
Accepting Donation
Yes