In the Beginning... How We Got Started:
It all started when a small group of parents decided they wanted to make the streets of Cambridge safer for their children to walk and bike to school.
In March, 2006 Walk/Ride Days began in four Cambridge schools. They caught on like wildfire!
Participation grew quickly from a handful of schools, to over 20 public and private schools in Cambridge, and soon after, many retail sponsors and coordinators.
After being awarded the Go Green Business Award and the Golden Shoe Award, in 2006, Green Streets just kept 
growing (see our "In the News" category for details).
Before we knew it, we had both Somerville, Massachusetts and Medford, Massachusetts, on board as Green Street's Communities.
Both of these cities run their Walk/Ride Days a little differently from the Cambridge model. In Cambridge we have a passionate and ambitious community member who took the reigns of the Green Streets growth. We cannot thank Janie Katz-Christy enough for her on-going work!
However, Green Streets can fit into communities in all sorts of different ways. It should fit with whatever resources and people want to take on the job.
In Somerville, Green Streets is coordinated by Nicole Rioles of Shape up Somerville. Shape up Somerville is a city-wide campaign to increase daily physical activity and healthy eating. Nicole sees the Green Street's Walk/Ride Days, and the Shape up Somerville goals, as a wonderful complement to one another.
In Medford, Green Street's efforts are headed by Mary Sbuttoni of the Medford Chamber of Commerce. Mary loves the idea of promoting "green" business throughout Medford.
So, after beginning in the spring of 2006, in a few small schools, Green Streets has grown from one city to 3. We now encompass over 40 retail sponsors and have 100's of coordinators in businesses and schools. We are spreading into Boston, and we Green Streets has even been kicked off in the city of Portland, Maine. Check out their website here: http://portlandgreenstreets.org/. 
Wow, How Did it All Happen?
Part of Green Streets' success has been in being a small, but repeating commitment. Even if people don't participate the first month, often they do the next. Many people have thanked us for encouraging them to do something they'd been meaning to do, and something about which they are proud.
People of all ages and situations seem to enjoy it, look forward to it, and feel proud of their involvement!
The Green Streets Initiative has been a truly grassroots effort. Almost all of our participation has happened through word of mouth. That is, citizens in the Cambridge/Boston area, spreading the word throughout their own workplaces, schools, and other institutions.
Additionally, we cannot underestimate the essential role that Janie Katz-Christy, Green Streets Initiative's Director has played in the founding and spread of Walk/Ride Days. It is Janie's dedication, passion, vision, and persistence that have catapulted Green Street's into the public eye and spread a "green" vision across the state.
Now, as the Green Street's Initiative moves into a new phase of life we hope to foster that "green" vision, and encourage communities everywhere to pick up our model. Part of our mission at Green Streets is to help others begin to take their communities into their own hands.
And we say... if we could do it, so can you! Please visit our Start Green Streets In Your Own Community page, for more information.
