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Let's explore

Transportation Equity

Accessible - Easy for everyone to use or understand, even if they usually face challenges participating.

Carbon Emissions -Tiny particles released into the air when cars and machines burn fuel, trapping heat close to the Earth, changing our weather and environment.

Equity - Instead of treating everybody as if we are all the same, figuring out what each person needs, so those with more challenges can be as safe as those with fewer challenges.

Pollution – When we use resources (like fossil fuels or plastic bags), any leftover parts that don’t help the environment enter our air, water, and soil and hurt plants, animals, and people. 

Transportation - Ways we move around the planet, such as walking, biking, driving cars, or flying in planes.

SMASH THE KYRIARCHY

Why Act Now?

You may notice that some people can get around easily while others struggle to cross the street or reach the bus stop. it isn’t fair that travel isn't safe or easy for everyone.

Some of the ways we get around, like driving, cause more pollution than walking or bicycling. When this pollution gets into our water, soil, and air, it hurts plants, animals, and people.

When we learn about transportation equity, we’re learning how to make sure everyone—kids, elders, disabled folks, and all our friends—can safely and easily get to work, school, and the people they care for. Let's work together so everyone can get where they need to go!

On The Move Toward Justice

1. SPARK CURIOSITY

Learn

Learn how this issue impacts us and the people we care about.

2. ASK QUESTIONS

Ask

Who's willing to be open and honest with you about this issue?

3. SET INTENTIONS

Think

What activities help you ponder & create solutions?

4. CREATE CHANGE

Action

Which simple steps can kids like you make towards change?

STEP 1: 5 MINUTES

Get Curious: Pick A Story

Which stories and videos make you interested in learning more about this issue?

Ages 6 months to 3 years

On The Go

Board book for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers celebrating how kids use movement and mobility aids on the go.

Ages 1-5

Wheels on the Tuk Tuk

Sing-a-long following the adventures of a 3-wheeled taxi in India

Ages 1-5

I Really Want To See You, Grandma

Yumi and her grandmother keep missing each other - will they ever meet up?

Ages 2-4

Mama Car

The many ways a mixed disabled & enabled family gets around

Ages 4-8

Daughter of the Light-Footed People

The story of Indigenous (Rarámuri) marathon champion Lorena Ramírezultra

Ages 4-8

Born To Ride

Adults tell Louise riding bikes makes girls ugly but she breaks the rules and discovers freedom

Ages 5+

Quest for the Rainbow Bagel

Comedian Zach Anner brings us along as he ventures across New York City to obtain a rainbow bagel using a motorized wheelchair, facing a range of barriers.

Ages 4-8

Boycott Blues

Poem on the journey of civil rights activists fighting segregation in bus transportation

Ages 5-8

Ruth and the Green Book

The story of disability activist Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's bicycle journey across Ghana

Ages 5-8

Zoom!

Lauretta causes mayhem and saves the day in her super-powered wheelchair

Ages 5-8

Milo Imagines The World

Milo imagines where his fellow bus passengers are headed to

Ages 6-8

Pedal Power

Community activists turn Amsterdam from car-centric city into the world's bike capital

Ages 6-9

Walking In The City With Jane

The story of Jane Jacobs organizing neighborhood communities threatened by destruction for highways

Ages 8+

Driving While Asian

A character from the TV show 'Fresh off The Boat' experiences racial profiling, facing additional pressure to be the 'best' kind of driver - an experience people who don't face racial discrimination don't have to deal with.

Ages 6-11

Ruth And The Green Book

Ruth uses the Green Book to protect her family on a road trip during Jim Crow

Ages 8-12

The Red Bicycle

A hand-me-down bike creates opportunities for kids, farmers, mechanics, and healthcare providers.

Ages 12+

The Talk

Graphic novel on driving and walking in public as a Black man

STEP 2: 10 MINUTES

Ask Questions

Talk about this topic with an adult who you trust to be honest with you..

What...

What types of transportation do you use to visit friends?

To get to school?

To go shopping?

To visit the doctor?

Which...

Which types of transportation are easiest to use in your neighborhood?

Which types feel safest?

Which feel less safe for you?

Who...

Who has access to safe transportation in your neighborhood?

Who has less access to safe transportation?

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STEP 3: USE WHAT YOU HAVE

Get Creative

Flex your brain using what you've learned & discover what's within your control to change.

Ages 2-5

On The Move Coloring Book

This coloring book featuring many types of transportation can be printed in single sheets or as a full book.

Ages 5+

Take A Car-Free Trip

Go on an adventure to your school, park, or library using a different form of transportation than you're used to via Growing Sustainable Together.

Ages 5+

Create Transportation Art

Draw your favorite way to get around in bright, bold colors inspired by transportation artist Geraldo Gonzalez.

Ages 6+

Adventure Guide Mini Zine

Print & fold this mini zine to guide an adventure around your neighborhood, exploring the challenges and possibilities for getting around.

Ages 8-12

Explore Your Neighborhood

Evaluate your neighborhood's transit and accessibility and compare them to features compared your own experience, via Growing Sustainable Together.

Ages 10+

Explore Your Neighborhood

Learn how street design impacts the safety of walkers and rollers through the city in this activity book by Vision Zero.

IT'S STILL OKAY TO LAUGH

Hard conversations with humor & joy

Every month the Luminary Braintrust tackles a new member challenge to make talking about social justice easier in real life.

STEP 4: ASSESS YOUR CAPACITY

Step Into Your Power: Take Action

Whether it's time, money, or our voice - we all have something to contribute.

if you have $15

Reopen Reunification Ride

Reunification Ride funds bus trips for Chicago kids who can't otherwise make the long trip to visit their moms in in the prison system.

if you have 5 minutes

Chalk Your Walk

Spread the message on your sidewalk - everyone deserves access to safe transportation.

"Sidewalks Are For Every Body!"

"Build Ramps, Not Barriers!"

"Transit Justice is Disability Justice!"

If you have cool friends

Amplify & Boost

Share this toolkit with a friend who would appreciate your help tackling this challenge with their kids.

RAISING LUMINARIES

Raising Luminaries creates workshops, training, and educational resources for parents & caregivers igniting the next generation of kind & courageous leaders.

ABOUT | MISSION | FINANCIALS | ACCOUNTABILITY

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

STAY IN TOUCH

Get free weekly email notifications with toolkits, guides & little delights

FREE STUFF

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

SHOP

Posts may contain affiliate links and  sponsorships, which allow me to earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

AFFILIATE POLICY

PARTNERS IN CAHOOTS

TOPICS

CONTACT

RECIPROCATE

You’re welcome to share & boost this toolkit, with attribution to Raising Luminaries.

DIG DEEPER

Bonus Resources

Share what worked for your family (and what didn't).

Add the resources you suggest in the comments below to help families like yours.

ZINE GUIDE

Build Guerilla Infrastructure

The Tactical Urbanist's Guide features material lists instructions for pop-up bike lanes, parklets, and pedestrian plazas to show your city what's possible.

via Tactical Urbanist

Curriclum Guide

Teach Kids About Mutual Aid

Kids books, discussion questions & action steps exploring the fight for transit equity during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

via Raising Luminaries

WORKSHOP GUIDE

Craft Safe Routes To School

Host a 'Place It!' art workshop with hands-on activities to design more accessible routes to school.

via Safe Routes Partnership

ARTICLE & DESIGN GUIDE

10 Actions to Improve Streets For Kids

Share the Designing Streets for Kids with your local city planning department to make transit safer for babies, children, and caregivers.

via Gloabl Designing Cities Initiative

Stay Curious, Stand Brave & Smash The Kyriarchy

Shannon Brescher Shea, author of 'Growing Sustainable Together' is a climate justice activist, science communicator, and parent.

Reciprocate & Contribute

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RAISING LUMINARIES

Raising Luminaries creates workshops, training, and educational resources for parents & caregivers igniting the next generation of kind & courageous leaders.

ABOUT | MISSION | FINANCIALS | ACCOUNTABILITY

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

STAY IN TOUCH

Get free weekly email notifications with toolkits, guides & little delights

FREE STUFF

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

SHOP

Posts may contain affiliate links and  sponsorships, which allow me to earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

AFFILIATE POLICY

PARTNERS IN CAHOOTS

TOPICS

CONTACT

RECIPROCATE

You’re welcome to share & boost this toolkit, with attribution to Raising Luminaries.

Raising Luminaries is anchored in the land of the Wampanoag & Massachusett People.
Support Wôpanâak early childhood education here.

©2025 Ashia Ray of Raising Luminaries™. All rights reserved.

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Photographs via Unsplash & Illustrations via Storyset, used with permission.

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