The workshops, sponsored in collaboration with One Voice For Livable Islands, a community-based network are titled "Creating Safe Communities Through Public Involvement" and are scheduled on Nov. 3 and Nov. 6 on O'ahu.

The state also is joining with Get Fit Kaua'i and Kaua'i Path to offer a workshop on Nov. 5 on Kaua'i.

Members of One Voice For Livable Islands include AARP Hawai'i, American Heart Association, American Planning Association, Sierra Club Hawai'i Chapter, Hawai'i Bicycling League, Injury Prevention Advisory Committee, and the Maui Tobacco-Free Coalition.

Sponsors said the workshops are in response to continuing concern about the safety and accessibility of our streets for pedestrians and bicyclists, and the need to build an informed public process for making our transportation system better and safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and all road users.

"Public health is about encouraging people to be healthy and part of that is creating a safe environment that supports active lifestyles," said Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino.

Hawai'i is one of fourteen focus states with the highest pedestrian injuries, which makes it eligible to host these collaborative workshops. Charlie Zegeer, associate director of the University of North Carolina, Highway Safety Research Center, and director of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, and Peter Lagerwey, senior planner for the city of Seattle and a nationally recognized expert in bicycle and pedestrian safety, will facilitate the one-day workshops.

The workshops goal is to bring together pedestrian and bicycle advocates, health professionals, planners, engineers and government officials to learn about models and strategies for achieving public involvement. State Department of Transportation officials will also participate in the workshops.