Young people are being invited to join a scheme to improve road safety and promote greener transport in the West Midlands.
The CityShift Road Safety Ambassadors Programme is looking for 18-25-year-olds from Birmingham with an interest in improving road safety to help shape transport plans and policies.
The new programme comes at an important time: road traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for young people worldwide, and in the West Midlands under 25s make up around 36% of those killed or seriously injured on the roads.
In Birmingham, nearly 4 in 10 residents are in this age group.
Running over ten months until December 2026 with a combination of online learning and in-person workshops, the programme will train 25 young people to become CityShift Ambassadors, building new skills while being asked for advice on travel and transport initiatives in their city.
This project, from Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in partnership with YOURS – Youth for Road Safety with the aim of improving how young people travel about their city – with a primary focus on road safety.
“CityShift is a powerful example of how cities can incorporate youth vision into policies and strategies. Through this initiative, young people are not only sharing their experiences but also contributing to recommendations that can influence local strategies and shape the future of mobility in the West Midlands, bringing sustainability and effectiveness to the city’s investments,” said Raquel Barrios, Executive Director, YOURS
The aim is to strengthen the role of young people in developing, designing and improving the city’s streets. A Youth Action Roadmap for Road Safety, providing recommendations for local authorities and decision-makers, will also be developed.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) Director said: “Through City Shift we will make sure the voice of young people is heard as we design and develop new transport schemes across Birmingham. The new Ambassadors will get the opportunity to share their experiences and shape their communities while learning new leadership skills along the way.”
The programme is flexible, allowing participants to balance the work, study and other commitments while developing leadership skills and making a difference to their communities.
Applications are now open. No previous experience is required – just an interest in safer streets.
The deadline to apply is 26 April 2026.
Applications can be submitted here
Notes to editors
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, works to create a more connected, fairer, greener and healthier region through inclusive and sustainable transport. YOURS – Youth for Road Safety is a global youth-led organisation working to support meaningful youth engagement in safe and sustainable mobility.