The 2022 Walktober Walkinar series kicks off with a look at national efforts on pedestrian safety, where things stand, and how the country is moving forward.

The series begins with the Honorable Thomas B. Chapman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) who will highlight the NTSB most wanted highway safety improvement items. Specifically, he will highlight the importance of the safe system approach to traffic safety in protecting vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

Next, Mike McGinn of America Walks will outline the current state of the walkability movement and the opportunities presented by new infrastructure funding available at the federal level, as well as how advocates can work with state and local officials to lay the groundwork for new investments in walkability and accessibility.

Finally, surveys by AARP show that brisk walking, walking for exercise, and walking for leisure are among the most common activities engaged in by adults in all age groups. Laura Mehegan of AARP will share data and trends from these surveys, which show that one in five adults say they are engaging in more vigorous walking than they were before the pandemic.

Throughout October, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), in coordination with a several state agencies and other partners, will sponsor a series of 90-minute webinars, or Walkinars, to highlight how we can collectively rally around walking, an activity that is both central to the state’s Active Transportation efforts and a critical component promoting public well-being.

In fact, walking is recognized as The State of Maryland’s Official State Exercise.

The Walktober Walkinar series, hosted by the Maryland Department of Planning, will help planners, local officials, pedestrian advocates and the public at large learn how to advocate for safe walking infrastructure. Panelists will identify key resources to build, strengthen and sustain local partnerships and share new tools and technologies being used across the country to identify and plan for pedestrian-accessible routes for all ages and abilities.

Webinars will take place every Thursday in October from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST. 

These Walkinars provide American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) with 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits to maintain their certification. Please note, to receive AICP credit you must attend the live broadcast.

Click here for previous Walkinars.