For the first time ever, the Maryland Department of Transportation is hosting Walktober. Throughout the month of October, we will be recognizing Maryland’s official state exercise, Walking!
“Walking is an activity that many of us take for granted. But as pedestrian accident rates continue to rise and access to safe pedestrian spaces is diminished, communities are recognizing that walking — and improving the walkability of our neighborhoods — requires public attention and action.
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.
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.” - Maryland Department of Transportation
See below for the list of webinars left. All webinars will be on Thursdays from 9:30-11 a.m. and are free to register to. Register for any of the webinars here.
Pedestrian Infrastructure, Safety, and Health
Thursday, October 15th
MDOT Secretary will kick off the second webinar in our series of four with a brief introduction, followed by this week’s featured speakers Jeff Dunckel, Nacole S. Smith and Kandese Holford who will examine trends in pedestrian safety in Maryland. They will discuss the major efforts underway across the state to recognize the importance of walking and walkability and explain how improving pedestrian connectivity supports public health and safety.
New Trends and Technologies to Support Walkability and Walking
Thursday, October 22nd
The third of four in our series for Walktober, will begin with a brief introduction from MDOT Secretary Greg Slater and will feature special guests Hank Greenberg, Anat Caspi, Victor Rodriguez and Dan Hudson who will identify several recent technical innovations and tools that help local communities identify pedestrian-accessible routes, facilitate pedestrian partnerships and support walk equity.
Maryland Community Walk Initiatives “Walking the Walk of Maryland’s Pedestrian Agenda”
Thursday, October 29th
This fourth and final Walktober webinar includes welcome remarks from MDOT Secretary Greg Slater and session will share information about the many local walk initiatives in Maryland, how they function and how other communities can learn from their successes. Cara Rozaieski, Tracey Greene Gordy, Sandra Brecher and Chris Eatough will also share what local communities are doing to inspire new thinking and action and get more people walking in Maryland.
