June Active Transportation Webinar Round-Up

May 22, 2020

Graphic icon of computer screen with a bicycle front and center.

Explore our round-up of webinars coming up in June highlighting the latest road safety trends and best practices in planning and designing safe spaces for walking, biking, scooting, and rolling! Have a webinar you'd like us to share? Please submit webinar details here.

June 1, 2020 

How Much Will COVID-19 Affect Travel Behavior

Transportation Research Board
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT | Register

With COVID-19 disrupting daily routines and norms for people globally, the TRB will be exploring the extent to which American travel will return to pre-COVID times. The webinar will discuss these concerns through a University of Illinois at Chicago survey that was recently completed. Four presenters will be going over the four following topics:

  • Abolfazl Mohammadian (University of Illinois at Chicago) -- COVID-19's effect on transportation behaviors
  • Ali Shamshiripour, Ehsan Rahimi, Ramin Shabanpour (University of Illinois at Chicago) -- Chicago COVID-19 survey results
  • Abolfazl Mohammadian -- Post-COVID-19 America
  • Q&A moderated by Joshua Auld (US Dept of Energy Argonne National Laboratory)

June 2, 2020 

Traffic Trends and Safety in a COVID-19 World

Transportation Research Board
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT | Register

Through the days of COVID-19, there has been a decrease in overall traffic volumes and crash-related injuries and fatalities. The impacts of COVID-19 on traffic safety comes with its own set of nuances that will be explored during this webinar. Presenters will discuss how COVID-19 has affected traffic safety and what traffic management lessons have been learned. Presenters include Daniel Carter (NCDOT), Mena Lockwood and Sanhita Lahiri (VDOT), and Fraser Shilling (UC Davis).  

Leveraging Outdoor Recreation to Revitalize Rural Economies

American Trails
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT | Register

American Trails is a nonprofit organization working for the interests of all trails -- including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding -- through the United States. The mission of American Trails is to "sustainable development of communities by advancing and promoting the development, preservation, and enjoyment of diverse, high quality trails and greenways." They support local, regional, and long-distance trails and greenways through all regions of the US, whether it be rural or urban. 

In an effort to revitalize rural economies, this webinar will be exploring how outdoor recreation can be leveraged. Rural communities, land managers, agencies, and counties are envisioning main street revitalization, contributing to stewardship of public lands, and creating new economic opportunities through the implementation of outdoor recreating. This webinar is presented by Stephanie Bertaina (EPA Office of Community Revitalizatoin), Garrett Villanueva (USDA Forest Service), and Elyse Peters (United Way of Central Alabama).  

Findings From 15 Years of Travel Surveys at Portland TODs

Transportation Research and Education Center, Portland State University
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | Register

Join speakers Jennifer Dill and Nathan McNeil for a webinar discussing the survey of 50 TOD's conducted over the course of 15 years. The survey results allow for a better understanding of actual transit use of residents in the TOD's.  

June 3, 2020 

In Praise of Walking - A New Scientific Exploration

American Walks
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT | Register

This webinar is a conversation with author and neuroscientist Shane O'Mara on his new book "In Praise of Walking: A New Scientific Exploration." O'Mara leads readers through an evolutionary narrative on how humans started walking, the mechanics of it, and how humans made their way around the world. In addition to this narrative, O'Mara discusses the ways in which walking is beneficial to our overall health, creativity, and can lead to policy change. 

June 4, 2020 

Developing and Delivering Pedestrian Safety Projects 

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT | Register

State DOT and local agencies will discuss both independent and joint efforts to improve pedestrian safety and strategies to deliver projects. There will be an emphasis on the FHWA's Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program, which is a valuable resource that promotes proven, cost-effective countermeasures to improve pedestrian safety. Some of the topics explored will include location identification, countermeasure selection, and project implementation. Join speakers Brian Mayhew (NCDOT) and Jed Niffenegger (City of Raleigh Transportation Department) for this webinar. 

Strategies for Strong Virtual Communication 

Kittelson & Associates
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM PT | Register

Kittelson & Associates tackle transportation challenges through planning, operations, design, and research. Their mission is to create an environment where "transportation experts can collaborate through meaningful work, empower their communities, and grow as individuals."

Virtual communication has become crucial in recent times. With this in mind, Steve Rhyne and Susan Mah of Kittelson & Associates have prepared a quick presentation on the principles of visual communication for public outreach, specifically in transportation planning and engineering. They will go over leading with goals and strategy, selecting an effective and equitable medium, and communicating projects with integrity and balance. Join the webinar for these key lessons that will remain relevant when in-person events resume once again. 

June 5, 2020 

Strategies to Promote Walking and Bicycling as Cities Reopen

Children & Nature Network
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | Register
The Children & Nature Network works to increase equitable access to nature for children for their health and development. They invest in leadership and communities through sharing evidence-based resources, scaling innovative solutions, and driving policy change. 
The ongoing Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative is continuing to advocate for children's access to nature and outdoor spaces through webinars. In this webinar, city leaders from Duluth, Kansas City, Madison, and Saint Paul will be discussing policy approaches they have taken to promote walking and bicycling while maintaining safe social distancing practices as cities have begun to reopen. There will be an emphasis on equity and community engagement techniques that inform these walk bike policies. 

June 9, 2020 

Nature's Role in Supporting Children's Health and Wellbeing During COVID-19 and Beyond

Children & Nature Network
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT | Register

The Children & Nature Network works to increase equitable access to nature for children for their health and development. They invest in leadership and communities through sharing evidence-based resources, scaling innovative solutions, and driving policy change. 

Many families lack access to nature and a safe open space during the time of COVID-19. This webinar will be discussing emerging research and practices on incorporating nature into public health and community development strategies during social distancing and beyond. Dr. Danette Glassy (Mercer Island Pediatrics, Seattle) will be moderating a panel including Dr. Hanaa Hamdi (Health Impact Investment Strategies and Partnerships, New Jersey Community Capital) and Dr. Nooshin Razzani (Center for Nature and Health, UCSF). 

June 10, 2020 

Enhancing Walkable Spaces through Public Art

America Walks
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | Register

Walking should be a relaxing experience to immerse yourself in your neighborhood. In this webinar, America Walks will be discussed the influence of public art in enhancing the walking experience. Public art can help to revitalize a neighborhood while promoting walkable spaces.

Making Space: Biking Out of a Pandemic

Share the Road Bicycle Coalition and The Centre for Active Transportation
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | Register

Join Alta's Jessica Roberts and Kate Whitfield in a discussion about how travel behavior has changed in response to the pandemic. They will be exploring how sustainable travel modes can continue during these tumultuous times. Look out for more information and registration on their website. 

June 11, 2020 

Gatehouses and Greenways: Interactive Community Engagement for Trails

American Trails
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT | Register

American Trails is a nonprofit organization working for the interests of all trails -- including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding -- through the United States. The mission of American Trails is to "sustainable development of communities by advancing and promoting the development, preservation, and enjoyment of diverse, high quality trails and greenways." They support local, regional, and long-distance trails and greenways through all regions of the US, whether it be rural or urban. 

This webinar is in coordination with the California State Parks and the California Trails Conference Foundation as part of the Advancing Trails webinar series. It will be exploring ideas and solutions for project implementation through creative coalitions and engagement activities. Presenters will include Mikey Goralnik (Mariposa County Planning Department) and Andrew Dawson (WRT Design).

June 17, 2020 

Taking Steps Toward Measuring the Pedestrian Environment

Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PT | Register

APBP is an organization of ped bike professionals working to create more walkable and bikeable places. They foster peer knowledge sharing, advance technical expertise, and support the professional development of their members. Their goals include leadership in advancing active and healthy communities.

Find out more on their site.

June 18, 2020 

Cities Managing Speed for Safety: Learning from Seattle and Minneapolis

Vision Zero Network
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | Register

Vision Zero is the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. It is the idea that traffic deaths are preventable through a systems based approach. Speed management is one of the cornerstones of vision zero, where 5 miles an hour can mean a life or death difference. In this webinar, Vision Zero Network will be going over speed managing strategies that Seattle and Minneapolis have put in place in their communities. 

June 25, 2020 

Accommodating Bicyclists and Pedestrians in Construction Areas

Institute of Transportation Engineers
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | Register

Often times, pedestrians and bicyclists are left to fend for themselves when construction zones encroach on bike lanes and sidewalks. This webinar will be discussing practices that agencies are beginning to implement to ensure that access and connectivity is maintained for all road users. Speakers will be discussing strategies such as minimizing detours, trading off vehicle lanes for pedestrians and bicyclists, and more that have been implemented through policies, plans, and practice. Join speakers Dongho Chang (Seattle DOT), Ryan McClain (Fehr & Peers), and Roque Epinosa (Phoenix Traffic Services Division). 

June 29, 2020 

A Research Roadmap for Transportation and Public Health

Transportation Resarch Board
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | Register

A better understanding of the intersection of public health and transportation is important to reinforce positive health outcomes. In this effort, TRB will discuss how to leverage transportation projects as a component of public health. Ideas explored in this webinar are based on the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Research Report 932.

This webinar will be led by Laura Sandt of UNC Highway Research Center followed by a Q&A session led by Andrew Dannenberg. 

June 30, 2020 

Outdoor Recreation and Rural Community Development in California 

American Trails
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT | Register

American Trails is a nonprofit organization working for the interests of all trails -- including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding -- through the United States. The mission of American Trails is to "sustainable development of communities by advancing and promoting the development, preservation, and enjoyment of diverse, high quality trails and greenways." They support local, regional, and long-distance trails and greenways through all regions of the US, whether it be rural or urban. 

This webinar will be exploring the dynamics with state and local stakeholders in government, business, and nonprofit who work in rural communities on outdoor recreation. Join independent researchers Aaron Wilcher and Fran Doherty as they summarize the main findings from various interviews that have been conducted.