The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is partnering with agencies, nonprofits and communities across Maryland to host the second annual Walktober, a monthlong celebration with activities and virtual events promoting the state’s official exercise: walking. Walktober 2021 includes the seventh annual Walk Maryland Day on October 6, as well as several local events and an online webinar series focusing on pedestrian safety and health, and on walking as a
commuting option.
For many, walking is an important element of life for health, transportation and overall well-being. Walktober calls on all Marylanders to experience the many benefits of walking.
Maryland designated walking as the official state exercise in October 2008. As part of its focus on walkable communities and pedestrian safety, MDOT is hosting a website,
mdot.maryland.gov/walktober, with information about Walktober, Walk Maryland Day and statewide events, as well as registration for the
webinar series.
“MDOT is excited to serve as a central resource for Walktober and the annual Walk Maryland Day,” MDOT Secretary Greg Slater said. “MDOT strives to improve walkability within communities as a critical component of our transportation network. Events such as Walktober help us share ideas with experts, local officials and residents and explore ways we can work together to improve pedestrian safety and access across Maryland.”
Walk Maryland Day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, and Marylanders are encouraged to spend part of that day taking a walk. Walk leaders will host registered Walk Maryland Day events across the state, and all Marylanders are invited to register walks at locations of their choice, whether they walk alone or with others. Marylanders can become Walk Maryland Day “Sole Mates” by registering to join one of the official walks.
Everyone is also invited to sign up for the 90-minute webinars on walkability and walking – or “walkinars” – that will be held virtually 10:30 a.m. to noon October 7, 14, 21 and 28. The walkinar series features local, state, and national speakers. Panelists will share resources to help build, strengthen and sustain partnerships to encourage walking, and will discuss tools and technologies used here and across the country to promote pedestrian access and safety.
The series is open to all – from pedestrian enthusiasts and advocates to local residents, students, officials, and planners. The series provides American Institute of Certified Planners with 1.5 Certification Maintenance credits per session. Topics include:
- October 7, Taking Fresh Steps Toward a More Walk-Friendly Maryland: This session will focus on efforts at the national level to promote walkability. Panelists will discuss how infrastructure has evolved from an historical and technological perspective and the challenges facing pedestrians today. Panelists include Timothy Taylor of the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program;
Professor Peter Norton of the University of Virginia; and Anat Caspi of the University of Washington’s Transportation Data Equity Initiative.
- October 14, Walking Toward a Healthier Maryland: This webinar will highlight walking – for recreation or for transportation – as a core component of a healthful lifestyle, and how MDOT and partner agencies are working to provide safe and equitable access to healthful walking opportunities. Panelists include Michael B. Friedman of AARP; Dr. Olubukola Alonge of the Maryland Department of Health; and Dr. David Sabgir, founder
of Walk with a Doc.
- October 21, Pedestrian Safety: Trends, Measures and Solutions: This talk covers themes of planning, safety, equity and enforcement related to pedestrian access. Speakers will highlight planning and safety techniques to help measure and improve the quality of our infrastructure. Eli Glazier of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) will discuss efforts to calculate a “Pedestrian Level of
Comfort” in Montgomery County, and Kandese Holford of the MDOT State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will talk about efforts to ensure roadway design features reflect user needs and land-use contexts. Other speakers include Angie Schmitt, author of “Right of Way: Race, Class and the Silent Crisis of Pedestrian Deaths in America;” and Sgt. Tom Morehouse, Baltimore County Police Department.
- October 28, Great Partners and Creative Approaches for Promoting Safe Walk Opportunities: Panelists will discuss how community partners promote safe walking in cities as well as the suburbs, including grants from the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) Maryland Highway Safety Office that support the Made You Look and Look Alive campaigns around Baltimore. Catherine Sorensen will discuss the partnership between the
University of Maryland Extension and LiveWell Frederick to create Story Path, an initiative encouraging walk events for all ages; Quinton Batts and Vilde Ulset of the Maryland Institute College of Arts (MICA) will discuss the Made You Look program; and Kenna Swift will speak about the Signal Woman campaign offering pedestrian safety tips.
In addition to MDOT and the organizations noted above, partners in Walktober include the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Office of Tourism, the Maryland Department of Planning, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, America Walks, American Discovery Trail, Commuter Choice, Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, Sustainable Maryland, the Wilmington Area Planning Council, WTS
International, the Gaithersburg Germantown Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary of Kent Island and agencies and organizations in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Worcester counties.
