In Maryland, planning has already begun for Walktober 2023, a month-long celebration of Maryland’s official state exercise, and promises an exciting lineup of events and speakers.
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, as designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
The Governor’s administration wants to transform our transportation system and provide Marylanders with accessible, equitable, and sustainable options across the state – including walking and biking – ensuring we “connect all Marylanders to life’s opportunities and no one is left behind.”
To heighten awareness and educate residents about the importance of walking and walkability, throughout October, Maryland state agency partners including the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), MDOT’s State Highway Administration (SHA) and Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and non-profit partners America Walks and AARP, will share information and resources.
This year, there will be four Walkinars on important topics, including National and State Perspectives, Infrastructure Safety, Maryland Pedestrian Safety Initiatives, and Pedestrian Equity. Walkinars are a series of informational webinars hosted by MDP and are free and open to all. For planning professionals with AICP (America Institute of Certified Planners) certification, Walkinars also provide 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits.[2]
Registration is free and now open!
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
October 5, 2023
Walkinar #1 – National and State Perspectives
Presenter: Mike McGinn – Executive Director, America Walks
Presentation: Walkability Trends
About: Mike McGinn
Presenter: Mike Watson – Director, Livable Communities – AARP
Presentation: Livable communities and the role of pedestrian infrastructure and access
About: Mike Watson
October 12, 2023
Walkinar #2 – Infrastructure and Safety
Presenter: Edward Erfurt – Director of Community Action, Strong Towns
Presentation: Strong Towns 
About: Edward Erfurt
Presenter: Wesley Mitchell, PE – Senior Vice President, WSP USA
Presenter: Kathryn Hendley, AICP – Lead Transportation Planner, WSP USA
Presentation: Druid Park Lake Drive Complete Streets Feasibility Study
About Wesley Mitchell and Kathryn Hendley
October 19, 2023
Walkinar #3 – Maryland’s Pedestrian Safety Initiatives
Presenter: Molly Porter, AICP – Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, MDOT State Highway Administration
Presentation: Vision Zero
About Molly Porter
Presenter: Douglas (Doug) Mowbray – Data Program Manager, Maryland Highway Safety Office
Presentation: Fatal Crash Dashboard
About Douglas (Doug) Mowbray
Presenter: Chester Harvey – Director, Transportation Policy Research Group, National Center for Smart Growth
Presentation: Walkable Urban Design
About Chester Harvey
October 26, 2023
Walkinar #4 – Pedestrian Equity
Presenter: Michael Rodriguez, AICP – Director of Research, Smart Growth America
Presentation: Dangerous by Design
About Michael Rodriguez
Presenter: Matt Johnson, AICP – Bikeways Coordinator, Montgomery County Department of Transportation
Presenter: Charles L. Marohn, Jr., Founder and President of Strong Towns, Author
Presentation: Montgomery County Roadways
About Matt Johnson and Charles L. Marohn, Jr
