Walk/Bike/Places 2020
June 15–18, 2021
Indianapolis & Online
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The premier conference in North America for walking, bicycling, and placemaking professionals from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Since the event was founded in 1980, Walk/Bike/Places has focused on addressing the most important and challenging issues of the moment, and making the conference a place where diverse voices are heard, and leaving a positive legacy in our host city. 

While the event will be offered both in person and online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year will continue that tradition. This year’s theme is “The Route to Recovery,” and the program will give us an opportunity to explore how our streets and public spaces can act as agents of healing from the pandemic, as well as the many challenges and injustices that it magnified, like systemic inequities and our often deadly auto-oriented transportation systems.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Mindy Fullilove

Dr. Mindy Fullilove

We are excited to announce that social psychiatrist and urbanist Dr. Mindy Fullilove will deliver our keynote presentation this year!

Dr. Fullilove's well-known work as a social psychiatrist has explored trauma and healing in cities through books like Root Shock and Urban Alchemy, while her most recent book, Main Street: How a City's Heart Connects Us All, delves into the important social and psychological role that great commercial corridors can play in our communities.

Read our interview with Dr. Fullilove about trauma, healing, and main street.

Place

The streets, squares, corners, buildings, neighborhoods and locations that are special to us, and anchor a community. Placemaking, Tactical Urbanism, Parklets, Public Markets, Downtowns.

Planning

Setting the vision, goals, objectives and process for moving us towards a more just and sustainable society. Zoning, Land Use, Form-Based Code, Data, Modeling, Outreach, Public Engagement, Project Evaluation, Economic Development.

Transit

The management and operation of vehicles and infrastructure for the most efficient movement of people. Micro-mobility, Ride Hailing Apps, Bike Share, Transit Oriented Development, Multimodal Hubs, Congestion Pricing, Demand Management, BRT, First/Last Mile.

Health

Creating environments where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can lead healthy, happy and productive lives. Active Living, Injury Prevention, Environmental Justice, Education, Mental Well-Being, Social Capital, Friendships, Physical Health, Violence Prevention, Nutrition.

Infrastructure

The streets, sidewalks, multi-use trails, and information that moves us. Woonerfs, Shared Spaces, Traffic Calming, Bike Parking, Multi Use Trails, Sidewalks, Streets, Cycle Tracks, Bike Lanes, Advisory Bike Lanes, Rapid Implementation.

Excellence

Building the organizations and building the skills of those who will fiercely defend the public interest. Running for Office, Registering a Non-Profit, Ethics, Professional Responsibility, Strategic Planning, Campaigns, Budgeting, Fundraising.

Advocacy

Simply put: supporting a cause, and getting what we want. Funding, Referendums, Legislation, Public Policy.

Opening Plenary

Public Space and the Pandemic: Lessons in Access, Inclusion & Justice

Dr. Mindy Fullilove
Quemuel Arroyo (Moderator)
State of NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Dr. Mindy Fullilove
Joelle Galatan
Brandeis University
Dr. Mindy Fullilove
Juliette Rizzo
Pedestrian and Safe Streets Advocate, Former Ms. Wheelchair America
Dr. Mindy Fullilove
Warren Logan
City of Oakland

After a devastating year, the coronavirus pandemic finally appears to be on the decline in North America, and decision makers have turned their attention to the question of how we can “build back better.” But what does this mean for people with disabilities?

This panel brings together government officials, practitioners, and advocates to discuss how the pandemic has affected people with disabilities, and what the active transportation and placemaking fields can do to rebuild our public spaces to be more accessible, inclusive, and just.

Place

The streets, squares, corners, buildings, neighborhoods and locations that are special to us, and anchor a community. Placemaking, Tactical Urbanism, Parklets, Public Markets, Downtowns.

Planning

Setting the vision, goals, objectives and process for moving us towards a more just and sustainable society. Zoning, Land Use, Form-Based Code, Data, Modeling, Outreach, Public Engagement, Project Evaluation, Economic Development.

Transit

The management and operation of vehicles and infrastructure for the most efficient movement of people. Micro-mobility, Ride Hailing Apps, Bike Share, Transit Oriented Development, Multimodal Hubs, Congestion Pricing, Demand Management, BRT, First/Last Mile.

Health

Creating environments where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can lead healthy, happy and productive lives. Active Living, Injury Prevention, Environmental Justice, Education, Mental Well-Being, Social Capital, Friendships, Physical Health, Violence Prevention, Nutrition.

Infrastructure

The streets, sidewalks, multi-use trails, and information that moves us. Woonerfs, Shared Spaces, Traffic Calming, Bike Parking, Multi Use Trails, Sidewalks, Streets, Cycle Tracks, Bike Lanes, Advisory Bike Lanes, Rapid Implementation.

Excellence

Building the organizations and building the skills of those who will fiercely defend the public interest. Running for Office, Registering a Non-Profit, Ethics, Professional Responsibility, Strategic Planning, Campaigns, Budgeting, Fundraising.

Advocacy

Simply put: supporting a cause, and getting what we want. Funding, Referendums, Legislation, Public Policy.

Online & In-Person Program

In-Person Program (download)

Tuesday, June 15

Online General Session and Welcome
Late Morning
online Breakout Sessions & Mobile workshops
Afternoon
social event
Evening

Wednesday, June 16

plenary Live from Indy & Online Breakout sessions
Morning
online Breakout Sessions & Mobile workshops
Afternoon
social event
Evening

Thursday, June 17

online Breakout sessions & mobile workshops
Morning
online Breakout sessions & mobile workshops
Afternoon
social event
Evening

Friday, June 18

online Breakout sessions & closing keynote
Morning
online Breakout sessions
Afternoon

This program features 50+ online breakout sessions and short talks, as well as in-person mobile workshops and social events, all providing a glimpse into what active transportation professionals and advocates have learned over the past year, and how they plan to move forward now. This content will be available to all attendees virtually on the day and up to six months after the event.

If you join us in person, you will also be able to choose from a dozen mobile workshops throughout Indianapolis, Indiana, organized by our local partners at Big Car Collaborative. These in-depth tours and discussions will explore some of the city's most inspiring active transportation and placemaking projects, like the legendary Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

Finally, the conference will offer a selection of "sociably distant" networking events in some of the city's most beloved public spaces, like Monument Circle, as well as creative virtual gatherings for those attending online. Check out the full program!

Indianapolis

Indianapolis public space with biker

While the city is perhaps best known for the Indy 500, Indianapolis has been transforming itself over the past decade to celebrate other forms of transportation. 

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which melds transportation and placemaking, is the crown jewel of the city's downtown. The Trail, along with Indy's greenways, blueways, protected bike lanes, and bus rapid transit system, have lured employers, residents, and events such as ours to the city. Parks, markets, and other creative placemaking projects have also been important catalysts for the city's evolution.

There’s no better time than now to learn about how Indy is coping and rising to the challenges that this year has presented. Join us as we engage with this great American city, and meet our partners where they’re at to share and learn from each other.

Our Commitment to COVID-19 Safety

To ensure your safety and comfort if you decide to attend Walk/Bike/Places in person, all conference staff will be required to go through health screening procedures, and social distancing and mask wearing will be mandatory for all staff and attendees.

Perhaps even more importantly, most of the event will take place outdoors in small groups. Our indoor basecamp at the Indianapolis Convention Center, where we will spend a limited amount of time, also achieved a GBAC Star accreditation for its pandemic safety protocols.

Place

The streets, squares, corners, buildings, neighborhoods and locations that are special to us, and anchor a community. Placemaking, Tactical Urbanism, Parklets, Public Markets, Downtowns.

Planning

Setting the vision, goals, objectives and process for moving us towards a more just and sustainable society. Zoning, Land Use, Form-Based Code, Data, Modeling, Outreach, Public Engagement, Project Evaluation, Economic Development.

Transit

The management and operation of vehicles and infrastructure for the most efficient movement of people. Micro-mobility, Ride Hailing Apps, Bike Share, Transit Oriented Development, Multimodal Hubs, Congestion Pricing, Demand Management, BRT, First/Last Mile.

Health

Creating environments where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can lead healthy, happy and productive lives. Active Living, Injury Prevention, Environmental Justice, Education, Mental Well-Being, Social Capital, Friendships, Physical Health, Violence Prevention, Nutrition.

Infrastructure

The streets, sidewalks, multi-use trails, and information that moves us. Woonerfs, Shared Spaces, Traffic Calming, Bike Parking, Multi Use Trails, Sidewalks, Streets, Cycle Tracks, Bike Lanes, Advisory Bike Lanes, Rapid Implementation.

Excellence

Building the organizations and building the skills of those who will fiercely defend the public interest. Running for Office, Registering a Non-Profit, Ethics, Professional Responsibility, Strategic Planning, Campaigns, Budgeting, Fundraising.

Advocacy

Simply put: supporting a cause, and getting what we want. Funding, Referendums, Legislation, Public Policy.

Connect

If you have questions email the organizing team at program@walkbikeplaces.org

Photos courtesy Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Big Car, & Urban Indy
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