This course offers city planners, civil and transportation engineers, landscape architects, urban designers, and policymakers a unique opportunity to engage with the latest strategies and priorities in trail development and active transportation advocacy. Featuring insights from leading advocacy organizations, including Rails to Trails Conservancy, the League of American Bicyclists, Activate SA, and the International Mountain Biking Association, the course presents mini-sessions with executive directors, CEOs, and presidents who are driving transformative change in communities nationwide. These sessions highlight innovative approaches to building connected trail systems, securing federal and state funding, promoting equity and inclusion, and modernizing trail infrastructure to meet diverse community needs. Following the presentations, there was a dynamic Q&A with these influential leaders, fostering direct dialogue on how to implement sustainable, equitable, and impactful active transportation solutions in their own communities.

Much progress in advancing trails and active transportation relies on the work of advocacy organizations and their current priorities. By exploring case studies like the Trail Nation Playbook, the Great American Rail Trail, and local initiatives such as San Antonio’s 2022 bond projects, participants will gain practical tools to plan and advocate for interconnected trail networks that enhance mobility, accessibility, and community well-being. The course emphasizes the importance of collaboration across disciplines to create safer, more inclusive infrastructure for biking, walking, and other forms of active transportation, ensuring that urban and rural environments alike are connected and accessible to all.

Learning Objectives

1. Develop Strategies for Connected Trail Systems: Apply principles from advocacy organizations to plan and implement interconnected trail networks that enhance mobility and accessibility, drawing on examples like the Trail Nation initiative and the Great American Rail Trail.
2. Advocate for Funding and Policy Support: Identify and pursue federal, state, and local funding opportunities for trails and active transportation, leveraging strategies such as trail caucuses and infrastructure bills to secure resources.
3. Promote Equity and Inclusion in Trail Development: Design trail systems that address disparities in access, ensuring equitable benefits for diverse populations, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, and underserved communities.
4. Integrate Modern Trail Design Principles: Incorporate innovative planning and design techniques to modernize trail systems, reducing user conflicts and enhancing experiences for diverse groups, such as hikers, cyclists, and equestrian users.
5. Foster Community Engagement and Collaboration: Utilize community-driven advocacy approaches, such as those demonstrated by Activate SA, to build consensus and incorporate stakeholder feedback into trail and active transportation projects.