October 22-23, 2025 at the UC Davis Conference Center
The California Active Transportation Program Symposium is a two-day event co-hosted by the California Transportation Commission and Caltrans with support from the Active Transportation Resource Center. The Symposium brings together local, regional, state, and Tribal governments to learn, share knowledge, and network with other agency staff, planners, engineers, public health professionals, and active transportation champions implementing active transportation projects. This two-day event will include inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, breakout sessions, and opportunities to connect with partners to further your work. The 2025 event will be the first in-person symposium since 2019, with the 2021 event held virtually.
Early Bird: $50 (through August 31, 2025)
Standard: $75 (September 1 – October 14, 2025)
Registration includes:
Access to the keynote and plenary sessions, concurrent breakouts and workshops, light breakfast, refreshment breaks, and lunch on both days.
Note: Caltrans employees should not register individually through Eventbrite at this time. Please email Ali Doerr Westbrook ([email protected]) with your interest.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Optional Pre-Symposium Tours and Training (see Additional Activities tab)
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
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8:30 am - Registration and Breakfast
Breakfast will be available in the lobby.
9:30 am - Welcome and Opening Remarks
Opening remarks will be shared to welcome attendees to the 2025 Active Transportation Program Symposium.
Presenters:
Alissa Kendall, Director, Institute of Transportation Studies, and Ray B. Krone Endowed Professor of Environmental Engineering, UC Davis
Darnell Grisby, Chair, California Transportation Commission
Tanisha Taylor, Executive Director, California Transportation Commission
Location: Ballroom
10:00 am - Keynote - Safety and the Safe Systems Approach
Description coming soon.
Presenter:
Rachel A. Carpenter, Chief Safety Officer, Caltrans
Location: Ballroom
10:45 am - Break
Networking in the lobby.
11:00 am - Plenary - Climate and Resiliency: Active Transportation’s Role
The effects of climate change have arrived, and they’re here to stay. Active transportation plays a larger role than just lessening the inputs driving the crisis. This interdisciplinary panel of leaders will share how they are implementing diverse strategies, ranging from landscaping to economic equity, and discuss the role of active transportation in these efforts.
Moderator:
Michael Hutnick, Caltrans
Presenters:
April Webster, Strategic Leader for Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Transportation
Darwin Moosavi, CalSTA
Linda Baker, Caltrans
Megan Johnson, City of Sacramento
Location: Ballroom
12:15 pm - Lunch
Lunch will be served in the lobby.
1:30 pm - Breakout Sessions
Non-Infrastructure Is Not An Afterthought: How to Build Community and Partnerships While Building Your Active Transportation Projects
Changing transportation behavior takes more than building sidewalks and bike lanes. Education and encouragement activities are funded in the Active Transportation Program as non-infrastructure projects. Panelists will discuss the importance of non-infrastructure programs in changing how a community travels and model varied approaches to creating successful applications and implementing non-infrastructure programs for all ages. Panelists will share how they chose partners and developed their successful project application selected for Active Transportation Program funding.
Moderator:
Jeanne LePage, Ecology Action
Presenters:
Kerri Vanderbom, Butte County Public Health
Rachel Tow, Butte County Public Health
Ariana Green, Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Leann Leon, Ecology Action
Location: Ballroom A
Bridging the Gap: Active Transportation and Transit Integration
Getting to and from transit shouldn’t be the hardest part of the trip. Dive into how active transportation can close the first and last mile gap. This panel includes practitioners and academics working to connect people to transit. From new infrastructure projects to policy shifts to international solutions, this session will explore what it takes to build safe, seamless, and people-centered mobility options.
Moderators:
Peter Rossi, Caltrans
Diego Corvera, City of Visalia
Presenters:
Audrey Ogden, Caltrans Division of Transportation Planning
David Sorrell, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
Kari Watkins, UC Davis
Location: Ballroom B
Leveraging Art as an Engagement, Placemaking, and Safety Strategy
Learn how art is being leveraged as an engagement, placemaking, and transportation safety strategy across the state in rural, suburban, urban, and Tribal communities. Sidewalk poetry and art on the asphalt are examples of the successful integration of art into active transportation infrastructure. Engage in a discussion on creative and diverse funding strategies, how to balance innovation with regulations such as the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and how to establish and maintain partnerships to facilitate meaningful engagement and long-term investment in art in transportation. Attendees will leave this session equipped with actionable strategies and inspiration to incorporate meaningful art into transportation planning and infrastructure in their communities.
Moderator:
Rachel Om, Southern California Association of Governments
Presenters:
Alina Borja, Southern California Association of Governments
Ben Goger, Mariposa County
Drew Hart, City of Rancho Cordova
Ian Winbrock, City of Rancho Cordova
Location: Ballroom C
2:30 pm - Break
Networking in the lobby.
2:45 pm - Breakout Sessions
Riding the Electric Wave: Incorporating E-bikes and Micromobility into Our New Transportation Landscape
In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of e-bikes and other electric mobility options, and technology often outpaces policy and infrastructure. Many local agencies are grappling with developing policies that address speed differentials, safety considerations, and facilitate mode shift. Further, policy and design strategies for device parking, curb management, and education of road users are often required. This session will discuss how to effectively incorporate electric mobility devices into active transportation networks, build in support systems for all users, and plan for the future. Speakers representing the non-profit sector, a public university campus, and the bicycle industry will review education, incentives, policy considerations for local jurisdictions, and promising infrastructure changes.
Moderator:
Kendra Ramsey, California Bicycle Coalition
Presenters:
Jeanie Ward-Waller, Fearless Advocacy
Matt Miller, Ecology Action
Jeff Bruchez, UC Davis Transportation Services
Location: Ballroom A
People Experiencing Homelessness and Active Transportation
Active transportation plays a significant but often overlooked role in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Join this session to learn about the unhoused population in California and how transportation planning and design decisions affect their safety and quality of life. Panelists will also discuss the importance of including the voices of those currently or previously experiencing homelessness in community engagement activities.
Moderator:
Emily Pereira, California Department of Public Health
Presenters:
Alicia Lehmer, Homebase, The Center for Common Concerns
Mar-y-sol Pasquiers, California Department of Public Health
Akenese “Agnes” Luluga, Asian Resources, Inc.
Veronica Hahni, Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative
Location: Ballroom B
Sovereignty and Synergy: Tribal Partnerships for Successful Active Transportation Program Projects
Strong partnerships with Tribal governments can lead to successful, collaborative active transportation projects.. This session will focus on the partnership between the Karuk Tribe and Caltrans District 2 to deliver the Happy Camp Complete Streets Project. The journey wasn’t always easy, but led to a successful partnership and project delivery. Learn about the journey which included outreach by Caltrans District 2 to the Karuk Tribe, trust building between the two groups, a successful Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 funding award, and a contracting option that honored Tribal Sovereignty while enabling state support. This session will share strategies for Tribal-agency collaboration, lessons learned, and leveraging local agencies’ partnerships with Tribal communities to achieve shared active transportation goals.
Moderator:
Kendee Vance, Caltrans
Presenters:
Tami Quigley, Caltrans
Misty Rickwalt, Karuk Tribe
Location: Ballroom C
3:45 pm - Break
Networking in the lobby.
4:00 pm - Breakout Sessions
Finding Creative Ways to Fund Active Transportation Projects
The Active Transportation Program is the state’s only dedicated source of funding for walking and biking projects. The program remains oversubscribed, with a backlog of critically needed, high-quality projects that go unfunded every program cycle. This leaves California agencies with limited options to fund active transportation improvements in their communities. This session will focus on strategies to fund active transportation improvements and discuss other funding sources available. Speakers will share their knowledge and expertise on other programs that fund active transportation improvements, and discuss strategies utilized for successful applications in the Active Transportation Program.
Moderator:
Laurie Waters, California Transportation Commission
Presenters:
Marc Caswell, California Strategic Growth Council
Joey Juhasz-Lukomski, Shared Use Mobility Center
Ivan Garcia, Butte County Association of Governments
Steven Wright/Lina Moeller, iBank
Location: Ballroom A
Implementing Street Safety for the Disabled Community
Did you know that without the disability community, curb cuts wouldn’t exist? The disability communities are too often forgotten as municipal agencies seek to implement new street safety infrastructure, yet when their needs are factored in, the design benefits all Californians. This session will draw on the personal experiences of a diverse group of California disability advocates working to elevate the needs of their communities. The panel will discuss universal design principles and how incorporating such principles in transportation planning and infrastructure will inform better design decisions that can satisfy the needs of all Californians.
Moderators:
Kevin Shin, California Walks
Beck Levin, Disability Rights California
Presenters:
Warren Cushman, Community Resources for Independent Living
Alexa Guerrero, Community Organizer living in Placer County
Michai Freeman, Center for Independent Living
TBA
Location: Ballroom B
Bike Parking: A Critical Support for Bicycling
Supporting people on bicycles doesn’t stop at the bike lane. Bicycling is a viable transportation option only when there is a secure place to park or store your bike at the end of the trip. There are many considerations for bike parking, from location and site planning to materials selection, installation, and maintenance. Panelists in this session will provide an overview of the upcoming update to the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) bike parking guidelines, share insights from bike parking programs in California, and discuss best practices for success.
Moderator:
Michelle Lieberman, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis
Presenters:
Mauricio Hernandez, Alta Planning + Design
Anne Wallach Thomas, Shasta Living Streets
TBA
Location: Ballroom C
5:00 pm - End of Day 1
See you tomorrow!
Thursday, October 23, 2025
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8:00 am - Breakfast
Breakfast will be available in the lobby.
9:00 am - Breakout Sessions
Active Transportation on Rural Main Streets
Active transportation projects have many health, safety and economic benefits – but what are the impacts of a completed project in a rural community? Rural communities are often bisected by a state highway, or a main street throughway. These corridors maintain local businesses, historic landmarks, and community social hubs, which are integral to cultivating economic vitality and community identity. This session focuses on the impacts of active transportation facilities in rural regions, specifically on rural main streets. The speakers will share their depth of experience on community-supported improvements, planning measures considered to address impacts of climate change, and how investments in active transportation improves the livelihood of people living in rural communities across California.
Moderator:
Lee Ann Eager, Commissioner, California Transportation Commission
Presenters:
Wendy Sugimura, Mono County
Marc Maddox, Town of Paradise
Eloy Ortiz, Regeneración – Pajaro Valley Climate Action
Location: Ballroom A
Thinking Outside the Engagement Box
Community-based organizations, consultants, and transportation agencies are reimagining engagement through innovative, collaborative approaches that go beyond traditional public meetings. This dynamic panel will showcase groundbreaking strategies that build trust, create meaningful partnerships, and center community voices in active transportation planning. Experts from across California will share transformative techniques that empower residents, bridge institutional gaps, and develop more inclusive, responsive transportation solutions.
Moderator:
Kiara Reed, Civic Thread
Presenters:
James Rojas, Place It!
John Kamp, Prairieform
Theresa Vallez-Kelly, San Mateo County Office of Education
Kristin Haukom, Alta Planning + Design
Jacob Lieb, LA Metro
Roxy Rivas, Pacoima Beautiful
Matt Biggar, Connected Places
Location: Ballroom B
Telling Your Story: Crafting a Compelling Grant Narrative
How do you craft a compelling story to get your project funded? Panelists in this session will discuss how to highlight the major impacts of your projects: why it matters, who it benefits, and how the community will change in positive ways. The session will also discuss the data and tools available to help tell your story.
Presenters:
Claire Gallogly, City of Santa Cruz
Dillon Fitch-Polse, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis
Trisalyn Nelson, UC Santa Barbara
Julia Griswold, UC Berkeley SafeTREC
Location: Ballroom C
10:00 am - Break
Networking in the lobby.
10:15 am - Workshop Sessions
Beyond the Count: New Ways to Measure Active Transportation Project Success
Join us for an introduction to the Active Transportation Resource Center’s Counts+ Technical Assistance pilot program, exploring new ways to measure the success of your active transportation project. This pilot program will explore evaluation metrics that capture additional benefits generated by projects while keeping the burden of work low for participants. The session will include a brief introduction to the pilot program, and then we’ll head outside for a hands-on demonstration of Counts+. At the end of the session, we’ll discuss how you can request technical assistance for your active transportation project and answer any outstanding questions.
Presenters:
Dru van Hengel, Nelson\Nygaard
Tracy McMillan, Nelson\Nygaard
Alexandra Weber, Nelson\Nygaard
Carolyn Chu, Nelson\Nygaard
Location: Ballroom A
Designing Bikeable Intersections with NACTO Guidance
The National Association of City Transportation Officials’ (NACTO) new edition of the Urban Bikeway Design Guide is the blueprint for implementing safe, connected, and equitable bike networks. Its how-to guidance covers city policy, network planning, community collaboration, program and project evaluation, bikeway design, curb management, intersection design, maintenance, and operations. Precise, actionable illustrations and diagrams help everyone work toward safe, bikeable cities.
In this hands-on session, you will learn about the Guide’s holistic approach to bikeable streets and focus on proven geometric designs and traffic control strategies. You’ll roll away with the skills to make your city’s bikeway intersections safe and inviting for people of all ages and abilities. Anyone involved in design, from scoping to approvals, will benefit from this session.
Presenter:
Cary Bearn, NACTO
Location: Ballroom B
Quick is the Name
Quick Build projects are not a new concept in the toolbox of local agencies, but the name Quick Build has become the term used to describe low-cost pilot projects in recent years. A panel of local agency staff will candidly discuss Quick Build project examples and their challenges, implementation strategies, and tips for success.
Moderator:
Cory Wilkerson, City of Anaheim
Presenters:
Jessie Holzer Carpenter, City of Beverly Hills
Paul Martin, City of Costa Mesa
Charlie Ream, City of Oakland
Rames Madou, City of San Jose
Location: Ballroom C
Walk Safe and Bike Safe Program Demonstration
Experience Ecology Action’s Walk Safe and Bike Safe program firsthand. Hop on a bike and ride the bike rodeo course to learn how these educational events help children (and adults) practice and develop skills that will help them to become more confident and safer bicyclists. Take a short walking field trip to see how pedestrian safety skills are taught and practiced. Participants will have time to experience both programs.
Presenters:
Ecology Action
Location: Arboretum Drive
12:15 pm - Lunch and Poster Session
The Poster Session will feature completed Active Transportation Program projects.
Location: Lobby and Patio
1:45 pm - Keynote - The Future of Active Transportation and Funding in California
Description coming soon.
Presenter:
Adonia E. Lugo, PhD, Commissioner, California Transportation Commission and Equity Research Manager, UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
Location: Ballroom
2:35 pm - Break
Networking in the lobby.
2:55 pm - Plenary - Making Engagement Work: Cross-Agency Lessons in Active Transportation
Description coming soon.
Moderator:
Nailah Pope-Harden, Caltrans
Presenters:
Clarissa Reyes Falcon, Vice Chair, California Transportation Commission
Susie A. Rico-Vasquez, Fresno County Department of Public Health
Mike Wilson, Berkeley Disaster and Fire Safety Commission
Madilyn Jacobsen, Caltrans District 5
Location: Ballroom
4:10 pm - Closing Remarks
Presenters:
Darnell Grisby, Chair, California Transportation Commission
Tanisha Taylor, Executive Director, California Transportation Commission
Location: Ballroom
4:30 pm - End of Day 2
Thank you for joining us!
Keynote Speakers
Coming soon!
Session Panelists and Moderators
Coming soon!
The Symposium team is hosting optional pre-Symposium activities. Sign up for these activities with your Symposium registration through Eventbrite.
Please note that the group sizes for these activities are limited. Approximately two-thirds of the spaces for the pre-Symposium tours and Introduction to Active Transportation Planning and Design Course will be available during early bird registration and the remaining third will be available starting September 1, 2025. If the activity you are interested in is full, please fill out this form and we will send you a reminder when the remaining spaces open.
Additional details including exact meeting locations will be provided to registrants.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Introduction to Active Transportation Planning and Design Course
Presented by UC Davis
Location: Institute of Transportation Studies, 1605 Tilia Street, Davis
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: no cost
This one-day course is intended to introduce active transportation planning and design concepts to planners, engineers, public health practitioners, community-based organizations, and other champions with no or limited experience with the topic. Through the course, you will explore the tools used to assess and evaluate the suitability of transportation infrastructure for use by all types of bicyclists and pedestrians, learn about California’s commitment to support all modes of transportation, and receive an overview of basic pedestrian and bicycle planning and design standards, guidance, and tools.
If you are interested in attending an in-person Introduction to Active Transportation Planning and Design training session, but are unable to attend this one, please provide your contact information here to be notified when more in-person sessions are scheduled.
Davis Bicycle Tour
Led by UC Davis, City of Davis, and Caltrans
Location: City of Davis and UC Davis Campus
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: no cost
Explore the UC Davis campus and the City of Davis by bicycle. You will experience the platinum-level Bicycle Friendly University and Bicycle Friendly Community through on-street and off-street facilities. Learn about current and upcoming initiatives to make biking in Davis even better!
Bring your own bike, or let us know you need to reserve a Spin bike for the tour by choosing the bike rental option through Eventbrite.
Davis Walking Tour
Led by California Walks and City of Davis
Location: UC Davis Campus and City of Davis
Time: 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm
Cost: no cost
Join California Walks for a walking tour on the UC Davis campus and within the City of Davis. Explore the different areas and pedestrian facilities and hear from Davis students and locals about current transportation and future plans.
Rail/Transit Tour
Led by Caltrans
Location: Capitol Corridor, Davis Station to Sacramento Valley Station
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Cost: Participants will be responsible for their own transit fares on the day of the tour. A Capitol Corridor one-way ticket is currently $9.
Join Caltrans staff on a trip on the Capitol Corridor intercity passenger rail service from the Davis Station to the Sacramento Valley Station. At both stations, check out the existing active transportation facilities and first/last mile infrastructure and hear about the planned improvements. The tour will travel from Davis to Sacramento together. Once in Sacramento, the tour leads will provide information on ways to return to Davis at your leisure.
Where is the UC Davis Conference Center?
Transportation
Lodging
Please visit the Conference Center website for driving directions and information about parking, bike parking, and public transportation (train and bus).
Bike rentals are available through the ASUCD Bike Barn.
Spin is the shared micromobility operator in Davis. Download the Spin app to find and use a e-bike or scooter. For more information, visit the UC Davis Spin and City of Davis Spin websites.
Room blocks have been established at the following hotels. Please use the individual links to book your lodging.
University Park Inn and Suites
Rate: $142/night
Book here
Aggie Inn
Rates: Room – $142/night; Cottages (2 available) – $219/night
Book here
Best Western Palm Court Hotel
Rate: $142/night
Book here
Thank you to the 2025 Active Transportation Program Symposium Planning Committee and Session Leads.
Ali Doerr Westbrook, Caltrans
Alicia Ramos, California Department of Public Health
Anja Aulenbacher, California Transportation Commission
Ariana Lopez, County of Orange Public Works
Beck Levin, Disability Rights California
Claire Gallogly, City of Santa Cruz
Cory Peterson, Placer County Transportation Planning Agency
Cory Wilkerson, City of Anaheim
Diego Corvera, City of Visalia
Dillon Fitch-Polse, UC Davis
Elijah Hall, Caltrans
Elika Changizi, California Transportation Commission
Emma Mallonee, Caltrans
Jaeden Gales, California Transportation Commission
Jeanne LePage, Ecology Action
Jeff Bruchez, UC Davis
Jeffery Rosenhall, California Department of Public Health
Kendra Ramsey, California Bicycle Coalition
Kevin Shin, California Walks
Laurie Waters, California Transportation Commission
Marianne Hernandez, California Department of Public Health
Michael Hutnick, Caltrans
Michelle Lieberman, UC Davis
Patrick Band, Napa Valley Transportation Authority
Peter Rossi, Caltrans
Pualani Vazquez, Scripps Mercy Hospital
Rachel Om, SCAG
Sarkes Khachek, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments
Valerie Rodrigues, Riverside University Health System – Public Health