The Mid-Atlantic Regional Network, launched in 2012, works within the boundaries of the city of Baltimore and Greater Washington DC area. The purpose of the network is to bring together advocates, schools, health, transportation and planning professionals to support active transportation policies within communities, and leverage additional resources to create a region where walking and bicycling are safe and accessible.
The Regional Network project has ensured much progress in the Mid-Atlantic region. Some notable outcomes include:
Helped secure a Complete Streets policy for the entire DC metro area through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) and the National Capital Area Transportation Planning board.
Sustained funding for Safe Routes to School by ensuring that MWCOG included Safe Routes to School as an eligible project type, that Virginia Department of Transportation continued to provide funding to support Safe Routes to School coordinators, and by providing a webinar and assistance to help Maryland applicants, leading to millions of dollars invested across the region in Safe Routes to School and active transportation over the past five years.
Engaged with Safe Routes to School advocates and practitioners throughout the region via individual meetings and annual convenings to strengthen their knowledge and effectiveness about implementing Safe Routes to School initiatives.
Helped shape county- and city-level initiatives to maximize the impact on active transportation, such as supporting a 2014 Fairfax County transportation bond that generated more than $16 million for Safe Routes to School projects, helping with the drafting of Complete Streets policies for several communities in Prince George’s County, and working to ensure that the forthcoming Montgomery County Vision Zero policy addresses Safe Routes to School and speed reduction.
Our thanks to Kaiser Permanente for their support of the Safe Routes Partnership’s work in the Mid-Atlantic region
