Conference Program

For 2012, we have selected six major conference themes. In developing your proposals, please do so with one of these themes in mind.

• Invest + Govern. Bicycling and walking investments are ready to compete in the new cost-conscious reality and political climate in which we live. We encourage presentations that: quantify the benefits and cost savings to the individual and community; present the business case for supporting bicycling and walking; detail financing models for making investments; and other topics.
• Advocate + Include. When our transportation system is balanced, everyone can prosper; when transportation decision-making is inclusive, it builds community. We encourage presentations about: environmental justice achieved; outsiders' perspective on our work; programs that engage low income and underserved communities; and other topics.
• Design + Engineer. New approaches to planning, designing, and building infrastructure are luring new people into cycling, and improving safety for all road users. We encourage presentations that: continue the professional development of planners and engineers; discuss the latest transportation engineering publications/manuals; and present best practices for finding flexibility within existing design standards.
• Healthy + Safe. Our neighborhoods can enhance our health and quality-of-life by facilitating social connections and by making walking and biking trips easy and convenient. We encourage presentations from public health professionals and others who have developed successful and low cost models/programs for physical activity/built environment focused interventions. Also included in this category: innovative injury prevention programs, food access programs, programs that address childhood obesity, and programs that prioritize populations experiencing health disparities.
• Plan + Connect. Changing demographics, emerging technology, and better collaboration across disciplines, agencies, and travel modes is moving us closer to seamless travel in many major cities. We encourage transportation planning related presentations on the following subjects: successful intergovernmental partnerships; exemplary public involvement practices; innovative and cost-effective applications of technology to improve service; and model bike/ped planning.
• SRTS + Beyond. For work that focuses on improving the safety, desirability, and ease of movement for young people walking or biking to/from school. We encourage proposals on the following subjects: best practices for including youth in planning; exemplary SRTS programs (K-12); developing schools as neighborhood assets/destinations; and developing community wide youth mobility plans.

Our Formats

Panel Session/Guided Discussion: An interactive 90-minute session with 1-3 presenters that explores/reflects one of the six conference themes. Sessions are constructed to allow time for audience questions and dialog. The conference features eight 90 minute breakouts sessions, with multiple concurrent Panel Sessions.

Poster Session + Pechu Kachu: The poster session is a popular option for those desiring a more personal interaction with their audience. For 2012, to enliven the poster sessions, we are adding Pecha Kucha style presentations (20 slides/20 seconds each) for each poster.

Mobile Workshop: We understand that sometimes a field demonstration is required, and that some subjects are best explored outside the confines of the conference center, so we are presenting the option of the 90-minute mobile workshop. Please note: due to the logistical undertaking required to produce mobile workshops, only a limited number of spots will be available. Please consider other formats first.

Peer Problem Solving: Spend 30 minutes in a room with the top minds of our profession and get their feedback on a challenge vexing your community. During these facilitated sessions, you will have 5-10 minutes to articulate your particular challenge to the audience, and then they will take over, asking questions, and building off each other's ideas. At the end of these electric 30 minutes, you will have a plan in hand to take back to your community, as well as some great new contacts to support your work. Please note: a limited number of spots are available as this is a new format for 2012.

Submitting a Proposal

The Call for Proposals is now closed and proposals received are being reviewed by a select committee of peers that will score proposals for relevance, quality, and contribution to the advancement of our field. Notification of acceptance will occur in early Spring 2012. Please direct all questions to Mark Plotz, Conference Director: mark@bikewalk.org or (202) 223-3621.