HANOVER, MD (October 1, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Transportation is joining partner agencies, nonprofits and communities across the state for the sixth annual Walktober celebration, a month-long series of walking and rolling activities, events and online webinars throughout October highlighting Maryland’s official state exercise and the importance of pedestrian safety, equitable access, active transportation and healthy lifestyles. For 2026, Governor Wes Moore has proclaimed October to be “Walktober,”​ encouraging Marylanders to get outside, walk, roll and enjoy the many benefits of active transportation.

Walktober coincides with National Pedestrian Safety Month declared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. MDOT’s 2026 Walktober program will invite Marylanders to go outdoors, explore local places to walk and roll and help the state reach a collective one million-step goal.

“From the cooler weather and changing leaves to lower stress levels and other health benefits, there are so many reasons to get outside and find joy in movement this time of year,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson. “I encourage all Marylanders to participate in Walktober – whether you’re walking or rolling as a mode of transportation or purely for fun and relaxation – and remember to wear bright or reflective gear for visibility as the days grow shorter.”

The Walktober Relay Step Challenge will kick off the month on October 1 by spotlighting trails, sidewalks, paths, parks and neighborhood routes across Maryland, while the Walktober Relay Step Challenge invites residents to keep the relay going by choosing their own route and logging their steps throughout October. Participants may register to compete for leaderboard prizes and recognition or simply log their steps to contribute to the statewide goal. to compete for leaderboard prizes and recognition or simply log their steps to contribute to the statewide goal.

MDOT will also host a series of free 90-minute webinars, or “Walkinars,” on Thursdays in October from 1- 2:30 p.m. The sessions will feature local, state and national speakers discussing walkability, active transportation, pedestrian safety, equity, technology, innovation and connected communities. The series is open to all and provides American Institute of Certified Planners with 1.5 Certification Maintenance credits per session. Topics include:

Walktober also coincides with Walk Maryland Day and Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 7. Walk Maryland Day, coordinated by the Maryland Department of Health, encourages Marylanders to participate by registering as Walk Leaders, joining a walk as a “Sole Mate,” or walking at a location of their choice. Schools and communities are also encouraged to participate in Walk and Roll to School Day by celebrating active trips to school. To register for Walk Maryland Day, sign up on the Maryland Department of Health’s page here and to sign up for a Walk and Roll to School Day event, sign up here.

In addition, Walktober Power Hour on October 15 will encourage participants to walk or roll for one hour, with a goal of completing at least one mile and adding those steps to the challenge to compete for leaderboard prizes and recognition or simply log their steps to contribute to the statewide goal.

Links for Walktober events, registration and resources are available on MDOT’s Walktober webpage.

At the Maryland Department of Transportation, safety is our top priority. The agency’s commitment is reflected in policies and data-driven initiatives aimed at improving transportation safety and accessibility across the state. The Department’s Serious About Safety initiative brings together MDOT-led initiatives, legislative action and advocacy and engagement, building on the important safety programs and efforts already underway like the Department’s Complete Streets Policy, the data-driven Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and the Sidewalk Data Collaboration project, a statewide database designed to help plan and prioritize sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements. 

To keep the public and transportation professionals informed, the Department hosts the MDOT in Motion webinar series which highlights multimodal projects and programs designed to help Marylanders move safely, connect them to opportunities and build stronger communities.