FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Public Affairs David Broughton, 410-865-1029 Monthlong Activities Include Walk Maryland Day on Wednesday, October 2, Walkinar Series on Walking and Safe Infrastructure Hanover, MD (October 1, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Transportation today kicked off the fifth annual Walktober celebration, a series of events throughout October highlighting the importance of pedestrian safety, equitable access, transportation options and healthy lifestyles. The events support the Moore-Miller Administration’s goal to provide Marylanders with accessible, equitable and sustainable transportation options – including walking and biking. Governor Wes Moore has proclaimed October to be “Walktober,” as walking is Maryland’s official state exercise. “Maryland's sidewalks, crosswalks and trails are an essential part of our transportation network which helps provide safe and equitable access for all,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Join us this Walktober as we celebrate the many benefits of walking and focus on improving the walkability of our communities and collaborating to address pedestrians' needs."State agencies, nonprofits and communities across the state are joining the Walktober 2024 festivities and encourage Marylanders to step out to enjoy the many benefits of walking by joining an official event or simply taking a walk at a location of their choice. More information about Walktober at mdot.maryland.gov/walktober. This year’s events include: Walk Maryland Day. The annual Walk Maryland Day is Wednesday, October 2 – a celebration of Maryland’s official exercise and a call to action to support safe walking and walkability. It includes community walks across the state. Participants can become “Sole Mates” by registering to join one of the official walks. Register here.“Walkinar” Thursdays. The Maryland Department of Transportation is hosting 90-minute webinars or “Walkinars” to share resources about the value of walking. The "Walkinars" also help build, strengthen and sustain partnerships to encourage walking, and serve as a platform to discuss tools and technologies that promote pedestrian access and safety. Lt. Governor Aruna Miller will kick off the sessions this week. The series is open to all and will be held virtually from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Thursday in October. Topics are listed below, and registration is available here. October 3: From Nation to Neighborhood: Exploring National and State Perspectives SafetyOctober 10: Crafting Safe Spaces for Every Step with Every TripOctober 17: Sidewalks to Safety: Ensuring Secure Routes for StudentsOctober 24: Step Forward: Advancing Pedestrian Access and SafetyOctober 31: Sustainable Growth: How walkability creates more equitable and vibrant places for allOctober also has been designated as National Pedestrian Safety Month by the U.S. Department of Transportation. As an Ally in Action of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s national roadway safety effort, MDOT is proud to celebrate Walktober and advance policies and initiatives that aim to reduce serious traffic injuries and deaths. As part of those efforts, the Department recently launched a department-wide Complete Streets Policy, the data-driven Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) and a project to create a statewide sidewalk database that will help the agency plan and prioritize future pedestrian safety projects.