Consistent infrastructure and wayfinding are best practices in design and construction and for user experience. When wayfinding or infrastructure is inconsistent, it's challenging for community members to use it, sometimes especially those with disabilities. When anyone feels unsafe or unsure about how to navigate, they are less likely to go out on their own and become isolated. We need to provide infrastructure that supports community members to remain active. Panelists will share their lived experience and engage the audience to share theirs and ask questions.
ADA Coordinator, Portland Bureau of Transportation
Lisa Strader is a certified ADA Coordinator currently serving in that role for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). Lisa works within the bureau to ensure PBOT programs and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. She works with designers to ensure that the... Read More →
Annadiana Johnson is a mobility device user who advocates for people who live with disabilities and older adults. She serves on committees and councils in this role. She also participates in design and planning workgroups. Prior to retirement Annadiana worked in the field of Computer... Read More →
Chair, TriMet Committee on Accessible Transportation
Jan Campbell is currently the chair of TriMet’s Committee on Accessible Transportation, Co-Chairs the Special Transportation Fund Advisory Committee in the Metro area, and is past President and now Board Member of Disability Rights Oregon. Awards have been presented to her at... Read More →
Patricia is an active member of Portland’s disabled community and has, for many years, advocated for disability inclusion. She currently works as the Accessibility Analyst for the Portland Police Bureau. In her previous position at Portland Community College, Patricia helped create... Read More →
Wednesday April 23, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT DoubleTree Hotel - Expo Hall1000 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232, USA
Attendees will learn about an innovative transit education program that was piloted in the Eugene School District 4J for 8th graders. This program addresses the challenges that students face when navigating public transit, specifically the intimidation many feel when riding the bus both in terms of route-finding and access, but also in terms of personal safety. In interacting with students while distributing free transit passes, we discovered that students often lacked the knowledge and experience to feel comfortable using public transportation. To address this, we developed and piloted a short curriculum that includes both a classroom session and a field trip on the bus. Attendees will learn how this hands-on approach builds students' skills, reduces anxiety, and encourages the use of public transit, with pre- and post-survey results showing significant success in boosting confidence and competence.
Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Eugene School District 4J
Sarah Mazze manages the Safe Routes to School program for Eugene School District 4J. Recent projects include launching a district-wide learn to ride program that has spread throughout the region and through which nearly 2,000 students have learned to pedal; developing a transit education... Read More →
This will be an informal town hall style discussion with Enviroissiues, the Community Cycling Center and Toole Design about different approaches to improving access to active transportation programming, bike safety education, bike maintenance education, and community development through two very different Safe Routes to School programs.
The Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Program is an Alameda County Transportation Commission program that has grown from 2 pilot schools in 2006 to over 300 schools throughout the county in 2025. It is now one of the largest and most well-funded programs in the U.S.
The Community Cycling Center has been a cornerstone of the Portland biking community for the last 30 years delivering on their mission to help build a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay healthy and connected. Their work is grassroots, volunteer and partnership driven and continues to adapt to community needs despite the challenges and fluctuations of non-profit funding.
Jodi Jacobson, Communications & Engagement PM, EnviroIssues Jodi has been working in the field of active transportation and transportation demand management for nearly two decades. She is currently working as the communications lead for the Alameda County Safe Routes to School Program... Read More →
Executive Director Community Cycling CenterRuben Alvarado service in nonprofit management and community development has been centered on advancing equity in housing, education, and transportation. His work has focused on partnering with communities to build resiliency and connection... Read More →
Ellie Gertler of Toole Design Group, a SR2S Program partner, leads all education and outreach efforts for the SR2S Program. Ellie has experience leading and supporting a variety of projects, including Safe Routes to School programs and plans, active and multimodal transportation plans... Read More →
Lake Strongheart McTighe is a principal transportation planner at Metro, the regional government and Metropolitan Planning Organization for the greater Portland region. At Metro, Lake focuses on street design, transportation safety and active transportation, developing plans and policies... Read More →
I am a Senior Transportation Planner at Metro, the regional government and Metropolitan Planning Organization for the greater Portland region. I've been an enthusiast of walking and biking around cities for over 40 years while growing up in New England as well as the last 20+ years... Read More →
As an associate transportation planner at Metro, I am developing a quick-build guide while supporting our Safe Streets for All program. Growing up in Los Angeles and later leading a youth cooking research program there as a college student, I personally learned how limited mobility... Read More →
Kate Gregory is a GIS Specialist in the Planning, Research, and Development department at Metro. She focuses on transportation safety data, which involves maintaining, analyzing, distributing, and reporting on traffic crash data and related information to support safer roadways.
A skilled and seasoned geospatial information designer with over 25 years of progressive experience in research, analysis and production. Particularly interested in exploring and integrating new solutions to existing problems. Specialties: Matthew specializes in taking complex information... Read More →
Ally Holmqvist is a Senior Transportation Planner at Metro, the regional government and Metropolitan Planning Organization for the greater Portland region. At Metro, Ally's role is primarily focused on administering the long-range Regional Transit Planning program which supports transit... Read More →
In our session we will discuss how the Portland Clean Energy and Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) invests in active transportation. We will share how we got here, how transportation was added into the Climate Investment Plan. We will talk about it's develop and the challenges successes of the Strategic Programs. Specifically investing in public sector in areas of Community Programming, Engagement, and Encouragement funding, and Collaborating for Climate Action awards.
PCEFPCEF Strategic Partnerships and Policy Manager, City of Portland, Portland Clean Energy and Community Benefits Fund
Jaimes Valdez (he/him) leads our organizational and policy development, which involves building internal processes, creating skill-building opportunities for community organizations, and helping guide development of PCEF strategy. His 15 years of work include energy policy and advocacy... Read More →
Join us for an in person meeting of Safe Routes to School practitioners across the state!
Location: 600 Northeast Grand Avenue #room 410 Portland, OR 97232 Our annual meeting is a time for Safe Routes to School practitioners from across the state to come together, connect, and celebrate the work we do to make walking and rolling safer for students. This event is an opportunity to share successes, learn from one another, and get inspired by new ideas and initiatives shaping the future of Safe Routes. Through engaging discussions, collaborative problem-solving, and program highlights, we build momentum for the year ahead—strengthening our network and reaffirming our commitment to safer, healthier communities.
Agenda: 9:00am-9:15am: Light Breakfast 9:15am-9:45am: Welcome and Icebreaker. 9:45am-10:15am: Celebration Presentation 10:15am-11:00am Small Group Discussions 11:00am-12:00pm: Hub Highlights 12:00pm-12:20pm: Two-Minute Updates 12:20pm-12:30pm: Closing Activity - Pair & Share
**Optional** 12:45pm-1:15pm: Lunch and Break (gluten free + vegan options available). 1:15pm-3:00pm: Cycle Oregon Jump Start Activity (This workshop will introduce participants to the new Jump Start Learn-to-Ride curriculum and Kick Scooter Safety lessons. Participants will learn skills and strategies for teaching students of all ages to ride a bike, and tips for integrating kick scooters into pedestrian education. The training will include some on-the-bike practice (bikes and helmets provided), so come prepared to walk and ride!)
Participants will learn about the competitive grant opportunities for tribes, cities, counties, school districts, and non-profits at the Oregon Department of Transportation. Grant programs that can specifically fund active transportation project will be highlighted like Safe Routes to School and Oregon Community Paths. Participants will also engage in a discussion to help them identify projects that would be good candidates for current grant programs and plan ahead for funding over the next two years.
Senior Active Transportation Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Transportation
LeeAnne Fergason is the Senior Active Transportation Policy Analyst for the Oregon Department of Transportation and has been at ODOT since 2017, managing grant programs to fund pedestrian and bicycle construction projects and working to address barriers to people walking, biking... Read More →
Innovative Mobility Program Manager, Oregon Department of Transportation
Amanda holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University and was the project manager for an affordable housing transportation study sponsored by the California Department of Transportation during her studies. Before moving to Portland for graduate... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm PDT DoubleTree Hotel - Expo Hall1000 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232, USA
Illumination or lack thereof can drastically change how people perceive and navigate the built environment. This is especially important for people walking and biking, who do not possess headlights, and are vulnerable road users. This presentation explores illumination for active transportation including who's been asking for it, how it can be assessed, what to consider for recommendations, and what treatments are available for practitioners. Join us as we shine a light on this often-overlooked area of active transportation!
This presentation is part of the Transportation Trailblazers track. Participants will gain actionable insights on how they can improve lighting in their community and drive impactful change.
Transportation Planner and Project Manager, Alta Planning + Design
Katie is a transportation planner and project manager at Alta Planning + Design, specializing in active transportation corridor and network planning, coalition building, facilitation, public engagement, and creative process design. She loves getting groups of people together to develop... Read More →
Trevor is an Oregon native who spent most of his childhood living abroad in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Trevor received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Political Science from Illinois Wesleyan University and his Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Portland... Read More →
