What is WalkWorks?
WalkWorks is an initiative between the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center that supports the development and adoption of Active Transportation Plans in communities across the Commonwealth. Its mission is to increase access to and opportunities for physical activity, such as walking, biking, using a wheelchair or other micromobility device, and riding public transit. WalkWorks:
- Provides funding to develop Active Transportation Plans to guide the establishment of safe, accessible, activity-friendly routes connecting everyday destinations.
- Provides technical assistance for the development of said plans and policies.
- Educates about the relevance and benefits of safe and accessible walking, biking, transit, and all forms of active mobility for people throughout the Commonwealth, no matter their zip code, income, or skin color, age, or mobility level.
- Offers support to communities that encourage walking, biking, using public transit, using a wheelchair or other personal mobility devices, etc., through events and programs.
Making walking, biking, using a wheelchair, and riding transit safer and more convenient offers a multitude of benefits to communities by:
- Supporting healthier lifestyles through increased opportunities for physical activity
- Decreasing traffic fatalities and injuries
- Boosting local economies
- Reducing air and other types of pollution through increased use of environmentally friendly travel
- Improving public health and lowering the risk of chronic conditions
- Connecting people to nature and the outdoors
- Enhancing personal finances through cost-effective modes of transportation
- Reducing traffic congestion, leading to shorter travel times
- Fostering positive social interaction between residents, neighbors, and visitors
- Expanding employment opportunities through the availability of safe and accessible transportation
- Bettering mental health and overall well-being
- Advancing equity through the development of nondiscriminatory land use plans and policies
- And more!
Take action to help prioritize active transportation in your community by talking with your local government officials, identifying stakeholders and strategic community partners, and conducting a walkability assessment.
WalkWorks Funds the Development of Active Transportation Plans
For the seventh consecutive year, WalkWorks is able to provide funding to assist municipal entities with the development of active transportation plans and policies. By helping to fund these efforts, WalkWorks continues its aim to establish new or improved pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit transportation systems, thereby, furthering its objective of increasing activity-friendly routes and connectivity to everyday destinations. We are pleased to share the names and projects of nine agencies named to receive these awards in 2023-2024.Funding for the Development of Active Transportation Plans
| |
|---|---|
| 2024-25 Grantees | Project |
Albion Borough | Active Transportation Plan |
City of Allentown | Bicycle Connectivity Plan |
Bellevue Borough | Active Transportation Plan |
City of Lock Haven | Active Transportation Plan |
Lower Paxton Township | Active Transportation Plan |
City of Meadville | Active Transportation Plan |
Swissvale Borough | Active Transportation Plan |
Vandergrift Borough | Active Transportation Plan |
Wilkinsburg Borough | Active Transportation Plan |
WalkWorks Assists Communities with Pre-Planning Steps in Preparation for Applying for Planning Funds
In 2023, WalkWorks launched its Justin R. Lehman Community Capacity-Building Pre-Planning Assistance Program to provide funding and technical assistance to low capacity, high interest municipalities in need of support to complete the pre-planning steps required to apply for funding to develop an Active Transportation Plan. In guiding communities through the preparatory process, WalkWorks continues to focus investment into counties and communities with a documented history of underinvestment and low health attainment. The following municipalities were named as the 2024-25 Capacity-Building mini-grant awardees.
Support for Community Capacity-Building |
|---|
2024-25 Grantees |
Borough of Leetsdale |
Borough of Schuykill Haven |
Borough of West Reading |
Kulpmont Borough |
WalkWorks Quick Links
LTAP 80 second video on Active Transportation
Active transportation presentation slides
Active transportation presentation slides (Spanish version)
Intro to Active Transportation webinar
Complete Streets Webinar Series
Webinar 1 – Complete Streets Basics and Benefits, March 28, 2019:
Presentation (PowerPoint)
Recording
Webinar 2 – Best Practices for Design of Complete Streets, April 11, 2019:
Presentation (PowerPoint)
Recording
Webinar 3 – Complete Streets: Planning and Policies, April 18, 2019:
Presentation (PowerPoint)
Recording
Safe Routes to School Webinar Series
Webinar 1 – Safe Routes Introduction and Benefits, September 28, 2022:
Presentation (PowerPoint)
Recording
Webinar 2 – Safe Routes Projects and Programs, October 17, 2022:
Presentation (PowerPoint)
Recording
Webinar 3 – Safe Routes Planning and Funding, November 3, 2022:
Presentation (PowerPoint)
Recording
PA Walkable Communities Collaborative
Promoting walking and expanding walkability in communities across Pennsylvania
WhatWorks for Local Governments and Schools
Resources for policymakers to increase opportunities for active transportation in plans, policies, and program