Active Transportation
Why Active Transportation Planning Matters
Active transportation is growing in the Alamo Area. Educating the community about the benefits of a transportation system with multimodal options is an integral part of AAMPO’s active transportation planning process. While the region faces challenges of increasing traffic congestion, notable obesity and diabetes rates, and looming air quality problems, active transportation modes like bicycling and walking provide benefits to both human and environmental health as well as the efficiency of the transportation network. Very importantly, pedestrian and bicycle networks that are accessible, direct, and continuous have been shown to be economically beneficial to the neighborhoods around them and improve safety for everyone using the roadway.
Did You Know?
AAMPO has been designated a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists in 2015.
Benefits of Active Transportation
Transportation
Reduced traffic congestion, improved safety, calms traffic, preserves road infrastructure.
Economic
Increased retail sales (restaurants, lodging establishments, retail stores), job creation, and enhancement of nearby property values.
Environmental
Improved air quality and energy conservation.
Social
Quality-of-life benefits from living in communities with more open space and greenways and that provide more opportunities for walking or cycling.
Health & Fitness
It is well recognized that Americans would benefit in many ways from a more active lifestyle. Bike lanes, sidewalks and trails promote healthy choices.
What is part of the Active Transportation Program?
Walkable Community Workshops
Street Skills Safety Classes
Alamo Area Bike Month
Walkable Community Workshop
Walkable Community Workshops assist neighborhoods in identifying infrastructure improvements to encourage walking and bicycling to restaurants, schools, businesses and parks.
Street Skills
AAMPO’s Street Skills class is a free, hour-long program for adults and mature teens who want to understand where bicyclists fit on the street. It covers important street riding information in a classroom-style session. Street Skills class provides real-life examples of city bicycling scenarios and how best to handle them so that you enjoy pleasant, stress-free rides.
Alamo Area Bike Month
The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) has coordinated National Bike Month programming for the greater San Antonio area since 2018. In each year since, hundreds of participants have turned out for National Bike Month events like Bike to Work Day, the Bike Beat festival and Street Skills classes.
WALKtober Challenge
As part of the Alamo Commutes program, the WALKtober Challenge invites you to commute smarter and walk more. Throughout the month of October, record your walking trips on the Alamo Commutes mobile and web app to be automatically entered for a chance to win prizes!
Walkable Community Workshop
Walkable Community Workshops assist neighborhoods in identifying infrastructure improvements to encourage walking and bicycling to restaurants, schools, businesses and parks. The program brings the transportation partner agencies staff and residents together in a workshop environment to discuss transportation issues and concerns in the area that pose a barrier to the community being pedestrian and cycling friendly. Concerns other than transportation are also discussed at workshops, such as safety and code compliance.
Reports summarizing the workshops are provided to elected officials and effected agencies for planning purposes. The reports provide a means to begin dialogue between the residents and community leaders. The MPO hopes to continue the program and believes strongly it supports the planning efforts of partnering agencies and municipalities in the region.
How to Participate
If you or your community would like to participate in this program, review our Active Transportation Program Policy and procedure, complete an Active Transportation Program application, and submit it to AAMPO’s Active Transportation Planner, via regular mail, e-mail, fax, or hand delivery.
Download ApplicationStreet Skills
New to city bicycling? Returning to bicycling from a long hiatus? Just want to be more in tune with bike progress in the Alamo Area or become more confident riding on streets, in mixed traffic?
AAMPO’s Street Skills class is a free, hour-long program for adults and mature teens who want to understand where bicyclists fit on the street. It covers important street riding information in a classroom-style session. Street Skills class provides real-life examples of city bicycling scenarios and how best to handle them so that you enjoy pleasant, stress-free rides.
Each class participant receives a helmet and bike light set, thanks to funding by the City of San Antonio Public Works Department. Advance registration is requested of all participants; walk-in students are welcome but are not guaranteed a helmet and light set.
Street Skills classes are open to adults and teens who are at least 14 years old. Participants between 14 and 18 years old must attend with a legal guardian.
Click the button below to browse and register for an upcoming Street Skills Class!
Resources
Recent Plans & Studies
Bike Share Master Plan (Nov. 2018)
The purpose of this study was to evaluate and make recommendations on the existing Bike Share program within Bexar County and determine the feasibility of implementing a bike share program in New Braunfels, Seguin and Boerne.
Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Planning Study (2016)
The primary purpose of the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Study was to assess current bicycle and pedestrian conditions in the City of Boerne, City of New Braunfels, City of Seguin and make recommendations on future facilities. Work specific to the City of San Antonio was to include recommendations for pedestrian facilities and conduct detailed work within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Other Plans/Studies
- Bicycle Master Plan (City of San Antonio - San Antonio Bikes)
- Complete Streets Resolution
- Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
Rack Cards & Brochures
Alamo Commutes
Whether you’re relocating, starting a new job, or wanting to change your commute, Alamo Commutes can help rethink your trip to work. Our services are free to residents or employees of Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe Counties, as well as a portion of Kendall County.
Active Transportation
The Active Transportation Program educates people on the advantages of walking and riding a bicycle as viable modes of transportation, helps identify infrastructure improvements, and allows for two-way communication.
Bike Right
Bicycling is a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly form of transportation. Stay safe while biking by following these safety tips:
Walk Safe
Walking is a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly form of transportation. Stay safe while walking by following these safety tips:
San Antonio-Bexar County Bike Map - 5th Edition (2016)
This map evaluates roadways within San Antonio and Bexar County on it's "Level of Traffic Stress". Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) is an approach that quantifies how stressful it feels to ride a bike close to cars, buses and other traffic. The Alamo Area MPO and City of San Antonio have worked together on a modified approach to evaluating traffic stress in the MPO’s study area.
Download MapPrevious Versions: 4th Edition (2014) | 3rd Edition (2009) | 2nd Edition (2006) | 1st Edition (2001)