Bike Walk Kentucky Summit

The Summit is a statewide conference that will connect leaders and advocates to make our urban and rural communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous.

Promoting safe and healthy access for all

Plan now to attend the Bike Walk Kentucky 2024 Summit this summer!

When

August 15 – 16, 2024

Where

Transylvania University
Lexington, Kentucky

Sign Up Today!

The Bike Walk Kentucky Summit will advocate for a safer and healthier Kentucky. We will highlight and create ways for all Kentuckians to be more physically active, to enjoy nature with their families and friends, to welcome guests to enjoy Kentucky, to improve the safety of all cyclists and walkers, and to create healthier communities.

What is the Bike Walk Kentucky Summit?

The Bike Walk Kentucky Summit is a statewide conference connecting over 400 Kentucky leaders in tourism, transportation, government, recreation, and education to share ideas and learn best practices. Leaders and advocates from our rural and urban communities who represent all types of cyclists (recreational, commuters, mountain bikers, and road cyclists), hikers, and walkers are invited to participate and contribute to the conference. Creating ongoing conversations for safer Kentucky pathways among all the stakeholders in Kentucky is a central goal of the Summit.

Topic Areas

Advocacy and Education
Tourism and Economic Development
Health and Safety
Policy and Funding
Design and Infrastructure

What We Hope to Accomplish

  • Develop safe and user-friendly bicycling, walking, and hiking facilities with city-wide and state-wide trails and routes
  • Create new educational biking and walking programs and events for all ages to promote physical activity and health
  • Improve Kentucky’s Bike Friendly Ranking to help attract more tourism and support economic development in urban and rural communities
  • Form advocacy networks at the local, regional, and state level

Review the DRAFT agenda for the 2024 Bike Walk Kentucky Summit by clicking HERE!

Keynote Speakers

Bill Nesper
Executive Director of The League of American Bicyclists

Bill Nesper first joined the League of American Bicyclists in 2002 and brings a depth of knowledge of all of the League’s programs and work throughout the country. Bill started at the League as a membership assistant and since has directed the Smart Cycling and Bicycle Friendly America Programs before being appointed Executive Director. A national leader in bicycle programming, planning, and policy, Bill has supported local and state advocacy, led workshops for local communities across the country, and contributed to bicycling policy and planning guidance at all levels. As Executive Director, Bill has a passion for supporting the incredible League staff, building stronger partnerships, and making the League more effective at building a Bicycle Friendly America for Everyone. He holds a BA in History from the University of Florida and an MA from George Mason University.

Angie Schmitt
Author of Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America

Angie Schmitt is one of the country’s best known writers and experts on the topic of sustainable transportation. She was the long-time national editor at Streetsblog. Her writing and commentary have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, and National Public Radio. Angie is the author of the book Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America. She is the founder of 3MPH Planning and Consulting, a small firm focused on pedestrian safety.

Kalene Griffith
Visit Bentonville’s President and CEO

Kalene Griffith is the president and CEO of Visit Bentonville, which promotes the city of Bentonville as a world-class travel destination. Griffith was appointed by the Arkansas governor to the Arkansas State Parks, Heritage and Tourism Commission. She is a board member of the Southeast Tourism Society, the Arkansas Hospitality Association Travel Council, the Arkansas Association of Convention Visitors Bureau, Bentonville Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Bentonville Inc., Bentonville Public Arts Advisory Board, Bentonville History Museum, Dress For Success and Amazeum Children’s Museum.

David Wright
Director, Bentonville Parks and Recreation

David Wright has been in the public parks and recreation field for over 20 years. Prior to joining Bentonville Parks and Recreation, Wright worked ten years with Fayetteville Parks and Recreation, as well as stints with Fayetteville Youth Center and the Memphis Parks Commission. He is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional by the National Parks and Recreation Association and serves on multiple national boards and committees overseeing recreation policy. He currently manages 24 municipal parks, 100+ miles of trails and 140 recreation programs serving more than 5.5 million people and producing 7MM in annual revenue, all in the active city of Bentonville, Arkansas.

🔗 Northwest Arkansas’ bet on cycling is paying off.

Ben Sollee
Singing Cellist

Over the last two decades, Kentuckian Ben Sollee has distinguished himself as multi-faceted creative, blurring the lines between music, tech, and activism. A graduate of the Univeristy of Louisville School of Music, he holds a BFA in cello performance. Since his debut record in 2008, Mr. Sollee has released 6 studio records and nearly 10 EPs garnering praise from the New York Times and NPR. His music has been featured in tv shows such as Weeds and Parenthood. In addition, Sollee has a growing career as a composer for film, tv, and interactive media earning a Emmy Award in 2018 for his score on the ABC special Base Ballet. Beyond music, Mr. Sollee is known for his social and environmental advocacy working with organizations like Oxfam America, The Nature Conservancy, and Canopy KY to protect people and the land. He currently lives in Louisville, KY with his wife and three children.

Call for Proposals

We invite proposals on a range of topics related to: safety, education, advocacy, tourism, infrastructure and design, policy, funding promoting cycling, walking, and hiking. Topics should be relevant to making biking, walking and hiking better through: Advocacy and Education, Tourism and Economic Development, Health and Safety,Policy and Funding, Design and InfrastructurePreference will be given to proposals submitted on or before June 15, 2024.

Register for the 2024 Summit

Stay Up to Date

Stay up to date and spread the word by joining the BikeWalk Kentucky Summit 2024 Facebook event. (@BikeWalkKYSummit)

Learn more about Bike Walk Kentucky and the Bike Walk Kentucky Summit 2024 at www.bikewalk.ky

Accommodations

Residence Inn Lexington City Center
150 West Main Street
Lexington, Kentucky
859-253-3000 

Event Name: 2024 KENTUCKY BIKE WALK SUMMIT
Check-in: August 14, 2024
Check-out: August 17, 2024
Cost: $179 per night

Book your Group Rate Stay

Use the information below for your online reservation.

2024 Kentucky Bike Walk Summit
Start Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2024
End Date: Saturday, August 17, 2024
Last Day to Book: Sunday, July 14, 2024

Hotel: Lexington Marriott City Center
Rate: $179 USD per night

Things to do in Lexington

Attendee Guide (PDF)

Meet and Explore Lexington

Planning Committee

Sharon Brown

Ph.D, Professor of Health and Exercise Science, Transylvania University, Bike Walk Kentucky, Board President

Ashley Hinton

M.S, MPH, Director of Health Promotion, Centre College

Katherine L. Stone

Ph.D Psychologist in Private Practice, Bike Walk Kentucky, Board Member, Sheltowee Trace Association, Board Member

Steering Committee

Sam Burchett, Alternative Transportation Manager, University of Kentucky

Troy Hern, Physical Activity and Active Living Program Administrator at Commonwealth of Kentucky

Alice Hilton, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE)

Jared Jeffers, Kentucky Transportation Engineer 

Katie Keys, Director Operation Santa

Jessica Koenigsknecht-Talboo, Director of Foundation & Corporate Philanthropy, University of Kentucky

Keith Lovan, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator 

Roscoe Peacock, Senior Graphic Designer, Lodging Division at Corpay, Sheltowee Trace Association, Board Member

Dave Sevigny, Lexington Council District 10

Pam Thomas, cycling advocate and member of the Bluegrass Cycling Club

Scott Thompson, Transportation Planning, Lexington Area MPO – Bicycling and Pedestrian

George VanMeter Jr, retired small business owner

Sponsors