LEARN-RIDE-CONNECT

What is the Active Transportation Academy?

The Academy is a four-day professional development course that equips engineers, planners, advocates, and elected officials with practical strategies to create safer, more connected communities through walking, biking, and micro-mobility.

What alumni are saying:
“Hands down, the best learning experience I have had in over twenty five years of professional practice.”-Scott Dunakey-Community Planning & Policy Manager-Heartlands Conservancy

What is the investment to attend the Academy?

The Academy includes the following*:

1. All meals, snacks, and drinks

2. Use of e-bike and helmet during the academy

3. Ground transportation during the academy

4. Single-occupancy accommodations in Bentonville, AR

5. All facilitation and course materials.

6. Backpack, water bottle and T-shirt

7. Up to 29 hours of continuing education credits

investment: $2,850

*Participant travel to Bentonville, AR for the event is not included in pricing.

Registration now open for 2026 sessions:

Earlybird pricing**$150 Off

Early bird pricing ends on February 13, 2026

Use discount code: 2026ATAEARLYBIRD at checkout

Code good For spring and summer sessions only

2026 academy Dates:

Session #1: April 28 - May 1, 2026
Session #2: June 2 - 5, 2026
Session #3: September 22 - 25, 2026
Session #4: October 20 - 23, 2026
Each session is 4 days (Tuesday-Friday). Participants will choose which 4 day session they would like to join.

Have Questions? Let's Chat.

GOAL of the Academy: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SKILL BUILDING

Up to 29 hours of continuing education credits are available as needed.

Ride our active transportation network, interact with local leaders, and learn from local stakeholders how Northwest Arkansas (NWA) became known as a cycling destination.

secure my spot for 2026 now

Where:

Bentonville, AR will be our base of operations, although we will be exploring multiple cities across the Northwest Arkansas region. This vibrant town has quickly grown to become a destination both for the sense of place that it promotes but also for biking. Bentonville acts as a hub for nightlife, arts and culture, as well as natural surface and paved trails.

NWA is home to over 400 miles (and growing) of natural surface trails connected by shared-use paved paths and other on-street infrastructure. While we will be primarily focused on the hard surface and on street portions of developing a connected community, you will surely want to sample some of this sweet single track while you’re here!

https://www.oztrailsnwa.com

Check out this great resource on all things NWA:

https://findingnwa.com

Who should participate:

Learning objectives of the Academy:

Upon completion of the Active Transportation Academy participants will:

Apply knowledge of the technical details and best practices for building safe, comfortable, and connected bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Describe the role that an active transportation network can play in supporting sustainable land use, housing, and complementing multi-modal transportation networks and will be able to provide examples of its application.
Illustrate and apply the best practices and/or strategies for developing a bicycle and pedestrian-friendly culture that can increase usage and ridership.
Integrate effective public engagement strategies that include a wide array of voices and perspectives.
Describe the role that active transportation connectivity plays in increasing economic development and tourism.
Demonstrate how active transportation can increase community health outcomes through the creation of safer neighborhoods, recreation, and a culture of activity.

What others are saying about the Academy:

The Academy opened my eyes to an alternative mode of transportation that can be accessed by everyone. It showed me a well-thought-out and implemented trail system can not only provide recreational and health benefits it can also provide a critical means of transportation to members of a community who may be facing economic challenges. By encouraging designs that serve all ages and all abilities while also emphasizing inclusivity, The Academy has engrained in me a duty to design trail systems that all may access safely and equally in order to fulfill a broad spectrum of needs.”
- Travis Small – Transportation Division Manager, City of Broken Arrow, OK

“The Academy completely transformed my perception of active transportation and how I interact with not only the physical spaces themselves but the people who are in positions to make positive impacts. It inspired a passion for bringing the right people to the table and provided me the awareness and relevant data needed to get the right conversations started. We now analyze how our sidewalks, bike lanes, cross walks and road ways impact the community and are encouraged to seek improvements.”
- Jennifer Grissom – Former Director, Fort Worth Bike Sharing

SECURE MY SPOT NOW