APBP Annual Awards

The Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals (APBP) announces the winners of its annual awards program to honor excellence in the profession. Three Professional of the Year awards and the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award were presented during the final day of APBP’s Safety Summit on October 12.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made a substantial commitment to the profession during their lifetime and who has shown excellence in the field of bicycle and pedestrian planning, design, advocacy, and/or education. The award distinguishes those whose vision and determination have made their communities better places to bike and walk and who inspire others. The 2023 APBP Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Marianne Wesley Fowler, Senior Strategist for Policy Advocacy for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Marianne has dedicated the past 35+ years to promoting safe and accessible multimodal transportation networks. Marianne’s collaborative work among many organizations helped to develop and sustain both the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities (and subsequent Transportation Alternatives (TA)), the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program. Marianne’s work to protect and expand these programs resulted in thousands of projects to develop and connect pedestrian and bicycle facilities, preserve historic transportation facilities, and enhance the environment. Marianne’s monumental achievements in policy make her more than deserving of this award, but perhaps her greatest legacy is the numerous advocates, community partners and civic leaders she has inspired to make their communities more walkable and bikeable. It would be hard to find a champion in our movement who wasn’t influenced and motivated by Marianne’s leadership. 

The APBP Professional of the Year Awards recognize the achievements of pedestrian and bicycle professionals made in the last twelve months in the private, public, research, and nonprofit sectors and one young professional under the age of 30.

MJ Carpio, Campaign Manager for Move Minnesota & Move Minnesota Action received the 2023
Nonprofit Professional of the Year Award. MJ worked with climate advocates, transit riders, state lawmakers, and coalition partners to realize Move Minnesota’s policy goals as some of the most momentous climate and sustainable transportation legislation in the state’s history. She organized testimonies, worked with partners to connect thousands of residents to their decisionmakers, and was central to making transit, biking, walking, and rolling top-tier priorities in the House and Senate Transportation Committees. Her work cultivating legislative champions across a variety of committees resulted in the narrow victories needed to pass these groundbreaking policies.  In addition, MJ works to make transportation a more welcoming and diverse space, and to ensure advocacy efforts are centered on the lived experience of transit users, pedestrians, and mobility justice leaders, such as by organizing equity-focused legislative hearings on transportation.

Keith Lovan, State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Was awarded the 2023 Public Sector Professional of the Year Award. Keith’s advocacy for sustainable transportation has and will continue to greatly benefit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and citizens of the Commonwealth while contributing to a more livable and inclusive Kentucky.  Keith's efforts on countless transportation projects address this by advocating for the development of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, where investment is feasible. Notably, his role in adoption and creation of the Complete Streets Manual and Policy and Kentucky's first bicycle and pedestrian plan, stands as a testament to his influence on the lives of active transportation users.  His work encompasses a holistic approach that addresses infrastructure, education, and policy enhancements, providing a comprehensive framework to improve safety and access for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Aditya Satish Inamdar, Urban Planner and Designer with Kittleson and Associates was named APBP’s 2023 Private Sector Professional of the Year. Aditya’s outstanding expertise has been, and continues to be, critical in planning, designing, and implementing active transportation systems, especially pedestrian and bicycle facilities, to make streets safe and comfortable for all users.  His mastery in conveying technical matters to the public, community stakeholders, and elected officials secures broad community support and approvals. In addition, Aditya provides educational training and opportunities for developing young professionals and continues to promote racial and social justice in communities through his work.

#  #  #

APBP is a community of practitioners working to create more walkable, bikeable places. We foster peer knowledge sharing, advance technical expertise, and support the professional development of our members. We offer multiple membership levels, and more information can be found at apbp.org.