Community Active Transportation Program
OVERVIEW
The Community Active Transportation Program is a travel training program for Michiganders ages 18 and over. Developed with SMART, the program teaches participants how to use forms of transportation like public transit and biking. We also teach wayfinding skills.
We recognize that navigating transportation can be hard for people with cognitive disabilities. We strive to help all participants become independent travelers after they leave the program. That means being able to head to school, their job, or just go around town by themselves.
During the program, participants go on trips around their local communities. They volunteer for organizations and advocate for transit. Most importantly, they’ll have a space to build confidence in their own abilities.
Meeting with the Mayor of Warren, James Fouts 
Attending a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) meeting 
Lucinda Means Advocacy Day with the League of Michigan Bicyclist 2018
PROGRAM DETAILS
ELIGIBILITY
Age 18 or older, have a cognitive impairment, and live in Wayne county.
COST
Can be covered by Medicaid. Out of pocket participants are responsible for paying the Medicaid Rate.
LOCATION
Program activities happen throughout Wayne County. Transport is provided to and from your residence.
WHEN
Day programs usually run from 8am to 3pm. Afterschool programs typically run from 3pm to 7pm
HOW TO APPLY
Email Katelyn Walters at katelyn.walters@bikeprogram.org for more information.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
COMMUNITY EXPLORATION
Students volunteer in community gardens, events, festivals, club bike rides, advocacy meetings, and more! To get to these places, students will learn skills for using 3 kinds of transportation:
Fixed route buses
Route planning, paying fares, and knowing when to get off.
Biking
Bike handling skills, community riding.
Walking
Wayfinding with landmarks, knowing what to do when lost.
BIKE MECHANICS
Students will learn bike mechanics on both standard and adaptive bikes. They’ll practice maintaining a variety of bike parts. In doing so, they’ll work up to being able to disassemble and reassemble a bike from scratch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is active transportation?
Active transportation is travel without a car. Walking, cycling, and riding the bus are forms of active transportation. Knowing how to navigate these options is especially important for individuals with disabilities who can’t obtain a drivers license or consistently secure car transport.
Why do you teach fixed route transit?
The fixed route system is flexible, adaptable, and provides opportunities for independence compared to paratransit (which often requires more planning). While the fixed route system can seem overwhelming and out of reach, our students successfully ride fixed route buses through proper training.
What if I get lost when traveling alone?
This is a big fear but it is important to know that anyone can get lost. What is crucial is knowing how to manage that situation. We’ll teach you to backtrack, understand your surroundings, and use nearby landmarks to find your way back.
JOIN THE PROGRAM
Send an email to Katelyn Walters at katelyn.walters@bikeprogram.org to discuss your needs and goals for the program.