This week, we hosted a vibrant and insightful webinar exploring the groundbreaking work of the Urban Cycling Institute happening in Bentonville, Arkansas: a small city setting a powerful example in active transportation development. The event drew strong engagement, with many participants tuning in from Bentonville itself, sharing enthusiastic shoutouts and perspectives in the chat. Their reflections on the city’s transformation and political momentum underscored the local pride and commitment behind this evolving mobility landscape.
The webinar centered around findings from the Urban Cycling Institute’s case study in Bentonville, which analyzed how cycling infrastructure is being developed and how organizations like City Thread influence local capacity for cycling. City Thread, a nonprofit devoted to advancing equitable, people-centered mobility in U.S. cities, plays a key role in Bentonville’s progress.
Jessica Pearson, coalition manager of the Bentonville Moves Coalition, joined as a guest speaker to discuss how the coalition brings together local stakeholders to advocate for a safer, more connected transportation network. Jessica also explained why she doesn't call the coalition a cycling coalition. Moderators and lead researchers and guided the discussion, sharing insights from their fieldwork and research process. “We were honored to be joined by many Bentonvillers, who already helped shape the research by giving their time and insights during the field visit and online interviews,” Lilian shares her appreciation for the strong turnout from Bentonville participants.
The Bentonville case has emerged as a compelling model for other cities looking to understand and replicate successful strategies in active transportation planning and implementation. From strong community engagement to collaborative political action, the city offers a real-world example of how transformation takes root and gains momentum.
📽 Watch and share on Youtube
If you missed the live session or would like to revisit the discussion, you can watch the recording and share it with your network through our Youtube channel:
Save the Date 📆 for World Bicycle Day 🚲💚 June 3rd
Join us for our next webinar on World Bicycle Day! Together with Christian Ratering (Renkum Municipality) and
(Urban Cycling Institute), we’ll spotlight the city of Renkum, a standout example of people-first mobility policy. We’ll explore their innovative approach and their ongoing 2025 plan, titled “Connecting Roads: Mobility Vision and Plan for Emerging Generations and Aging with Dignity.” Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from their experience!
Explore Urban Cycling Institute’s webinars:
Learn more:
Study Finds Barriers to Cycling in the World’s Cycling Capital
How immersive learning creates mental shifts for policymakers from rural France
Do more:
Join the Cycling Research Board Annual Meeting 2025 in Amsterdam!
Buy our newly released Manifesto for Cycling Futures
Support Urban Cycling Institute by becoming a paid Member
Book a bike tour with us to learn more about how Amsterdam is approaching cycling and mobility
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