Mayor Walsh Appoints City of Boston's First Active Transportation Director

BOSTON - Friday, July 31, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Stefanie Seskin as the City of Boston's first Active Transportation Director. She will be responsible for implementing new initiatives to create people-friendly designs and programs that encourage and sustain active transportation options and lifestyles. Currently serving as the Deputy Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition in Washington, D.C., Stefanie Seskin will begin her new position in Boston on August 17.

"Boston is an active city and we are continuing to invest in our pedestrian and bike infrastructure, encouraging residents to think creatively about how they get from point A to point B," said Mayor Walsh. "Stefanie brings leadership and talent to this new position, and I thank her for her willingness to serve."

"I am excited to take on this new position as Active Transportation Director for the Boston Transportation Department, and I am grateful to Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Fiandaca to be given this opportunity," said Seskin. "I love seeing so many people who already walk and bike around the city, and I look forward to working with residents to make Boston even more walk- and bike-friendly."

Boston's new Active Transportation Director will oversee the Boston Bikes and Neighborhood Slow Streets programs, and reenergize the City's nationally recognized Complete Streets initiative. Boston Bikes will manages the design and installation of bike facilities, supervises the Hubway bike-share program, and mobilizes community-based projects, such as the Youth Cycling Program which provides on-bike instruction in Boston Public Schools, and Keep it Rolling which offers free bike repair for low-income Boston residents.

In addition, the Active Transportation Director will propose new projects and coordinate the review of existing projects that enhance pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. She will work directly with community and advocacy groups with a focus on spreading the benefits of new projects equally to all of Boston's neighborhoods. Her work will complement Go Boston 2030 - the ongoing citywide mobility plan as well as Vision Zero and Green Links. 

"We are looking forward to welcoming Stefanie to our Policy and Planning team at the Boston Transportation Department," said Transportation Commissioner Gina Fiandaca. "She will work closely with our partners in federal, state and local government, Boston residents, the City's business community and various advocacy groups, to fulfill our commitment to design streets that are welcoming and safe for all users."

"The Public Works Department works with the Boston Transportation Department on joint initiatives designed to benefit all users of Boston's local streets," said Interim Commissioner of Public Works Michael Dennehy. "Stefanie's extensive experience with transportation planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations will be a welcome addition on these initiatives."

"WalkBoston is thrilled to welcome Stephanie Seskin as Boston's first Active Transportation Director," said Wendy Landman, Executive Director of WalkBoston. "She will bring a wealth of knowledge, a national perspective and enormous energy to the task of making Boston an even better place to walk and bike."

Seskin graduated with a bachelor of arts from Vassar College and a Master's Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Chicago. In 2012, she was honored as the Young Professional of the Year by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.