The AU PARTNER Program helps communities create safe, useful, and enjoyable active walking and bicycling routes to everyday destinations. While the PARTNER Program can be used in communities of all sizes, it was specifically developed to support small and medium-sized communities. As such, the PARTNER Program provides many open-source and easy-to-use resources to engage with community members, as well as develop plans for improving community safety, livability, and economic development. These resources have been successfully implemented in counties across Alabama through Auburn University’s Thriving Communities initiative. This program was developed by experts from two recognized programs at Auburn University: the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The PARTNER Program Process

The PARTNER Program is a innovative, equity-based, and step-by-step process that anyone can use to work with their local community to do the following:

• Identify unique walking and bicycling improvements that are specific to local needs.
• Document concerns, needs, experience, and benefits.
• Pursue funding to help implement these improvements.

PARTNER Resource Tools for Decision-Making

No matter your community’s experience with walking and cycling, these resource tools can help in this process. Check out community resources on the PARTNER Program’s website, www.aupartnerprogram.com/.

• Learn about active travel.
• Focus attention on critical areas.
• Select preferred improvements.
• Work with local leadership to turn these plans into reality.

PARTNER Actions Plans & Implementation

Once your community has decided on the walking and/or bicycling improvements they want to make, it is time to work with local leadership to pursue funding to implement that change. Visit the PARTNER Program’s website to see action plans communities already developed using the program and learn about opportunities for funding.

Technical Assistance for PARTNERS​

The Auburn University team includes outreach, community intervention, and active travel design experts. Reach out if you have any questions to help implement the PARTNER Program in your community.​ The team has spent years working with rural Alabama communities and would love to share their experiences to help support other communities.

Become a PARTNER

Visit AU PARTNER Program website to connect with a team member and become a partner in creating safer routes to improve health in Alabama communities.