I was drawn to this field for the positive changes that transportation planners can make to create less road-centric cities and (sub)urban sprawl. This led me to non-motorized planning and helping people walk and bicycle more often. Personally, I love being able to cruise around town or down a path on my bike. I enjoy this experience much like the feeling I get from surfing: an exhilarating low-impact rush. Working to help others enjoy what I enjoy is the best part of my job. When one of my projects finally passes through a city council or a planning commission, I know that I have helped people get out to walk or bike.
Matt Lasky joined Alta in September 2006. He brings strong skills in transportation planning, data analysis, report writing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Alta. Since joining Alta, he has managed bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, Safe Routes to School plans, and trail feasibility studies. Prior to his work at Alta, Matt developed 11 routine accommodation policies adopted by the San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Matt received a Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University.
Recent Projects
- San Benito County Bikeway and Pedestrian Master Plan
Matt managed Alta's update of the San Benito County Bikeway and Pedestrian Master Plan. This Plan was produced for the San Benito Council of Governments (COG) and then adopted by the County and the COG's two incorporated cities Hollister and San Juan Bautista. The planning process included two public meetings, interviews with stakeholders, coordination with the COG Bicycle Advisory Committee, and a comprehensive inventory of existing conditions. This Plan included a number of bicycle and pedestrian improvement recommendations for the region's small town and rural land uses and roadway network as well as a reference toolkit for safe routes to school projects and programs. - Alameda County Safe Routes to School Program
Alta is working with the TransForm, formally Transportation and Land Use Coalition, to conduct Walking Audits and Conceptual Improvement Plans for schools in Alameda County. Matt has managed this project that has continued over the past three years. Alta continues to provide walking audit expertise and develop improvement plans for elementary and middle schools. Due to the success of this Program and Alta's role in the engineering improvements recommended near schools, the City of Berkeley received California State funds for projects' implementation. - Sacramento County Bicycle Master Plan
Matt managed Alta's contract for the Sacramento County Bicycle Master Plan. Sacramento County is geographically large county in central California and has land uses and development patterns that range from rural to urban. Matt's leadership on this project included a planning and policy review for the County comparing best bicycle planning practices from over 20 jurisdictions and professional organizations and their relationship to bikeway projects and programs in Sacramento County. Matt managed Alta's public outreach process including the six public workshops and bicycle user survey. Lastly, Alta managed the feasibility analysis for the Plan's priority bike paths and railroad and highway overcrossings developing project sheets for future funding applications. - San Carlos Holly St 101 Interchange Improvements
This Study analyzed a reconfiguration of the Holly Street/Highway 101 interchange and recommended improvements to the connecting Holly Street corridor in San Carlos. Alta's portion of the project was studying the bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the study area. Matt managed this project for Alta focusing on non-motorized users’ safety and developed design treatments for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Matt also led a walking tour of the area with the City's Transportation and Circulation Commission, City Staff, and study area neighbors. Project recommendations included travel lane modifications, intersection improvements, and new bicycle facilities on routes parallel to Holly Street. - Solano Transportation Authority Countywide Safe Routes to School Plan
Alta led this countywide safe routes to school plan in Solano County, California working with the Solano Transportation Authority. Alta helped develop a project Steering Committee and seven Task Forces in the county's jurisdictions. Working with local parents and teachers, Matt managed walking audits at each of the seven pilot schools. With results from these audits and evening meetings, improvement plans were developed for the schools. Alta took the individual improvement plans and combined them into one countywide plan. Matt managed this planning effort that includes priorities and implementation measures for making these improvements reality. The STA SR2S Plan won a regional American Planning Association award for its grassroots process. - Milpitas Bikeway Master Plan Update
Alta is working with the City of Milpitas to update its Bikeway Master Plan. The City of Milpitas is located in the Bay Area’s Santa Clara County. The City has unique opportunities to develop a comprehensive trail system along its canal corridors and expand its existing on-street bikeway network. Alta is working with the City’s advisory committee and staff to prioritize the most feasible options. - O'ahu Bicycle Master Plan Update
Alta worked with the City and County of Honolulu to update their Bicycle Master Plan. The County of Honolulu encompasses the island of O'ahu that varies in land use and topography from the dense urban city center of Honolulu to the rural character of the North Shore. Alta developed a transit station footprint that includes bike facilities for the proposed rail system. Alta also helped lead island-wide public workshops and provided input for the recommended bikeway system and Plan update. - Marin Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program
Alta is working with the County of Marin on its Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program. The Pilot Program is the result of a $25 million federal grant to the County to increase the number of residents walking and biking. Alta is working with the County to implement a variety of encouragement, education, and safety programs and engineering projects to help the county make this modal shift. - Fremont Pedestrian Master Plan
Beginning in 2006, Alta developed Fremont’s Pedestrian Master Plan. This project consisted of an inventory of existing conditions -including curb ramps, sidewalks and street crossings- as well as public workshops to help develop project and program recommendations. The Plan includes a prioritized list of projects and the final recommendations focus on enhancing pedestrian safety in crosswalks and along streets, and provides a blueprint for improving residents’ quality of life, creating a more sustainable environment, and reducing traffic, noise and energy consumption.
