Ms. Leslie is a San Diego native who graduated from UCSD and SDSU. She began her journey with Circulate as a Planning Intern and has transitioned exceptionally to a full time Assistant Planner. She is passionate about creating more equitable communities throughout the San Diego region, which she believes can be created through public transportation.
During her free time Leslie likes to run as well as attend soccer and baseball games. She also likes to explore San Diego by finding and trying out new coffee shops.
Leslie Aparicio's activity stream
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Leslie Aparicio published PRESS RELEASE National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day is October 7 in Press Room 2026-10-07 10:30:47 -0700
PRESS RELEASE National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day is October 7
For Immediate Release
October 7, 2026
Contact: Carlisle Dockery,
(619) 544-9255 | [email protected]
National Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day is Here
Help our community champion safe trips to school
San Diego, Calif. – This October 7, Circulate Planning & Policy encourages schools, families and students to join in this year’s National Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day to support and reinforce healthy and safe travel habits for children heading to and from school.
“This annual event is a reminder that students biking and walking to school safely is a shared commitment,” Colin Parent, Circulate CEO said. “It also reinforces the need for drivers to slow down, stay alert and look out for children using crosswalks, sidewalks and bike lanes to get to school. Every safe choice helps protect students who rely on these routes every day.”
With increased foot and bike traffic, it’s important to stay alert not just this National Walk, Bike and Roll Day, but every day. Drivers should be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street, and slow down in school zones.
Circulate offers tips for students who walk, bike or roll to school:
- Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from heavy vehicle traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- If you are riding a bike, always ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as vehicles.
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet when riding or rolling.
- Use crosswalks at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets.
- Always look left-right-left before crossing the street.
- Stay alert. Avoid electronic devices that take your eyes off the road.
Schools are encouraged to register atwalkbiketoschool.orgas a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, and safe transportation.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Leslie Aparicio published Nature in Motion: Urban Greening as a Traffic Solution in Planning Reports 2026-07-15 11:01:26 -0700
Nature in Motion: Urban Greening as a Traffic Solution
Report Summary
Urban greening and traffic calming are essential strategies for more sustainable urban environments. Urban greening involves the strategic integration of trees, landscaping, green infrastructure, and other nature-based solutions. These interventions can improve air quality, mitigate urban heat, manage stormwater, and enhance biodiversity. Traffic calming focuses on reducing vehicle speeds, which improves traffic flow and safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. When combined, these approaches create safer and more sustainable mobility.
This Urban Greening and Traffic Calming Toolkit provides practical guidance to implement cost-effective and rapid solutions across San Diego County. Examples include:
- Landscaped medians: Separate traffic lanes, create pedestrian refuge islands, and naturally slow vehicles. Case studies show reductions in speeding and crashes.
- Landscaped roundabouts: Improve safety by reducing pedestrian exposure while serving as community landmarks.
- Street trees: Provide visual narrowing to encourage slower driving, improve airquality, and offer shade.
- Planter-protected bike lanes: Enhance cyclist safety by providing physical separation from vehicles using planters.
- Parklets, green walls, vertical gardens, and rain gardens: Engage residents, increase green space and improve water management by enhancing the overall aesthetic, and ecological value of streets.
These strategies empower local governments and residents to collaboratively create vibrant and sustainable streetscapes. By integrating urban greening with traffic calming measures, San Diego communities can improve public safety and environmental resilience to enhance quality of life while advancing towards urban development that is equitable and climate-resilient.
