Matt Benjamin, Planner

I love riding my bike. I love working to make the world a better place to ride a bike. After over eight years as a carless bicycle commuter in Los Angeles, I’ve put a lot of miles on my bike. Now I’m ready to put some miles on my tennis shoes, hiking boots and…flip-flops. I’m glad I work for a company that does planning and design on such a wide range of bicycle, pedestrian and trails projects. And I can park my bike in the office.  Go Alta!












Matt Benjamin brings to Alta extensive experience in leading both public outreach and planning efforts. Mr. Benjamin has worked with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He specializes in developing strategies to ensure that the desires of the public and the needs of the client for which he is working are met. He also has experience in GIS mapping, statistical analysis and technical writing.

Recent Projects

  • Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan (Los Angeles)
    Alta recently began working on a major planning effort for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (Metro). The Metro Bicycle Strategic Plan will focus on bicycle transit connections at selected transit hubs, inventory and mapping of existing and proposed facilities, and gap closure along the regional coastal and river bikeway network.
  • Eastside Light Rail Bike Interface Plan
    As the project manager, Mr. Benjamin is leading an effort to develop context-sensitive bicycle infrastructure improvements that will enhance bicycle access to eight new Metro Rail stations. The project includes bikeway planning and design services as well as extensive community outreach.
  • Enhanced Public Outreach Project for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Transportation Plan
    Mr. Benjamin was the project manager for this countywide public outreach and data collection effort. The project included data collection, surveying and GIS mapping with a focus on communities with low income and high transit use. Project findings and recommendations are to be used in the development of Metro’s Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan.
  • MTA Bicycle Parking Plan
    Mr. Benjamin developed Metro’s Bicycle Parking Plan. Tasks included collecting and managing data on bike-transit usage at Metro Rail stations and making recommendations on the design, location and quantity of bicycle parking throughout the Metro Rail system.
Alta recently began working on a major planning effort for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (Metro). The Metro Bicycle Strategic Plan will focus on bicycle transit connections at selected transit hubs, inventory and mapping of existing and proposed facilities, and gap closure along the regional coastal and river bikeway network.
e-mail Matt Benjamin

Professional Highlights

  • Alta Planning + Design, 2004-present
  • Planning and Public Outreach Coordinator, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, 2003-Present.
  • Planning Intern and Bicycle Coordinator, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 2001-2003
  • Research Assistant, Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, 2003
  • Assistant Director/ESL Teacher, International English Institute (Costa Rica), 1999-2000
Education
  • University of California, Los Angeles, M.A. in Urban Planning, 2003.
  • Florida State University, B.A. in International Relations, 1998.
  • University of Costa Rica, studies in Spanish and International Relations, 1997.
Professional Affiliations
  • American Planning Association
  • Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals