Nevada families and schoolchildren are being encouraged to take part in safe walking and bicycling activities this March as part of Nevada Moves Month. The annual event promotes walking and biking to school and other physical activity across the state.
Activities are planned for Washoe, Carson City, Lyon, Douglas, Storey, Clark, and other school districts, primarily in mid-March. Families whose children are not participating in organized school events are encouraged to plan their own walking or bicycling activities at home during Nevada Moves Month and throughout the year.
In one recent year, more than 6,600 students participated in walking and other school-sponsored Nevada Moves Day events.
“Nevada Moves provides an opportunity for children and families to learn more about pedestrian and bicycling safety and to include walking and bicycling into their daily routine,” NDOT Active Transportation Manager Mathew Morris explained. “Walking and bicycling to school helps reduce the number of vehicle trips near schools; this increases safety, reduces congestion, improves air quality, and encourages healthy habits from a young age. Increased physical activity at an early age plays a leading role in reducing heart disease, diabetes, and other obesity-related illnesses. We hope families statewide use Nevada Moves as an opportunity to walk and bicycle together, and to teach children pedestrian and bicycle safety and its health and environmental benefits.”
During Nevada Moves Month and every day, drivers should watch for children walking and bicycling to school or neighborhood bus stops. Drivers should follow school zone speed limits, be aware of varying school start times, and pass bicyclists only when it is safe, with at least three feet of space between the bicycle and the car. Drivers should never overtake a car that has stopped at a crosswalk.
Pedestrians and bicyclists should only cross streets when safe and always look for cars before and while crossing. State law prohibits U-turns or passing in active school zones and school crossing zones.
To learn more, contact NDOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator Chantelle Ewing at (775) 888-3065 or cewing@dot.nv.gov.
Pedestrians and bicyclists’ tips:
Plan your route
Always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter, or skateboard
Stay visible with light or reflective clothing, especially at night
Stay alert, avoid phones and headphones
Walk on sidewalks or face traffic if sidewalks are unavailable
Ride with traffic in streets, obey traffic laws, and use hand signals
Cross at crosswalks when safe
Driver’s tips:
Obey speed limits and drive attentively
Reduce speed near crosswalks and be ready to stop
Stop for pedestrians and bicyclists, waiting until they have fully crossed
Never pass a car stopped at a crosswalk
Leave at least three feet when passing a bicycle
Avoid distracted or impaired driving
