Nevada schoolchildren can take part in Nevada Moves activities in March
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:20pm
Nevada families and schoolchildren are encouraged to take part in safe walk or bicycle activities in March to celebrate Nevada Moves Month.
As an annual event, Nevada Moves promotes safe walking and biking to school, as well as other physical activity. More than 6,600 students took part in walking and other school-sponsored Nevada Moves Day events last year.
Walking and other physical activities are planned for Clark, Washoe, Carson City, Lyon, Douglas, Storey and other school districts across the state again this year, primarily during mid-March. Families whose children are not taking part in organized school events are encouraged to enjoy a safe walking or bicycling activity as a family during Nevada Moves Month and throughout the year.
“Nevada Moves gives children and families a prime opportunity to learn more about pedestrian and bicycling safety,” NDOT Multimodal Planning Assistant Chief Rebecca Kapuler explained. “Walking or biking to school can cut traffic congestion from children being driven to school. It is also healthy. Physical activity at an early age, such as walking or bicycling, helps reduce heart disease, diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses and studies show that active students arrive to school ready to learn. We hope families will use Nevada Moves as an opportunity to transform walking and bicycling to school into their daily routine.”
During Nevada Moves Month and every day, drivers should watch for children walking and bicycling to school or a neighborhood bus stop and be mindful of school zone speed reductions, as well as varying school start times. Motorists should also only pass bicyclists when it is safe with at least three feet of space between the bicycle and vehicle and never overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. Pedestrians and bicyclists should only cross streets when safe, and always look for vehicles before and while crossing. Per state law, no U-turns or passing are allowed in active school zones or school crossing zones.
To learn more, contact NDOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator Katinka Rauch at (775) 888-7357 or krauch@dot.nv.gov.
PEDESTRIANS/BICYCLISTS
— Plan your route.
— Always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or skateboard.
— Stay visible. Wear light and bright colored clothing.If you must be out at night, wear reflective clothing.
— Stay alert. Put your phone down and do not wear headphones.
— Walk on sidewalks. If no sidewalks are available, ensure safe distance between yourself and passing vehicles and walk facing traffic.
— If riding in the street; please ride with traffic, obey traffic laws and use proper hand signals. Children can ride their bicycle on the sidewalk.
— When possible, cross at a crosswalk. Only cross when safe to do so. Make sure all cars have stopped before crossing.
DRIVERS
— Always drive attentively and obey the speed limit.
— When approaching crosswalks, reduce speed and be prepared to stop.
— Stop for pedestrians and bicyclists and wait for them to cross completely.
— Never pass a car that has stopped at a cross walk.
— When passing a bicycle please allow for at least three feet of clearance between the vehicle and bicyclist.
