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UDOT Student Neighborhood Access Program
(SNAP)™ has a challenge called “Walk More in Four” where students in Utah K-8
are encouraged to walk or bike to school at least three days a week during the
four weeks in September. Students can win prizes, such as a scooter, helmet or
bike. Also, schools who register by Sept. 7 and have the highest participation
percentage will win a $500 prize and Golden Tennis Shoe trophy. Second- and
third- place will be awarded $250 and $100, respectively.
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We kicked off the
Walk More in Four challenge today at Highland Park Elementary in Salt Lake. The
official challenge starts Sept. 4 and goes through Sept. 27.
The Walk More in Four challenge objectives are to
encourage safe walking and biking practices, promote healthy habits among kids,
as well as to keep the roads clearer to reduce air pollution and cars on the
road – all resulting in a safer environment for our children. (Information about
Walk More in Four can be found here: http://www.udot.utah.gov/snap/parent/walkmorein4.php)
More information
about the Walk More in Four challenge and kickoff event is below. We also have a SNAP Facebook page that provides safety tips and
resources for parents about walking and biking to school safely. You and your
readers can check that out here: https://www.facebook.com/UDOTSNAP.
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Students at Highland
Park Elementary Kick Off Statewide Safe Walking and Biking to School
Challenge
UDOT’s “Walk More in
Four” challenge offers the chance for schools to win $500, students to win bikes
and scooters
SALT LAKE
CITY
— Students at Highland Park Elementary today pledged to walk and bike safely to
school this year as part of the UDOT Student Neighborhood Access Program (SNAP)™
“Walk More in Four” challenge.
To promote walking
and biking safely to school, UDOT launched its annual statewide challenge. Walk
More in Four encourages all Utah K-8 students to walk or bike to school at least
three days each week during the four weeks in September.
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Students chart their
progress for a chance to win prizes including bikes, scooters and helmets. The
school with the highest percentage of students participating will win $500 to be
used by its safety committee, along with the Golden Tennis Shoe, a traveling
trophy. Schools must pre-register for the competition by Sept. 7 (complete
details and official rules are available at
udot.utah.gov/snap).
“Walking or biking to
school at the start of the school year is a great way for students to develop
and continue safe and healthy habits,” said Robert Hull, UDOT director of
traffic and safety. “Students who walk or bike to school not only stay active
and increase brain power during the day, but also reduce traffic congestion
around schools, making these areas safer.”
The Walk More in Four
progress chart is available for students to download at udot.utah.gov/snap. All
participating students who complete the challenge and return their chart to UDOT
by Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, will be eligible for the drawing for prizes,
beginning Friday, Oct. 5, 2012.
Students unable to
walk to school due to distance can still participate by practicing safe habits
while walking or biking in their neighborhoods. Throughout Walk More in Four and
during the school year, parents can help their children practice safe walking
and biking habits by discussing the following safety tips:
·
Follow the safest
route using the school’s SNAP Map (contact the school for a
copy)
·
Walk with a buddy or
group
·
Walk on sidewalks
where possible
·
Look left, then
right, then left again when crossing a street
·
Cross the street only
at crosswalks. Obey directions from school crossing guards and walk bikes and
scooters across crosswalks
·
Always wear a helmet
when riding a bike. Make sure the helmet has a safety certification and fits
properly
·
Wear bright clothing,
especially when riding a bicycle, to make it easier for traffic to see you — or
tie a bright handkerchief around your backpack
·
Never walk or ride
while wearing headphones. They are distracting and make it difficult to hear
traffic
More tips and
resources are available to parents and school administrators at
udot.utah.gov/snap.
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About
SNAP
The Utah
Department of Transportation (UDOT) Student Neighborhood Access Program (SNAP)™
is a fun and comprehensive program for walking and biking safely to school that
engages and educates students, parents, school administrators, crossing guards
and communities. As part of the federal Safe Routes to School program
administered by UDOT, SNAP focuses on student safety as its first priority. SNAP
provides free resources, including mapping software, a 35-minute musical
assembly and DVD, student activity booklets and teacher lesson plans, to
encourage students to walk and bike safely to school. More information about
SNAP is available at udot.utah.gov/snap or by contacting Utah’s Safe Routes to
School Coordinator, Cherissa Wood, at 801-965-4486 or cwood@utah.gov.
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