5/4/2012
ITD asks drivers to “Think Outside the Car” during National Bike Month
BOISE – May brings flowers to Idaho’s landscape and more bicycle and pedestrian traffic to state highways and local roads so the Idaho Transportation Department is kicking off a campaign to get drivers to “THINK Outside the Car.”
The campaign will help remind drivers that more bicyclists and pedestrians are sharing the road and that all road users need to be responsible for their own personal safety whether they choose to drive, walk or bike.
May is also National Bike Month, with the first-ever National Bike to School Day set for May 9.
“Events like Bike to School Day helps build connections between families, schools and the broader community, and encourages families to THINK Outside the Car,” said Jo O’Connor, ITD Safe Routes to School coordinator.
Bike to School Day helps raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking, which benefits communities. Safer routes can help reduce school transportation costs, increase physical activity among children, and reduce traffic congestion and fuel consumption.
“Through Safe Routes to School funding, schools across Idaho are teaching bicycle safety classes and holding bicycle rodeos to teach students how to ride safely on Idaho roads,” O’Connor said.
Local Safe Routes to School representatives will lead “Bike Trains” in Moscow, Lewiston, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Meridian, Driggs, Wood River, and Kimberly.
Registered schools and communities will be entered into a drawing to win a bike rack. Learn how to win one of the bike racks, organize events, map routes, and register a school’s event at www.walkbiketoschool.org.