UDOT awards bike to Rosecrest student

Rosecrest Elementary third grader Joshua Mangan had a great surprise when Cherissa Wood from UDOT popped into his third grade classroom on Dec. 2. Joshua had been chosen as one of the winners in UDOT’s Walk More in Four contest and Wood was there to present him with a new bike and helmet.

The Walk More in Four contest requires students to walk or bike to school at least three days a week during a specified four-week period early in the school year. The event leads up to the International Walk To School Day that took place on Oct. 5.

Nearly 4,000 students statewide, representing 22 school districts and 67 schools, had students tracking their progress for a chance to win donated prizes that included bikes, scooters and helmets.

“We commend these exemplary students for starting the school year off on the right foot by walking and biking to school and for setting a good example for their peers,” Robert Hull, UDOTdirector of Traffic and Safety said in a press release.”Students who walk and ride their bikes to school not only stay active but also help reduce traffic congestion around schools, making these areas safer.”

Nationwide, the number of students walking and biking to school has dramatically decreased in recent decades. According to UDOT records, in 1969 approximately 50 percent of children walked or biked to school. Today, that number has dropped to less than 15 percent.

The Walk More in Four is part of UDOT’s Student Neighborhood Access Program. This program educates students, parents and school administrators on the benefits of walking and biking to school, focusing on student safety by providing support to schools such as mapping software and assembly presentations.

Throughout the school year, UDOT tries to help parents encourage their children to practice safe walking and biking practices by discussing safety tips such as walking with a buddy or group, always wearing a helmet when riding a bike or scooter and never wearing headphones when walking or riding.