Mayor promotes ‘Nevada Moves Day’ for safe biking and walking to school

By Dave Toplikar

Friday, April 22, 2011 | 11:41 a.m.

Don't be surprised if you see a lot more school children out walking and riding bikes next Wednesday throughout the Las Vegas Valley — in fact, throughout the whole state.

Las Vegas Mayor has proclaimed that date as "Nevada Moves Day" as part of a statewide celebration of the Safe Routes to School program.

"This program is designed to teach parents and students safe routes, while at the same time building the healthy habits of biking and walking," Goodman told reporters during his televised news conference this week.

More than 50 Clark County Schools will participate in the celebration by encouraging students and families to walk or bike to school that day, Goodman said.

"Nevada Moves Day fits in perfectly in with our Healthy Lifestyle initiative that encourages residents to get smart about diet and nutrition, get up and increase activity and get out and identify the parks and recreation centers near them," Goodman said.

Goodman presented the formal "Nevada Moves Day" proclamation to Robin Munier, from Look Out Kids About, and Cheryl Wagner, coordinator of Safe Routes to School program for the Clark County School District.

"We encourage all of our children, parents and community leaders to walk or bike to work and school," Goodman said.

Goodman said he plans to be part of the event before school at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Rose Warren Elementary School, 6451 Brandywine Way.

"We teach not only the healthy aspects, but the safety aspects," Goodman said.

Wagner said that last year, the program's state coordinator, Rebecca Kapular, who works with the Nevada Department of Transportation, came up with the idea of making a special day for Nevada to recognize the program.

"This is our second annual Nevada Moves Day and we're real excited about it," Wagner said. "Last year we had about 15 schools district-wide participate. This year we have over 50."

Wagner said the infrastructure that is being developed around the city in terms of sidewalks and bike paths around the schools and throughout the city is conducive to the program.

"Your public works department has been phenomenal as far as our school district and school zones and any questions or issues about safety and making those walking routes even better for our kids has been great," she said.

On another healthy lifestyle promotion, Goodman said that on Saturday, April 30, he would be over at Kellog Zaher Sports Complex, 7901 W. Washington Ave. at Cimarron Road, for a 1.7-mile walk. The walk begins at 8 a.m.

"Everybody in the community is welcome to join us. They bring their children. They bring their dogs. They bring their tortoises — everything. It's a lot of fun," he said.