Our Response to #StepItUp? Challenge Accepted
Earlier this week U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a call to action to communities across the United States to to take action and become more walkable. Why? The nation’s top doctor realizes that creating walkable communities is one of the most powerful and equitable ways of encouraging people to develop more active lifestyles.
Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities invites all Americans to take steps to incorporate more walking into our lives. The report doesn’t shy away from the frightening facts noting “only half of American adults and about a quarter of American high school students get the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity.”
Everyone Can Help America Become a More Walkable Nation
This guy gets it. Photo via Wikipedia.
The plan specifically recommends that:
• Workplaces incentivize walking for their employees
• Urban planners design safe and easy places to walk
And as if the video wasn’t endearing enough, the Surgeon General has created a sugary-sweet, upbeat playlist to enjoy while taking a walk. For maximum enjoyment, be sure to imagine Surgeon General Murthy jamming to the included tunes.
How BikePGH Will #StepItUp
Coincidentally, we at BikePGH have some exciting pedestrian advocacy projects that will be launching in the coming weeks and months. Here are some of the ways that we’ll be stepping it up.
- In Steptember/Walktober we’ll be launching a bicyclist education and pedestrian safety campaign in Oakland
- We’ll be advocating for some traffic calming projects across the city in the coming months
- We’re planning an even bigger and better Crossing Guard Appreciation Day next time around
Stay tuned for more updates!
We’re taking over PNC Park on Tuesday, September 15th for Bike(PGH) to the Ballgame. Don’t miss the first-ever free BikePGH bike valet at the ballpark. Use promo code BIKE or the one provided to you by your bike shop.
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