The Nevada Department of Transportation and the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition hosted the 14th Annual Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit on November 9th at the MontBleu Resort at Lake Tahoe. Summit discussions included everything from Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, to building Safe Routes to School, to Complete Streets training.
“This annual summit is truly the state’s foremost event for bicycling and walking enthusiasts, advocates, engineers, administrators, educators, and consultants,” NDOT Assistant Chief of Multi-Modal Planning and Program Development Bill Story explained. “People understand that bicycling and walking provide many benefits to health, congestion mitigation and air quality; not to mention ease of finding a parking spot. And this summit provides resources and information to further those benefits in Nevada.”
Nevada bicycling and pedestrian supporters were recognized during the Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board’s annual awards program at the Summit. The awards recognize individuals, agencies, and groups for improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities, safety, and advocacy throughout Nevada. “Bicycling and walking offer many benefits,” board treasurer Denis Coyne said. “It can make us healthier. Biking and walking also helps connect our communities and reduce congestion and vehicle emissions. Whether government agencies or individuals, these award recipients have helped give our state more means of transportation by promoting and integrating safe walking and bicycling into our communities.”
With proven environmental, economic and health benefits, the public demand for bicycling and walking opportunities is growing. Bicycling and pedestrian planning across the state has created a surge of public interest in bicycling and walking, with more than half of vehicle users surveyed saying they would drive less if other forms of commuting were available.
The Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board was created by the Nevada Legislature to advise state agencies on policies, programs and facilities, and to promote programs and facilities that encourage the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians in the state. More information is available at (775) 888-7433 (RIDE) or by visiting www.bicyclenevada.com.
