Safe Routes Utah Blog

Crossing guard in yellow safety vest holds stop sign while people cross street at crosswalk on sunny day with mountains visible in background.

Walking in the Winter has Surprising Benefits

When winter arrives in Utah, it’s easy to default to driving your kids to school. The frosty air, icy sidewalks, and snow make the car seem like the coziest option. However, encouraging your child to walk to school, even in the cold, can have surprising benefits. Bundling up and taking a walk outside can boost their physical and mental health, build resilience, and teach safety skills.

Two young children, a boy and a girl, are dressed as a calaveras skeletons for Halloween. They are ready to trick or treat for candy while holding illuminated Jack O' Lanterns in a local residential neighborhood. Image taken in Utah, USA.

Review These Pedestrian Basics for Halloween

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for kids, filled with costumes, candy, and adventure with friends. However, with all the fun comes an important responsibility: staying safe. Here are some essential tips to keep your kids safe while trick-or-treating.

White text FAQ: What is the WALK & ROLL CHALLENGE on orange background with walking person and scooter rider icons integrated into letters

FAQ: Walk & Roll Challenge 

The Safe Routes Walk & Roll Challenge encourages students to walk, bike, or roll to school safely, with fun prizes for participation. Walking, biking, or rolling to and from school isn’t just fun, it also promotes physical wellness, improves cognitive abilities, teaches critical social skills, encourages independence, and lowers anxiety and depression. Additionally, it cuts down on traffic around school zones and helps improve our air quality!

A crossing guard in bright yellow safety vest stands with a young student on a sidewalk near a stop sign, both waving at the camera.

A Champion for Traffic Safety

Safety has always been a big priority in the Jones household, so it was no surprise when Lincoln chose to research the history of the traffic light for his history project. Lincoln lives by a busy road and has witnessed many cars passing by his house daily. He has also heard many sirens rushing by to attend to crashes at the intersection close by. These observations, along with his mom being a crossing guard, sparked his interest in the importance of traffic lights and their role in preventing crashes.

A small group of school-aged children are seen swimming in an indoor pool during a lesson. They are each wearing swimsuits and smiling as they tread water.

Active All Summer: Summer Programs to Keep Kids Moving

Backpacks have been thrown into the closet, pens and pencils have been stowed away until next year, and school is officially out for summer! But, just because the school year has come to an end, doesn’t mean that you have to be cooped up in your house all summer long. Here are some fun, accessible activities and programs to help your kids stay active this summer.

Mom with son on double bike

Walk & Roll Challenge Winner Spotlight: Ella

Here at Safe Routes Utah, one of the best parts of the Walk & Roll Challenge is giving out prizes to kids and parents who walk or roll to school. We love seeing their smiles and knowing they love walking, biking or rolling to school as much as we do. Lauren and her daughter Ella, were one of many we’ve awarded so far this year. 

Boy wearing helmet and holding bike he won

Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Child’s Bike Gear 

It’s important to check if your child is due for a new helmet or better fitting bike regularly. How do you know when it’s time to upgrade your child’s helmet and their bike? Let’s talk about a few ways you can tell.

Crossing guard and children crossing the road

What To Wear When Walking In The Winter

Winter is here, and nothing is worse than going outside and realizing you didn’t dress warm enough! So now it’s time to master the art of bundling up so you and your kids can stay warm when you walk or bike to school. Grab your winter gear because we’ve got some tips to make sure you and your little ones are dressed properly for the cold weather.

Two young children, a boys and a girl, are dressed as a skeleton and Frankenstein for Halloween. They are ready to trick or treat for candy while holding illuminated Jack O' Lanterns in a local residential neighborhood. Image taken in Utah, USA.

Shine Bright on Halloween: A Guide to Make Sure Your Child is Seen 

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, Halloween approaches, bringing with it the excitement and anticipation of trick-or-treating. While it’s a day meant for fun and festivities, it is also an important day to prioritize safety, especially when it comes to your little trick-or-treaters. With the days growing shorter and the sun setting earlier, here are some tips to make sure that your child is seen while they are out on Halloween.

Pedestrian safety month text on ribbon

Green Ribbon Month Is Pedestrian Safety Month

In Utah, September is Pedestrian Awareness Month, also known as Green Ribbon Month. Many schools take the month to educate students and drivers about pedestrian safety, and of course, we are always on board with teaching pedestrian safety. 

Traffic safety scavenger hunt

Traffic Safety Scavenger Hunt

Our safety scavenger hunt will help students embark on a fun-filled adventure, learning vital safety tips in an engaging and memorable way. From identifying safe crossing points and understanding traffic signals, to practicing how to walk to school safely. The safety scavenger hunt helps children develop practical life skills that extend beyond the school environment, while giving parents the opportunity to discuss safety and peace of mind knowing their student is equipped in safe walking/biking practices.