Norwalk Recognized for Creating Bike- and Pedestrian-Friendly Pathways

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling and the City of Norwalk last month were honored at the Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets Summit in Washington, DC, sponsored by the federal Department of Transportation and Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx.

Norwalk was recognized as one of 14 cities from across the country that have shown the most progress in improving bicycle and pedestrian safety over the past year and a half. The city was the Small City Winner for “Creating Networks,” highlighting the collaboration between Mayor Rilling, the Mayor’s Bike/Walk Taskforce, and the Norwalk Health Department to create the City’s master bicycle plan and to improve the Health Department’s successful NorWALKer Routes program.

“My Bike/Walk Taskforce was formed with a mission of improving bicycling and pedestrian experience throughout the community. Safe streets that all can share improve the quality of life in a community and provide safety for all modes of transportation,” said Mayor Rilling in a statement. “We are proud to be the leader of this endeavor and hopefully serve as a model for others to emulate.”

The Norwalk Health Department’s Health Education Associate and Mayor’s Challenge coordinator Kaitlin Latham accepted the award on behalf of Norwalk at the Summit.

• More information about biking and walking in Norwalk can be found on the Health Department’s website at http://www.norwalkct.org/index.aspx?nid=1629
• Details about the Mayor’s Challenge award recipients can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/mayors-challenge/awards- and-results

Photo: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, left, and Kaitlin Latham, Mayor’s Challenge coordinator and Health Education Associate at the Norwalk Health Department, who accepted the Mayor’s Challenge Award for the City of Norwalk. Photo credit: U.S. Department of Transportation.