A Walk Through Pedestrian Safety Month

Although Best Foot Forward (BFF) never needs an excuse to educate about pedestrian safety, October’s Pedestrian Safety Month provided us one. BFF staff and partners were happy to be back out at several International Walk to School Day events, National Night Out, farmers markets and even a “BearFest” and “Spooktacular.” Below are some highlights and photos.

International Walk to School

The first Wednesday each October is International Walk-to-School Day, when families around the world are encouraged to ditch the car and walk or bike to school. The hope is that the day will encourage people to walk on other days as well. Best Foot Forward joined partners at several schools on Walk-to-School Day to show support and share safety information. Check out some of the smiling faces that a walk to school can bring!

Evans High School Lunch Bunch

Best Foot Forward set up a table at Evans High School the day before Walk to School Day to discuss pedestrian safety around their school and in their communities. Students stopped by the BFF table during their lunch time to chat and picked up educational info.  Students also participated in a “Why I walk…”  and “Why I don’t walk…” poster activity.

Students were happy to receive BWCF flashing lights to increase visibility during the dark mornings as they walk to school. Some students shared that they used to ride their bike to school, but since bike theft in the community is prevalent, they no longer have a bike to ride.

Numerous Evans students must cross the busy, surrounding roads as they walk to school. Students running across Silver Star and Pine Hills Road at mid-block and through traffic is problematic. BFF has made plans to follow-up with the guidance counselor for a student leadership pedestrian safety education program.

Kissimmee Farmers’ Market

There was a touch of fall in the air and a steady flow of attendees to the Kissimmee Main Street Farmers’ Market. Best Foot Forward’s Roni Wood hosted a table at their great new location in front of the Kissimmee Civic Center. She reminded attendees that as the as the days become shorter and the changes, that brings a whole new concern for pedestrian safety after dark.  She reminded them to wear light clothing, use sidewalks and always cross in a crosswalk. Adults were reminded to yield for pedestrians before the crosswalk or they could face a violation of $166.  Roni also reminded them to expect the unexpected after dark and always be alert.

National Night Out

National Night Out provides a natural venue for Best Foot Forward to share pedestrian and bicycling information. This year, BFF was out at Fairview Shores Library on Lee Road. The event included live music, mobile vaccinations and great community partners coming together to offer resources and education to make our streets & neighborhoods safer.

5^th Annual Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Spooktacular

The weather didn’t scare us away from another spectacular Spooktacular. Hundreds of vehicles lined up following a day of downpouring rain to experience the event which was a huge success as the night skies cleared just in time.  Best Foot Forward was there waving to attendees and sharing the #iY4Peds sign and pedestrian safety tips for a safe Halloween. Best Foot Forward partner Seminole County Sheriff’s Office & vendors dressed up in costume and decorated their table/tents to a spooky theme for this drive-thru event.

OktoberBEARfest in Horizon West

Bears Who Care hosted a Family 5k and 1k in the fast-growing area of Horizon West and Hamlin. Best Foot Forward (BFF) partners Bike/Walk Central Florida and Children’s Safety Village spoke with dozens of families about safely using the multi-use trails in their area, walking/biking to school, and other pedestrian and bicycling safety tips. High-speed traffic and drivers not paying attention to people walking and bicycling was a common complaint.