Norwalk Recognized at Safer People, Safer Streets Summit in D.C.

City Receives Award for Creating Safe and Accessible Bike and Pedestrian Networks

Mayor Harry Rilling and the City of Norwalk were honored at the Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets Summit on September 16 in Washington, D.C.

The Mayor’s Challenge Awards, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, recognized 14 cities across the country that have shown the most progress in improving bicycle and pedestrian safety over the past year and a half.

The City of Norwalk was recognized as 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. “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 norwalkct.org/index.aspx?nid=1629. Details about the Mayor’s Challenge award recipients can be found at transportation.gov/mayors-challenge/awards-and-results.

About the Norwalk Department of Health: Under the direction of the mayor, and with valuable guidance from its six-member Board of Health, the Norwalk Health Department provides a variety of services and programs to fulfill its mission: to prevent and control the spread of disease, promote a healthy environment, and protect the quality of life within its changing community. The Immunization Action Plan Program at the Health Department remains diligent in its aim to increase the immunization status of the children younger than 2 years old through its education, outreach and tracking efforts with area physicians and families, and it has broadened its scope to include initiatives to immunize adolescent and adult populations, including influenza vaccinations. The Health Department achieved accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in June 2014, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds national public health standards and commits to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers. More information is available at norwalkhealth.com.