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Leave your keys behind and take a hike—or ride a bike. You’ll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle, and by filling out a simple scorecard you could also be eligible to win prizes like a $150 MasterCard gift card.
It’s all part of the Walk and Roll Challenge, a program sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Health Department and partners to promote walking and biking as viable alternative forms of transportation and fitness.
The challenge begins March 30 and ends April 25. Participants use a scorecard to track the frequency and duration of the physical activity they engage in during the challenge.
"Walking and biking can lead to health benefits such as improved circulation, enhanced cardiovascular health, exercise of muscles to keep them toned, better respiratory function and decreased obesity," said Steven R. Katkowsky, M.D., District Director of Health. "Of course, everyone should consult his or her primary medical care provider before beginning any exercise program."
Each day, participants are to write down how many minutes they are physically active, with the goal being at least 30 minutes per day, most days of the week. If a participant fills in 20 or more squares during the four-week program, he or she will be eligible to win prizes, including the grand gift card.
Any time a participant chooses to walk or bike to a destination instead of driving, he or she should fill in the star for that day in the scorecard. More stars also mean a better chance to win prizes.
"When people walk or bike, they have a better chance of connecting to others in the community," said Katkowsky. "A walk to the library to return a book might allow you to visit with neighbors working in their yards or children outside playing. Plus, you get the benefits of being physically active while running your day-to-day errands."
Scorecards are available in newspaper inserts in the Community Recorder newspapers on March 19, from the Erlanger branch of the Kenton County Public Library, the Newport or Fort Thomas branches of the Campbell County Public Library, from Reser Bicycle in Newport, or from local Remke Markets. Scorecards are also available here.
During the Walk and Roll Challenge, there will be classes and workshops on bike maintenance and repair, bike and pedestrian safety skills, how to bike safely in traffic, and building the "40 Developmental Assets" in young people in the community.
Three bike events are scheduled during the challenge-the Newport Bike Celebration on April 25, the Fort Thomas Mountain Bike Race on April 26, and the Erlanger 5K Bike Ride on May 3. The calendar of events can be found here.
For additional information on Walk and Roll, please visit http://www.nkyhealth.org/ or call Marsha Bach or Kelly Schwegman with the Health Department at (859)341-4264.
The Health Department and these cities and coalitions--Bike Newport, the City of Erlanger, the City of Fort Thomas, the City of Newport, and Step Forward Erlanger--have joined together to put on the Walk and Roll Challenge.
