Winter Walkoff 2012—every day in February!

Winter can be a tough time for staying motivated to get outside and keep active. What better month, then, to encourage walking, whether indoors or out?

Minneapolis & Saint Paul, MN,  January 26, 2012--The 2012 Winter Walkoff campaign launches February 1. Primarily a social media campaign, the Winter Walkoff encourages people to walk at least once per day during the month of February and post about it on Twitter using the hash tag #winterwalkoff. The Winter Walkoff also helps promote activities in February that encourage people to get outside & keep moving during the winter months.

According to the American Community Survey, more people walk to work in the Twin Cities than bicycle (5-6% walk in Minneapolis and Saint Paul versus 2-4% who bicycle). Bike Walk Twin Cities' monthly counts show that most people (74%) keep walking all year round.

The benefits of regular walking are tremendous. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and help manage weight and diabetes. Walking also improves your mood. When we choose to walk or use a wheelchair to get around we ease traffic congestion, conserve energy, preserve the environment and contribute to the quality of life in our community. In a growing number of communities walkability is becoming an indicator of livability.

Just about everyone who can walk does walk somewhere everyday—but in February we want to hear about it. Tweet about where you walk—to the bus? To lunch? Around the neighborhood? To school?

The Winter Walkoff is a collaborative effort from the same team behind Twin Cities Bike Walk Week, which this year will be June 2-10, 2012. The focus of Twin Cities June Bike Walk Week is to encourage people to try bicycling or walking instead of driving for at least one trip during the week. Bike Walk Week organizers also want to encourage people who do walk and bicycle to get around to register and be counted. Participation in Twin Cities Bike Walk Week has increased by 30% in each of the last two years. In 2011, nearly 10,000 people participated in June Bike Walk Week. For more info, visit: www.bikewalkweek.org

Sidebar:  Walking in Winter—a few tips!
A good winter walk can be amazing (seriously). The cold air is invigorating, and snow-covered trees are absolutely beautiful.

Bottom line, dress in layers.
It helps to wear clothing that can be shed if you start overheating. Wear light weight long underwear, light weight turtle necks, fleeces, t-shirts, sweaters, and a thick coat...layer so that you can take off clothing, if necessary. Trust us, you can work up a sweat in the cold!

Wear thick socks with a good pair of slip-resistant boots.
Never wear smooth soled walking shoes in wet or snowy weather; they get horrible traction, and you risk injury from falling on slick ice or snow.

Keep your head warm.
Remember to wear a good hat (or headsock!) that covers your ears, along with scarves, gloves/mittens, and other cold-weather gear designed to keep your extremities warm.

Be visible!
If you're caught in a snowstorm (or in rain or fog), it's a very good idea to wear reflective clothing--day or night. A headlamp is also helpful; not only will it help drivers see you, but it can also help a bus driver see you waiting at a bus stop!

Lastly, if it snows, please shovel your sidewalk.
Minneapolis requires property owners to clear sidewalks after the end of a snowfall within four daytime hours for apartment and commercial buildings (daytime hours begin at 8 am) and within 24 hours for owners of homes and duplexes. If a sidewalk in your neighborhood hasn’t been cleared you can report snow and ice on sidewalks here [link:  http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/publicworks/sidewalks/sidewalks_snow

The City of St. Paul requires owners and renters to remove snow and ice within 24 hours after a snowfall from public sidewalks bordering their buildings or lots. To report a sidewalk within St. Paul city limits call 651-266-8989 or use this form. [link: http://www.stpaul.gov/forms.aspx?FID=65]. Also visit http://www.smart-trips.org/sidewalks for more information.

Sidebar—Places to Walk in February

Looking ahead to February, here are two events to keep in mind—one indoors and one outdoors. There are many other events in February for your #winterwalkoff. Follow the hashtag to keep in touch and find out more.

• On Saturday, February 4, from 11am-4pm, you can Go Red at the Mall of America with the American Heart Association [link: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Twin-Cities-Go-Red-For-Women_UCM_318695_SubHomePage.jsp]. Walk around the MOA to catch a fashion show, concert, casting call, and other events.
• On Saturday, February 11, from noon- 2pm, get outside on the Midtown Greenway for the first ever Winter Wonder Walk/Ride, [link http://midtowngreenway.org/ridesandwalks/WinterWonderWalkRide.html] featuring bicycling and walking activities. Registration begins at 11:30 at the Freewheel Midtown Bike Center.
• Tuesday, February 14. Take a walk with your Valentine.