Walking is great exercise and a healthy way to get around, but make sure you stay safe while walking near traffic! Here are some tips from the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Look Up. Look Out. campaign. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s (MDOT SHA) pedestrian safety campaign includes both drivers and pedestrians, because pedestrian safety is a two-way street. Pedestrian safety is an issue that affects the entire community; young and senior, drivers and walkers, in the day and at night.  On average, more than 100 pedestrians are killed each year in Maryland. Most of the incidents are preventable. The Look Up, Look Out campaign reminds drivers and pedestrian to stay alert, and follow the rules of the road and traffic laws. Pedestrian safety is always important, but everyone should be extra vigilant in the fall and winter seasons, especially in the morning and at dusk. With the time change, the days are shorter and visibility is lower when the sun sets. Pedestrians should wear light and reflective clothing when traveling after dark and drivers should remain alert, attentive and prepared to stop for pedestrians.

MDOT SHA offers the following tips that are best practice year round:

For pedestrians:

For drivers:

Check out this pedestrian safety tip card.

Follow the tips in this interactive infographic to avoid being hit by a car while walking.

There are lots of places to walk in Hagerstown. Check out this map for a few downtown routes and all the points of interest you can walk to in the city. Some of the most appealing points of interest are the public art pieces throughout the city. There are many pieces of public art along the Hagerstown Cultural Trail. Here’s a few highlights of public art around the city. Take a walk and visit them in person!

Biking Through History

This mural on the University Parking Deck on N Potomac Street was painted by Barbara Ingram School for the Arts students.

The Fishing Lesson

This sculpture can be found at City Park and is accompanied by a children’s book of the same name by Amanda Hart Miller.

The Welcome Tree

Painted by volunteers, this mural on the Memorial Blvd underpass shows a cheerful message to the children who walk past it on their way to school.

Rivulet

One of the newer additions to the Cultural Trail, this interactive sculpture features two seats.

Butterfly and Hot Air Balloon Sculptures

These sculptures were painted by students from Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and can be found in various locations around the city.

This Little Light of Mine

This Maryland-themed mural can be found at University Plaza downtown.

Picture from artist Eric B Ricks’ Twitter

View to Wesel

This mural at 45 W Franklin Street shows a view to Hagerstown’s sister city since 1952: Wesel, Germany.

Building Blocks aka Mural of Unusual Size

No mention of public art in Hagerstown could leave out this unusually large, colorful mural along the Cultural Trail.

These are just some of the many public art pieces in Hagerstown. Walking, being outdoors, and viewing art can all boost your well-being. With spring here, now is a great time to get outside and view the art in Hagerstown in person!

May is National Bike Month! Check the events calendar and visit bikehagerstown.org to view all the bicycle events happening this month. May 8 is Bike to School Day! Bike to Work Week is May 13-19 and Bike to Work Day is May 17.

Why is cycling such a great physical activity? It’s aerobic exercise that also builds muscle, it’s easier on your joints than other activities like walking or running, and it’s a lot of fun! There are many trails you can cycle on in Washington County, including the 10-mile Hub City Bike Loop in Hagerstown!

Being active is an important part of staying healthy and feeling good. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, physical activity can reduce your risk of several chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, improve your sleep, increase your energy and self-esteem, decrease depression, relieve stress, and help you live longer. Those are just some of the benefits of regular physical activity! Even if you don’t meet the physical activity guidelines recommendation of 150 minutes a week of activity, a little bit of activity has benefits over doing nothing! Check out this article from the American Heart Association about why physical activity is so important for your health and well-being.

Take the Washington County Walking and Walkability Survey at tinyurl.com/WashCoWalkingSurvey

The survey is intended to be taken by adults who live in Washington County, Maryland. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and responses are anonymous.

An important strategy in the Washington County Walking and Walkability Plan is to assess the current state of walking and walkability in Washington County. Along with conducting various walk audits throughout the county, this survey will help us collect the information we need to assess the current state of walking and walkability in the county.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us achieve our vision of walking toward a healthier Washington County.

Most of us are aware of the benefits of exercise and spending time outdoors, but communities that invest in hiking, biking, and walking trails often see a stronger bottom-line. A healthier workforce means less time away from work, more productivity, and more opportunities for growth for local businesses. Additionally, given the high cost of healthcare and increasingly limited insurance availability,  a healthier community means fewer tax dollars spent on uninsured patients.

But there is another economic advantage to investing in walking trails and pedestrian-friendly cities. Communities that make it easier for people to walk or bicycle can also trigger economic growth.  Cities that are safe and accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists attract tourism, generate traffic for restaurants and other local businesses, and increase property values. From the Hagerstown bike loop and Cultural Trail, to new development in Williamsport along the C&O Canal, to the Western Maryland Rail Trail in Hancock and towns and villages throughout Washington County, our region has made great strides toward building healthier and more economically viable communities in recent years. So go take a hike—it might just help your bottom-line in more ways than one!