“Bike with Pike” event to unveil new trail signage

ST. GEORGE, UT- St. George residents are invited to join Mayor Jon Pike for a “Bike with Pike” celebration on Monday, October 24^th at Confluence Park. This event will feature music, free hot dogs, a bike rodeo, and a tour of the Mayor’s Loop led by Mayor Pike. Trail system users will also be introduced to newly-installed wayfinding signs which show mileage - and walking and biking times - to local areas of interest. 

“The new wayfinding signs will be a much needed addition to both the trail system and the network of bike lanes being installed throughout the city over the next several years,” says Mayor Pike.

The signage project and Bike with Pike event were made possible by the combined efforts of the Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance (SUBA), the St. George City Active Transportation Committee, and the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD), which provided a grant to purchase the signs. A total of 300 signs will eventually be installed throughout the trail system, with an additional 100 signs on city streets.

“Our goal is to see more residents in our area get physically active,” adds Kye Nordfelt, SWUPHD Health Promotion Director. “The city of St. George City has been promoting active transportation, and improving trail signage will make biking or walking to destinations more inviting. Studies show that these signs encourage residents to walk or pedal for work, shopping, or recreation instead of driving.” 

BIKE WITH PIKE DETAILS: 

• When: Monday, October 24 (5:30 - 7:30pm)
• What: Food, music, bike ride with Mayor Pike, bike rodeo
• Where: Confluence Park trailhead (parking lot just south of the Dixie Convention Center)
• What to bring: Ride your bike or just come and enjoy the event (bring lights in case the ride lasts through dusk)
• Who’s invited: Families, individuals, bikers, walkers, media

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Housing Complexes Going Smoke Free

ST.GEORGE, UT- While living in a smoke free home is something most of us take for granted, people living in multiple-unit housing may not always have a choice. Secondhand smoke can seep into neighboring apartments through windows and ventilation systems. Fortunately, many housing complexes - like Riverside Apartments in St. George - have been making the switch to become smoke free with updated smoking policies.

 “Smoking is now allowed only in a designated area instead of just outside the door,” says Ingrid, manager of Riverside Apartments. “People have been very cooperative, we haven’t had a problem.” She reports that one smoking tenant has even thanked her for the new policy because it has helped him decrease his smoking.

There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, which can cause heart disease, cancer, and many other health problems. Children are especially vulnerable, and while most Utah children live in smoke free homes, over 14,000 still live in an environment where they breathe secondhand smoke.  

Many housing complexes throughout the community are introducing policies to protect all their residents from smoke hazards. The Southwest Utah Public Health Department is offering free information to help managers implement tobacco free policies for their properties. For more information, contact Audrie Frehner at 435-986-2567 or afrehner@swuhealth.org.

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