May 1, 2023. Reno, Sparks, Nev. – May is a special month for the Washoe County Health District (WCHD) as it kicks off Air Quality Awareness Week and National Bike Month.
These two important times can help maximize the benefits of exercising in our beautiful community while recognizing how important air quality is – and the important programs WCHD has implemented – to our quality of life.
Air Quality Awareness Week, May 1-5, 2023, is a celebration by the Health District’s Air Quality Management Division (AQMD), which showcases the award-winning Keep It Clean program and offers ways for residents to improve air quality in our area. The Keep It Clean program aims to implement clean air solutions in Washoe County.
Bike Month (see more info below) is all about highlighting the many benefits of riding a bike and encouraging more people to incorporate bicycling into their daily lives. The best way to celebrate National Bike Month in May is simply to get on a bike: ride to work, ride to the store or just ride to enjoy the scenery outside.
Air Quality Awareness Week – Keep It Clean
Each day on the AQMD Facebook and Twitter social media accounts, AQMD will provide information to empower the citizens of Washoe County on the topic of air quality including wildfire smoke, ground-level ozone, engine idling, active transportation, and wintertime wood burning using the hashtag #AQAW2023.
- Monday – Be Smoke Smart: Know what to do when wildfire smoke strikes
- Tuesday – nOzone: Take care of our air
- Wednesday – Be Idle Free: Turn off your car when it’s parked
- Thursday – Rack Em Up: Take your bicycle instead of your car when you can
- Friday – Know the Code: During winter, know when it’s OK to use your fireplace
“It is a good time for us to reflect on the importance of one of the natural resources we all depend on: clean air,” said Francisco Vega, Division Director of AQMD. “We can all do our part to help keep our air clean, protect ourselves from wildfire smoke, and ensure clean air for future generations.”
Sign up for Washoe County Air Quality updates here.
The week of May 1-5 has been proclaimed Air Quality Awareness week by the Washoe County District Board of Health and designated by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to encourage citizens to use the Air Quality Index (AQI), understand what causes poor air quality, and take steps to improve air quality.
Tips for improving air quality in our area:
- Limit engine idling
- Refuel gas vehicle after dusk. Stop refueling when pump shuts off. Tighten gas cap securely
- Keep your vehicle engines tuned up and tires properly inflated
- Consider an electric vehicle for your next vehicle purchase
- Conserve energy
- Use manual, electric, or battery powered lawn and garden equipment
- Upgrade your wood stove, pellet stove, and fireplace to a cleaner burning device
For more information, go to OurCleanAir.com.
Bike Month – Encouraging physical activity
May is National Bike Month and the Washoe County Health District (WCHD) promotes and encourages physical activity in the community through active transportation such as bicycling and walking to reach everyday destinations.
“Cycling can be fun, good for a person’s health, and is a sustainable and green mode of transportation” said District Health Officer, Kevin Dick. “For all riders, please remember the rules of the road. Be safe by wearing a helmet, obeying traffic signals, and yielding at crosswalks. Be visible by wearing reflective clothing or gear and using hand signals. Stay safe and have fun!,”
Together with community partners including Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance, Reno Bike Project, Kiwanis Bike Program, RTC, Safe Routes to School and more, a variety of events will be organized for the month-long celebration.
Below are some of the ways community members can participate in Washoe County’s Bike Month.
- Bike Bingo – Challenge yourself with fun activities related to bicycling like performing a safety check or biking to your favorite restaurant. Share pictures of your progress on social media with the hashtag #TruckeeMeadowsBikeBingo.
- Commuter Challenge – Replace some or all your car trips by biking, walking, carpooling or using public transit and log your miles on RTC Smart Trips. Turn this into a fun competition with your friends and coworkers and join as a team!
- Youth Bike Month Edition – Kids can celebrate Bike Month at home or school with fun activities including Bike Bingo, Bike & Roll to School Day, and a Drawing or Story Contest.
For more information about Bike Month, visit this page.
The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here