RALEIGH – The State transportation department  is offering a new, free way to educate children on the basics of walking and bicycling safety. The Let’s Go NC! curriculum consists of lesson plans, materials, and supplemental tools that anyone can use to teach elementary-aged children grades K-5 about the basics of walking and biking. The curriculum is intended for use by schools, clubs, after school programs, law enforcement and other groups.

"We applaud the NCDOT for creating valuable lessons about bike and pedestrian safety to share with North Carolina’s elementary school students,” said State Superintendent June Atkinson. “It is never too early to start teaching students how to make smart, safe and healthy decisions every day.”

“Let’s Go NC! exemplifies our department’s focus on safety, education and alternative transportation while providing a fun and beneficial experience for children,” said Bicycle and Pedestrian Division Director Lauren Blackburn. “The lessons enhance kids’ understanding of traffic safety, encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, and build independence and self-esteem.”

The curriculum is divided into two primary lesson sets: Let’s Go Walking and Let’s Go Biking. Each lesson set has three distinct teaching levels divided by grade – K-1st, 2nd and 3rd, and 4th and 5th. It features hands-on learning and skill-building activities, as well as math, reading, social studies, science, art and music.

All curriculum materials, including lesson plans, lesson videos and guidance materials for instructors are easily accessible online