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Landon Hilliard grew up in New York City and learned early about the practicality of walking. By fourth grade, having proved his "street smarts," his parents granted him the freedom to walk to school alone with its seven street crossings. Walking to and from school everyday, even with a heavy briefcase and trumpet, would prepare him well for his work life. In the fall of 2001, he stepped into a school-based outreach and educational position formed by a partnership between the Boulder Valley School District and the City of Boulder. Landing this federally funded job was a fortunate twist. As a cycling advocate in the late 1990s, Landon had led a letter writing campaign to members of the U.S. Congress who eventually approved the Federal Transportation Act that would fund the grant under which he was now working. Since 2001, one might say that Landon has developed professionally right along with the growth of International Walk to School Day. Each year, more students and parents in the Boulder Valley School District join the movement to see for themselves the benefits of walking and cycling to school. The school community increasingly supports "active transportation" and Landon aims to keep the momentum rolling. In his spare time, Landon likes to walk with his wife and young daughters and lay flat on the sofa after a hard day’s work. |
