Involving the media in your event helps spread the message, whether it’s focused on physical activity, pedestrian and bicycle safety, the environmental benefits of an active commute, or another cause. To help give the media the information they need to cover an event, we’ve developed some press release templates for your use.
View the 2024 Bike & Roll to School Day News Release (PDF)
View the 2024 Walk & Roll to School Day News Release (PDF)
Media exposure is a great way to get the word out about your local Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day event and the compelling reasons behind it. Each media outlet has a specific person or department who would be best suited to receive information about the event and would be your optimal point of contact (see below). If you have trouble finding the name and direct contact for a specific person, use the next suggested contact.
If you’ve never done this before, promoting your event to the news media may seem intimidating, but these simple steps will get you there.
A media advisory can be sent out ahead of an event to inform the media of the who, what, where, when and why involved. Follow the instructions in the document below to use a media advisory to alert the press about your event.
Walk & Roll to School Day Media Advisory (.doc)
Bike & Roll to School Day Media Advisory (.doc)
Instructions:
Fill in the bracketed areas with your event’s information. If possible, put the advisory on your organization’s or school’s letterhead (or, if you’re emailing the press release, copy the text onto your school’s letterhead, then save the document as a .pdf).
A week before the event, distribute the advisory to local media contacts (television, radio, and newspaper) that might be interested in a walk or bike to school event. Note: It’s important to choose an event contact person to be listed on the press release who will be available in the days leading up to the event as well as while the event is taking place. Use the contact phone number that has the greatest likelihood of reaching someone who is knowledgeable about the event and can speak to the media about your event and event goals.
Follow up with a press release (see instructions and resources below).
The customizable local press release offers the media detailed information on your Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day event, such as the impact it will have on the community or information about ongoing efforts. Use this press release to pitch the event to the local media.
Walk & Roll to School Day Customizable Local Press Release (.doc)
Bike & Roll to School Day Customizable Local Press Release (.doc)
Instructions:
Fill in the bracketed areas with your event’s information. If possible, put the press release on your organization’s or school’s letterhead (or, if you’re emailing the press release, copy the text onto your school’s letterhead, then save the document as a .PDF).
A few days or one day before the event, distribute the press release to local media contacts (television, radio, and newspaper) that might be interested in a walk or bike to school event. Note: It’s important to choose an event contact person to be listed on the press release who will be available in the days leading up to the event as well as while the event is taking place. Use the contact phone number that has the greatest likelihood of reaching someone who is knowledgeable about the event and can speak to the media about your event and event goals.
Have copies of the press release available at the event.
Find us on social media!
Home | Contact Us | Plan an Event | Beyond the Event | Learn More
© 2024 | Site maintained by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center.