Press Releases: Northwest
March 21, 2003
Kaiser Permanente to celebrate Earth Day with Community Bike Blast in north Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. – People of all ages are invited to celebrate Earth Day at Kaiser Permanente's Community Bike Blast on Tuesday, April 22. Kaiser Permanente will host a variety of activities highlighting the health benefits of bicycling and bicycle safety. The Blast will be from 4-8 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente's Interstate South Medical Office, 3500 N. Interstate Ave., in north Portland.
Activities will include:
- Free bike checkups by the Community Cycling Center, whose staff will do minor repairs.
- Discount prices on Bell bicycle helmets. These ANSI-certified helmets will be available in sizes for toddlers through adults for only $7.50.
- Demonstration of proper helmet fitting, as well as other bike tips from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.
- Entertainment provided by the SUN School Choir of James John Elementary School in St. Johns.
- Free refreshments.
Anyone who donates a used bike will receive a new helmet or other gift from Kaiser Permanente. The Community Cycling Center will fix up the donated bikes to give to the needy.
"As a health care organization dedicated to preventing illness and injury, we see Earth Day as a great time to promote cleaner air through bicycling more and driving less," says John Chen, MD, primary care medical director for Kaiser Permanente's Interstate campus. "Besides reducing disease-causing pollution, bicycling is a good way to exercise and improve fitness."
Volunteers from the American Lung Association of Oregon will be on hand to share information about how you can help improve lung health-especially by getting out of your car more and bicycling. Visitors can also register at the event for Kaiser Permanente's Reach the Beach bike ride from Portland to the coast. That May 17 event benefits the American Lung Association of Oregon.
