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Press Release: April 28, 2008

Contact:Tracey Bradnan

For Immediate Release

 Cartwheel Communications
April 28, 2008
 (440) 835-3038


 

tracey@cartwheelcleveland.com

 

 

363 Students Ride To School for the First Day of Bay High School Bike To School Month Sponsored By Century Cycles

BAY VILLAGE, April 28 – Despite rain and colder-than-normal temperatures, 363 students rode their bikes to school this morning on the first day of Bay High School Bike To School Month sponsored by Century Cycles. A total of 543 students at Bay High School have signed up to participate in the program, out of a total school population of 820. The program runs for four weeks, through May 23.

THE PROGRAM: Century Cycles and Bay High School (BHS) are teaming up to encourage BHS students to kick the car habit and ride their bikes to school during Bike To School Month on April 28 – May 23, 2008. Co-sponsored by Century Cycles and the Project Earth environmental club at BHS, Bike To School Month educates students on the environmental and health benefits of forgoing motorized transportation, helps them take a stand against high gas prices and in favor of their environmental concerns, plus it rewards them with prizes as they accumulate bike-rides to school throughout the month.

FOR SOME, IT’S BIKE TO WORK: So far, 34 Bay High teachers and staff have also signed up to ride their bicycles during the month, including Principal James Cahoon and Vice-Principal Jason Martin, both of whom rode to school on the first day as well.

CHIPOTLE PROVIDES THE FUEL: Chipotle at Crocker Park gave a free burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos to each BHS student who signed up for the program and rode to school today. To keep up the momentum, Chipotle will also give the students who complete all four levels of the Bike To School Month program an exclusive burrito party at BHS on May 23, the final day of Bike To School Month. Known for their healthy food, Chipotle is also active in bicycling, as corporate sponsor of Slipstream Chipotle, an international bicycle-racing team that will compete in the Tour de France this summer.

OTHER PARTNERS: Bicycle manufacturers Raleigh and Giant have each provided a mountain bike as the grand prizes in Bike To School Month’s raffle on May 23. Bicycle accessory supplier QBP is donating 100 Knog Frog bike lights as ride prizes. NOACA donated 300 Cuyahoga county bike maps for the student registration packets. The City of Bay Village Police Department is offering free bicycle registration to students. The program is supported by the Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation.

THE INSPIRATION: Inspired by a car boycott organized by BHS students last spring to protest high gas prices, Century Cycles owner Scott Cowan approached his alma mater with the idea for Bike To School Month. Cowan’s idea found an enthusiastic supporter in Eryn Whistler, a science teacher at BHS and adviser to the Project Earth environmental club, which will be administering the program at the school on a day-to-day basis, checking in the bicyclists and helping them redeem their prizes.

THE MORE THEY RIDE, THE MORE THEY WIN: As if a cleaner community, healthy body, and a fun ride to school weren’t incentive enough, students can win prizes donated by Century Cycles. As students accumulate rides, they can win a free Bike To School Month t-shirt (featuring an award-winning design by BHS student Brian Valco; a $10 value), a Knog Frog bike light (a $10 value, the first 100 donated by QBP), a bicycle computer/speedometer (a $20 value), and a Century Cycles urban backpack (a $35 value).

BICYCLING FACTS AND FIGURES

Less than 16% of students between the ages of 5 and 15 walk or bike to or from school, compared with 48% of students in 1969. (Source: 2003 EPA study.)

A short, four-mile round trip by bicycle keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe. (Source: League of American Bicyclists)

In metropolitan areas, more than 40% of car trips made for social or recreational purposes (like shopping) are two miles or less – a very manageable bike ride – and more than 25% are just one mile or less. (Source: 2001 U.S. National Household Travel Survey)

Two recent studies have found that biking or walking to school is associated with higher overall physical activity throughout the day. There are many potential benefits of physical activity for youth, including weight control, reduction in the risk of diabetes, and better academic performance.

Studies show that on average, regular cyclists add over two years to their life expectancy, have the general fitness and health of someone 10 years younger, and are 50% less likely to experience depression.  Biking at a moderate pace of about 10 miles per hour burns on average 400 calories per hour for women and 450 per hour for men – about the same as an aerobic session. (Source: “Bike To Work” by Rory McMullan, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008)

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ABOUT CENTURY CYCLES: Recently named a Top 100 Bicycle Retailer in the U.S. for the seventh time, Century Cycles has hometown bicycle stores in Medina, Peninsula, and Rocky River, providing high-quality bicycles and exemplary service to cyclists and their families for the past 16 years. Century Cycles is active locally and nationally in support of the benefits of bicycling, bicycling paths, and other issues of vital importance to the cycling community.

www.centurycycles.com

1079 North Court Street, Medina, Ohio, 44256; 330-722-7119

1621 Main Street, Peninsula, Ohio, 44264; 330-657-2209

19955 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio, 44116; 440-356-5705

Scott Cowan, Owner
Phone: 440-356-5705
scott@centurycycles.com

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ABOUT BAY HIGH SCHOOL : Bay High School is an award-winning, comprehensive, four-year high school in Bay Village, Ohio. It was recently named one of the Top 500 high schools in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report magazine.

ABOUT PROJECT EARTH ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB: Project Earth is committed to learning about their environment and how they can improve it at school, at home, and in the community. They hope that by educating themselves, they can educate others on how to preserve earth’s resources for a better future.

www.bayvillageschools.com

29230 Wolf Road
Bay Village, Ohio 44140
440-617-7400

Eryn Whistler, Teacher/Adviser
Project Earth Environmental Club
Phone: 440-617-7518
ewhist@leeca.org

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