Regular physical activity like biking is vital to your overall health, and as Presenting Sponsor of Portland Sunday Parkways, Kaiser Permanente Northwest wants to give children in our community the opportunity to embark on a lifetime of bike love.

To support that goal at Sunday Parkways this summer, Kaiser Permanente has partnered with the nonprofit Community Cycling Center to benefit its Bike Club for kids. Participants can pick up a fun, interactive ‘Passport to Health Sticker Hunt’ map that takes them to five locations on each Sunday Parkways route to get their stickers. When you show your completed Passport to Health, you’ll get a prize and Kaiser Permanente will donate $5 to the Bike Club. Then you can share your achievement and photos on social media with #KPBikeClub.

“Our partnership with Portland Sunday Parkways began as an effort to increase the physical activity of our residents to prevent and treat obesity and other chronic diseases,” said Molly Haynes, Community Health Director for Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest region. “Yet, the health benefits of Sunday Parkways extend beyond physical activity into mental health and social connectedness. That’s what we want for the children and families in our communities.”

A valuable community resource, the Cycling Center’s after-school Bike Club program gives children who don’t have access or means to afford a bike on their own a chance to earn their own bike. They also learn safe riding and maintenance techniques, and develop skills in teamwork, problem solving and leadership by working and learning together.

“Bikes are transformative for both individuals and communities. Bike Club gives kids the tools they need for bikes to play an important part in their lives, from an actual bike, to the knowledge of how to ride safely and how to keep it safe and functional,” said Kasandra Griffin, Executive Director of the Community Cycling Center. “Fun, friendship, and confidence are among the additional benefits of this program.”

Sunday Parkways is the perfect setting for this partnership to benefit Bike Club. “People of all backgrounds, ages and abilities can enjoy moving their bodies in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Haynes, “and giving children an opportunity to learn to love biking and being active fits right in with our mission to improve the total health of the communities we serve.” 

Guest Article from Kaiser Permanente