FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brookswood Bicycle Fest: A Celebration of Active Healthy Transportation on Thursday, July 9th
BEND, OR (July 1, 2015) – “I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike!” Those lyrics from Queen’s 1978 song “Bicycle Race” are being spoken increasingly on the lips of Bend’s southwest area residents who are not yet halfway through a nearly four-month closure of Brookswood Boulevard for roundabout construction as part of the Murphy Road Extension. Brookswood Meadow Plaza and its businesses, in support of the uptick of creative ways people are getting around this summer, have partnered with community organizations and bike enthusiasts to help local residents celebrate bicycles and other forms of active healthy transportation at the Brookswood Bicycle Fest on Thursday, July 9th from 4:00-7:00pm. All residents and visitors are invited, rain or shine, and encouraged to arrive by a means other than single occupant car!
Activities will include free bike and helmet safety checks, a bike safety course, giveaways, and a family group ride. The Bend Police Department will be on site with free bike registrations; members of the Pine Ridge Elementary School Unicycle Club have been invited to do a demonstration of their skills; Cascades East Transit will have a bus on hand with bike loading demonstrations and information about the region’s public transportation system; and the Bend Fire Department is scheduled to bring a fire truck as well. Also confirmed to participate are Bicycle Re-Source of Bend, The Center Foundation, Bend Bikes, and Let It Ride Bikes. The celebration will include live music from Buck ‘n the Digs from 5-7pm.
“We are excited to be at Bicycle Fest this year,” said Kim Curley, Community Outreach Director of Commute Options. “Helping neighbors figure out how to ‘bike there’ is one of our favorite things we do at Commute Options. Summer is a particularly fun time to slow the pace, get out and explore the neighborhood by foot or on two wheels!” Through healthy transportation choices, Commute Options encourages wellness of individuals, a clean environment, and a strong economy. Commute Options represents transportation options in our community by educating citizens, businesses and government about the value of carpooling, vanpooling, walking, bicycling, teleworking and using public transportation.
Those attending Bicycle Fest via bike, unicycle, roller skates, bus, or other healthy transportation option will receive coupons with special offers from many of the Plaza’s businesses. Discounts off bike merchandise, food, groceries, and free health exams are just a sampling of the offers. Participating businesses are: C.E. Lovejoy’s Market, La Rosa, Local Slice, Cascade Custom Pharmacy, 2ChirosMission Chiropractic Clinic, and Brookswood Animal Clinic.
Brookswood Meadow Plaza is Bend’s uniquely-local shopping and dining destination, offering prime retail, office and restaurant space. The Plaza serves the entire south Bend area and provides a convenient center for business, events, and community, anchored by Lovejoy’s Market. Located on Brookswood Boulevard just south of Elk Meadow Elementary School and one mile north of Baker Road at the corner of Amber Meadow Drive, this neighborhood hub is at the base of Bend Area Transit’s Brookswood Route 2. Construction updates, events, business listings, and community information can be found on the Plaza’s website at www.brookswoodmeadowplaza.com.
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