Activ8Kids! Promotional Bike Ride - Bay Shore
The Active8Kids! cyclists started Monday celebrating with the Fifth Avenue Elementary School in recognition of their amazing efforts towards promoting students' health and readiness to learn. The students welcomed the 30 cyclists with a song about going to the market to fill their baskets with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. New York State Department of Health representatives recognized the Bay Shore School District and the Stony Brook University Heart Links Project partners. The partners have worked together for over three years to
- Create awareness about children's health and wellness issues
- Educate teachers, board of education members, parents and students, and
- Draft a comprehensive district-wide wellness policy to support children's healthy eating and physical activity habits.
The Active8Kids! cyclists traversed a wide variety of New York State terrain. From the scenic bay side shores of Bay Shore to tight, precarious New York City turns, the 30 cyclists rode 57 miles on this scenic Monday with only 3 flat tires.
One of the highlights of the trip was crossing the historic Brooklyn Bridge. The sunshine and view of the Stature of Liberty were inspiring sites for the cyclists, as were the sites of the West Side Highway bicycle path, including a view of the Intrepid. Highway traffic proved to be challenging, but New Yorkers rose to the occasion with a plethora of encouraging car horn-honking and chants to "go, go, go!"
The Active8Kids! cyclists are on to Harlem to visit another school district "getting right" to encourage healthy eating and physical activity habits among students.