Obesity has become the worst epidemic disease in America. The World Bank estimates that obesity cost the United States 12 percent of the national health care budget in the late 2004, about $160 billion.
The obesity crisis is leading us into three distinct problems. The first is an increased incidence of a number of chronic diseases, including: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, depression, asthma, osteoarthritis, and even some forms of cancer. Two-thirds of all diabetes and heart diseases are a result of obesity. The second predicament is the combination of increasing numbers of elderly people, among whom these diseases are more prevalent, and the increasing health care costs for this population. The third problem is the potential decrease in competitiveness that is associated with high health-care costs to U.S. companies that must compete with Asian countries, where employees are healthier and the countries place a stronger emphasis on prevention. Texas is leading this epidemic crisis with 63 percent of Texans being overweight or obese. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, almost 70 percent of residents are overweight or obese.
TBC Local Outreach Coordinators in Fort
Worth, <b>Elaine Wiliams and KC Jones</b> visited
Grapevine Elementary April 5th to encourage
the P.E. teacher, Ramie Allison, and her 4th
grade class to bicycle. "I was thrilled to
see over a
hundred bikes in the racks. The students were
so well behaved it made the session a real
joy," KC said.<br><br>
There were 125 kids all in one class! The
class started with a helmet fitting and egg
drop demonstration. Next, the class divided
in half, and again into four groups. Two
games were taught to the two sides of the
gym. Elaine taught Texas Bicycle Laws by
having each of the four teams come up with a
move that represented each of the seven laws.
KC had her group of 4 teams racing in the
bike tag relay. The bike tag relay teaches
bike parts helping kids to understand that a
bike is a vehicle. The proper placement of
the tag is reviewed and safety information is
shared.<br><br>
At the appropriate time, the two sides of the
gym were instructed to quietly swap
spaces, each team taking the place of another
from the opposite side of the gym. The
training was a success. By the end of the
class, all 125 kids knew how to put on a
helmet and why, the Seven Texas Bike Laws,
and understood about bike parts and important
safety features.<br><br>
Grapevine Elementary is the first of a
month-long Safe Routes to School campaign
focusing on one of the four school districts
on their list. KC and Elaine look forward to
making the other 10 visits just as successful!
Children’s Charities Ball Results in Bikes for Children This Christmas
Saturday December 9th, Children’s Charities of Fort Worth (CC) held their annual toy drive. The CC was formed in 1989 by businessmen that decided to put their holiday entertainment money toward a philanthropic use. They created one huge, black tie event. Hundreds attended the ball in which a toy of at least $35 is required to enter. Local businesses like Blue Mesa Grill also contributed items and gift certificates that were auctioned off.
Jeong Kyu Park Travels Through Fort Worth onHis Way Around the World
While many of us are doing good to ride 20 miles a week, it appears that much of Fort Worth was inspired to ride a lot more after meeting Mr. Jeong Kyu Park - 5000 miles into his trip around the world. Mr. Park is from South Korea and started his trip in March, arriving in Fort Worth in early November.
During his visit, BikeTexas Outreach Coordinators Byron de Sousa and KC Jones took Mr. Park to visit Bicycle’s Inc. to meet former TBC LOC Gilberto Linares. We wish to thank Bicycle's Inc., Gilberto and KC for generously providing front panniers and winter clothing for Mr. Park's long, winter ride to NYC.
“I’m concerned about Mr. Park because winter is around the corner and I know how cold it gets in the Northeast.” expressed KC.
Look for the silver lining around the clouds that sometime obscure the light on Safe Routes to Schools and you will find Silver Lake Elementary shining through. This school is raising the bar on what it means to encourage their students to bike and walk. It all began with a concerned nurse, Dianne Gorrie, who knew something had to be done to get kids more active. She approached Principal Dunn and PE teacher Cynnara Bivin with the Safe Routes to School program and wonderful things began to happen.
REI Outdoor Adventure Day hosted at Town Lake Recreation Area in McKinney
An estimated 500 people showed up for this first time event. Considering they were competing with the State Fair, Roundup on the Range, and the Race for the Cure, it was an impressive turn out. REI had 20 vendor booths around the lake, and plan on 60 for next year. They gave away lots of prizes (including a whole camp site), and hope to increase the value of the prizes for next year as well. REI also purchased helmets through the Texas Bicycle Coaltion's "Helmets By The Dozen" program and allowed KC Jones, a Texas Bicycle Coalition Fort Worth Local Outreach Coordinator, to give them away as people rode on her bike skills course. Thank you REI. Your generosity provided 21 kids and adults with helmets after they participated in the training and rode the course! We wish to thank DORBA as well. They assisted with helmet fittings and gave mountain biking demonstrations.
Fort Worth Cyclists Elated; City Council Implementationof 60 Miles of Bicycle Routes and Lanes
On Monday, October 23, 2006, at 6:30 p.m., under the leadership of Jim Wilson and Kyle Carr, the Lockheed Martin Bicycle Club gathered over 110 bicycle aficionados for a public meeting at the Lockheed Martin Recreational Association Headquarters. Helen Chaney, Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Task Force planner for the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) made a presentation on the bicycle routes in the Greater Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.
Sunrise McMillan Elementary School in Fort Worth, JPS Health Network, Texas Bicycle Coalition, Texas Medical Association and Texas Academy of Family Physicians partnered toward education and celebration for Texas Bike & Walk to School Day. A team of 20 volunteers including the local CBS station greeted the students as they arrived to school that morning.
More than 100 students participated, and approximately 30 children rode their bikes to school for the very first time. The event also featured two major accomplishments. Prior to a helmet fitting day none of the children had helmets. So, JPS Health Network and Hard Hats for Little Heads partnered to give 150 helmets to fourth and fifth graders. In addition, the school district installed a bike rack just in time for Texas Bike & Walk to School Day after requests to the school district by JPS and Coalition staff members.
TBC
