As part of the Palau Independence Day festivities Oct. 1, a 40-foot container filled with bicycles and helmets will be donated to the Palauan community.
Youth who participated in an essay contest on “How a Bicycle Would Change My Life” will receive part of the donation, as well as community centers in more remote locations.
Those community centers will implement a “bike sharing” program that will allow residents to borrow a bicycle to travel to work, run errands or exercise.
According to Andrew B. Leeka, president and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital and an avid cyclist, Palau President Tommy Remengesau will ride the first bicycle in an organized “President Ride” event.
In addition, a 52-mile “Compact Road Challenge” will also take place as part of the festivities on Palau’s Independent Day.
“Palau was chosen because of its small population that allows this initiative to have an achievable goal in promoting the positive health benefits of riding a bicycle community-wide,” says Leeka. “We respect the Palauan community for being extremely conscientious and protective of their clean environment and want to support them in their efforts.”
The “Palau In Motion” initiative is made possible through Good Samaritan Hospital in collaboration with Anthem Blue Cross of California, Calvo Insurance, Marin Bicycles, and China West, LLS.
