Family Bike Day a Success at Ridge Hill

Thanks to Laura Dolan from Geto & de Milly PR for the following:

A beautiful spring Sunday at Ridge Hill! Families enjoyed outdoor fun at the popular shopping and dining hub Westchester’s Ridge Hill, which held its first Ridge Hill Family Bike Day. Hosted by Kacey and Tom from 100.7 WHUD, the Ridge Hill Family Bike Day featured FREE bicycle-themed events and fun for kids and parents alike. The day’s festivities kicked off at 10am, when kids who brought their bikes could “Learn to Ride” and got tips from professional cyclists (Bikes were also available for purchase at REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods. From noon-1pm, kids participated in bicycle sprints (group by age: 5-6; 7-8; 9-10) and showed off their skills.

“With our new LegoLand Discovery Center, Cinema de Lux, ten great restaurants and eclectic mix of shops, plus events like our Summer Concert Series, Ridge Hill” is a truly family-friendly destination,” said Kathy Welch, Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Development for Forest City Ratner Companies, owner of Ridge Hill. Family Bike Day was a chance for kids to get lessons and safety tips from the pros, and for families to get a jump on the summer season at retailers like REI, L.L. Bean, Dicks and Orvis—which have bikes and everything else they’ll need for a great summer of outdoor fun.

This is a great learning experience for the youngsters at Ridge Hill,” said John Eustice, a cycling pro and coordinator of Ridge Hill Family Bike Day, as well as Event Director of the Ridge Hill Putnam Cycling Classic. Kids can learn how to ride from the best cyclists the area has to offer, in addition to getting safety tips and participating in a fun-paced race.”

In addition to teaching kids how to ride, Ridge Hill Family Bike Day promoted cycling safely. The Yonkers Police Department Bike Safety Squad was on hand to provide complimentary safety tips to new and seasoned riders. L.L. Bean sponsored a free “Test a Trike” event for the very little ones. And REI’s Bike Repair Station offered light wrenching, quick fixes, air for tires and helmet fit checks to assure a safe and correct fit for bike helmets.

Additionally, Bike Day attendees helped out those in need at Mayor Mike’s Donation Station—Mayor Mike Spano and the City of Yonkers collected new and gently-used bikes, which were distributed to needy families so that even more kids in Yonkers can enjoy cycling.

“Biking is one of the best forms of exercise for kids, and also a great mode of transportation that we look to encourage in our city,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “And as families get ready for a season of enjoying the great outdoors in Yonkers and Westchester, we’re excited that Ridge Hill and its outdoor sporting retailers hosted “Family Bike Day,” to teach kids how to ride safely and show off their new skills.”

Entertainment included unicyclists and airbrush artists, jugglers and treats were provided by Whole Foods and Frannie’s Goodie Shop. The first 100 children that registered for activities received a free t-shirt, and many attendees entered raffles to win great prizes.