Bike safety event to take place Sunday, October 7

Salinas, Calif. (October 4, 2018)—Natividad is a sponsor and participant of Ciclovía Salinas 2018. In partnership with Natividad Foundation and the Monterey County Health Department, Natividad is distributing 200 bike helmets to children in need. The hospital is also raffling off bikes to two lucky winners, thanks to the generous financial support of Natividad Foundation.

As flu season approaches, health care professionals from Walgreen’s Pharmacy in partnership with Natividad will also administer free influenza vaccines to the first 100 visitors to the Natividad booth (#39).

The free event takes place on Sunday, October 7 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Alisal Street from Main Street to Sanborn Street in Salinas. Educators at the Natividad booth are performing helmet safety fittings and providing head injury prevention demonstrations. The Natividad Family Medicine Residency Program is working in partnership with Health Academy students from Alisal and North Salinas High Schools to present bike safety education.

“There are more biking-related injuries seen in hospital emergency departments in the United States every year than any other sports-related injury,” said Lorraine Artinger, Trauma Prevention and Outreach Nurse at Natividad. “Young adults ages 15 to 24 and older adults ages 45 and up are at the highest risk for bicycle-related injury and death.”

“Natividad is committed to educating the community about the importance of bike safety in order to reduce trauma-related injuries due to unsafe helmet use,” said Enid Donato, Health Education Assistant at Natividad. “We are incredibly grateful to Natividad Foundation for its generous support of our efforts.”

California law requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, whether pedaling or as a passenger. “Natividad recommends helmets for all riders, regardless of age,” Artinger said. “It is the most effective thing riders can do to prevent injury and death.”

This is the sixth year Natividad has participated in Ciclovía Salinas. Ciclovía is a Spanish term meaning “bike path”. The youth-led annual event provides a safe and inclusive environment where families can come together to enjoy recreational activities such as biking, running, skating, dancing and much more. Residents can also learn more about the importance of healthy habits in counteracting major health issues like diabetes and obesity.

More information about bike safety and bike helmet use can be found on the Natividad’s website at http://natividad.com/traumaprevention.