Mountain Bike Legend Joe Breeze to Speak in Ann Arbor on “Healthy Transportation Choices Now” Speaking Tour

[PDF of flyer for this event]

The Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition,Wheels in Motion and the League of Michigan Bicyclists announce that mountain biking legend Joe Breeze will bring his “Bicycling to Healthy Transportation Choices Now” national speaking tour to Ann Arbor on Friday, April 23, 2004, 7 to 8:30 pm at the Ann Arbor YMCA, Michigan Room, 350 South Fifth Avenue.

Lucinda Means of League of Michigan Bicyclists said, “We encourage all who have an interest in traffic congestion solutions, the obesity epidemic, sustainability, active living, safe routes to schools, and community health to attend what will certainly be an illuminating event.” Joe Breeze, a lifelong bike commuter, will discuss how people can immediately transform their transportation choices for better physical health, environmental health, and fiscal health.

In announcing this event, Dwight Plotner of Wheels in Motion bike shop said, “We are thrilled to have Joe Breeze, a visionary with experience in creating healthier, more efficient transportation choices, speak in Ann Arbor”.

Breeze’s tour of the Midwest follows his successful tour in the Northeast in March. In his illustrated presentation, Breeze reflects on the rich history of the bicycle, a vehicle which he notes is “the most efficient tool of transport ever devised.” He gives a lively account of the mountain bike revolution, in which he was a leading player, and reveals the bicycle’s promise for transforming our oil-dependent, unhealthy transportation system into one with the option of safe, efficient travel by healthy people living in healthy communities.

Breeze, company owner and designer of Breezer Transportation Bicycles, is a charter member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. He is credited with building the first modern mountain bikes. He has appeared on the cover of SMITHSONIAN magazine and has been featured in BICYCLING magazine and other major publications. He was 2003 BRAINy Bicycle Advocate of the Year. A local and national advocate for bicycle transportation, Breeze “rides his talk” each day, using a bicycle as his primary transportation choice.

An open discussion that follows Breeze’s presentation will provide an opportunity for civic leaders, health advocates, transportation planners, bicycle and pedestrian advocates, school officials and citizens to participate in a discussion of how to create a healthier transportation environment, now.

Tour dates in the Midwest. For detailed information on the Healthy Transportation Choices Now Tour, visit breezerbikes.com.

Wednesday, April 21: Cleveland, OH
Thursday, April 22: Columbus, OH
Friday, April 23: Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday, April 24: Chicago, IL
Sunday, April 25: Evanston, IL
Monday, April 26: Madison, WI
Tuesday, April 27: Minneapolis, MN