Underground Railroad Bicycle Route planned

ADVENTURE CYCLING AND CENTER FOR MINORITY HEALTH TO CREATE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BICYCLE ROUTE

Adventure Cycling Association and The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Minority Health (CMH) have agreed to create an Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. They will identify the route, develop maps describing it,and create an assortment of history- and health-related activities relatedto the route, including Underground Railroad bicycle tours. CMH and Adventure Cycling created the partnership in recognition of the capacityfor bicycle travel to build stronger cross-cultural relationships amongthe nation's citizens, while promoting lifelong health through physical activity. CMH focuses on community-based interventions as the primarymeans to empower people to take charge of their health.Lack of physical activity is a risk factor in several leading causes ofpreventable illness and death, such as diabetes and heart disease. While20% of the US population has diabetes, African Americans are 2-3 timesmore likely to develop the disease than whites, according to the CDC. CMHDirector Dr. Stephen B. Thomas said,

The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route demonstrates how to use cultural tailoring designed to get people moving. We are very excited about our partnership with Adventure Cycling and the contributions we can make together toward the elimination ofracial and ethnic health disparities." Visit http://www.cmh.pitt.edu/home1.html and https://www.adventurecycling.org/ for details.