UnitedHealthcare partners with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to teach bicycle and helmet safety at Bike Rodeo Event

PHOTOS (L to R): Pinellas County Sheriff’s office staff and UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound meet and help students get fitted for bike helmets and bikes before riding and learning bike safety and handling at special bike safety rodeo in Lealman Park. UnitedHealthcare Pro Cyclist Jonny Clarke answers questions at the end of the session where students were also congratulated for completing all the bike rodeo stations. Photos courtesy of Ryan Gordon, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

In time for spring break, UnitedHealthcare employees and pro cycling team member Jonny Clarke recently partnered with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to host a bike safety rodeo and deliver 50 bicycles with helmets to students in the Police Athletic League (PAL) afterschool program.

As part of a UnitedHealthcare public service campaign, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team member Jonny Clarke discussed the importance of properly wearing a helmet, good nutrition and staying active. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Community Policing Unit led a demonstration for elementary school students on basic riding skills during the PAL event at Lealman Park.

“Because of the generous donation from UnitedHealthcare and its public service campaign, the kids at PAL are equipped with the knowledge and safety to be responsible bike owners and operators,” said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri of Pinellas County. “Their safety is our number one priority and this event helps us further educate kids and their parents about all the important elements relating to cycling and fitness.”

“Our partnership with Sheriff Gualtieri and the PAL staff creates a win-win for everyone,” said Gregory Reidy, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Florida. “Not only do the kids receive bikes and helmets but they also have the opportunity to meet and be inspired by a UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team member and learn about bike safety and the benefits of exercise and enjoying the outdoors.”

Instructional public service videos featuring the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team are featured on the Ride Healthy section of the website: www.uhcprocycling.com.

The Pinellas Sheriff's Police Athletic League opened its doors in 2001 and is currently providing tutoring, mentoring and sports activities at the PAL Sports Complex, and the PAL Connection Center in mid-Pinellas County. PAL is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and relies in large part on donations from the community and the private sector to support the program. Grants from the Juvenile Welfare Board, generous business partners and other donors fund the services and opportunities PAL provides. PAL serves children who seek adult guidance, enjoy sports, or need after school assistance. For more information, go to www.pinellaspal.com.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with 1 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.