Health District, Community Foundation Partner to Install Bike Racks at Village on Sage Street

May 28, 2021

May 28, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Washoe County Health District partnered with Community Foundation of Northern Nevada to purchase and install new bike racks at the Village on Sage Street.

May is National Bike Month and bicycling helps to improve health and well-being of people while reducing emissions and traffic congestion.

The Health District purchased seven bike racks for Village on Sage Street, which can hold 18 bikes, using Community Health Improvement Funds (Cost $2,342.39) and the Village on Sage Street is working to complete installation next month.

“The Health District has a strong interest and investment in bicycle projects like this because it benefits not only the rider, but also has community benefits for our air quality,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “We hope the bike racks will encourage this mode of transportation and also provide a secure storage for the residents of the Village on Sage Street.”

Devin McFarland, Community Administrator, Village on Sage Street, said: “More than half of our lodgers at the Village on Sage Street use bikes as their mode of daily transportation. Thanks to the Washoe County Health District’s generous donation of seven bike racks, we will be able to ensure the safe keeping of 126 bikes for our community, which is a true comfort to our lodgers.”

The Health District supports and encourages infrastructure like bike racks and storage, shared roadways and dedicated bike lanes in Washoe County as a way to help resident cycle for fun, exercise or transportation.

Bicycle-friendly community have been shown to improved quality of life by fostering community spirit, improving traffic safety and stimulating economic growth.

National Bike Month has been around since 1956. The Health District has partnered with Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance to promote bicycling and Bike Month. Residents have the opportunity during the month of May to participate in educational and safety programs, community events, or going for an individual or group bike rides. Visit https://bikewashoe.org/ for local bike month events.

The Village on Sage Street is a low-income housing facility that is a partnership with the City of Reno, Volunteers of America and is led by Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. Learn more here.

The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.