Tony Cruz Leads Bicycling Movement in Long Beach Community to Fight Obesity

Tony Cruz Leads Bicycling Movement in Long Beach

Community to Fight Obesity

Like most of us, Tony Cruz can remember a time when he hopped on his bike to get to and from school. His mom knew his route, and if he made any stops along the way, she knew exactly where to look for him. Tony thinks, “The key is riding with your kids first so that they become comfortable with riding bikes on their own.” In recent years, lifestyles have changed, bikes have rusted and become less popular and videogames or computers have become a more likely pastime.

As a result, U.S. obesity rates have risen drastically during the last four decades among children of all ages. Obesity, especially when developed at a young age and carried into adulthood, is associated with type two diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea and some types of cancer. These statistics are of particular significance for Latino children, who have one of the highest rates of obesity and who represent the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing minority group in the nation.

The City of Long Beach has made it its mission to lead among U.S. cities that are fighting the childhood obesity epidemic. Interventions address several areas in the community from, education to engineering. In collaboration with Professional Bicyclist and first Long Beach Bicycle Ambassador Tony Cruz, the City of Long Beach is developing and implementing evidence-based interventions to prevent childhood obesity and make Long Beach one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the nation. A proud Latino, Cruz is the public face of local cycling programs, using his international experience and enthusiasm for the sport to encourage increased bicycle use. “I know Long Beach has the passion, commitment and most importantly, the leadership to execute the strategies necessary to be the most bicycle-friendly city in the States,” said Cruz referring to the master plan.

This will happen by redesigning city streets and parks to encourage safe biking in place of driving, increasing availability of bicycle repair at bike kitchens, creating green spaces in highly dense communities, and implementing bike clubs in local neighborhoods and schools. Last April, the first ever Bike Festival in Downtown Long Beach encouraged many Long Beach residents to get back on their bikes, become healthier and help the environment while doing so. Astronomical gas prices, ...