USA BMX, Partnership for a Healthier America, and Let’s Move! Join forces to Create Let’s Move! Race Days to promote healthy lifestyles

(August 3, 2012) – According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 12.5 million U.S. youth are obese, and another 11 million are overweight. Together, they represent nearly one in three children and adolescents in this country—an epidemic by any measure. To help combat this epidemic, beginning August 11th through August 18th USA BMX will be offering Free Race Days to new riders at participating tracks across the U.S. and Canada. This initiative is designed to get families active and help bolster childhood wellness.

Exercise is an important aspect of staying healthy, and this event will provide new riders with an opportunity to get moving while having fun. BMX is a great option for offering an individual sport “where nobody sits on the bench” and the entire family can participate! There are over 350 participating tracks in North America, each designed to accommodate all skill levels from the novice to the expert rider.

“BMX racing is a great activity and sport for kids and kids at heart,” said BA Anderson, CEO of USA BMX. “We are excited about this opportunity to introduce new people to our sport and hope that thousands will take advantage of this opportunity.”

“As PHA and Team USA work together to get nearly 2 million kids moving this year, USA BMX’ offer of free track passes is another great way to get us to our goal,” said PHA’s Chief Marketing Officer Drew Nannis. “Matching the right sport to the right kid isn’t easy, so offering a wide range of sports and activities for kids to try through this commitment is critical. A circuit at a BMX track might be enough to get another kid excited about being active –and an active kid is a healthier kid.”

Sign up on the Partnership for a Healthier America’s website www.ahealthieramerica.org/freeraceday Once registered, the participant will receive a 30-day free trial membership for their local BMX track.

About Partnership for a Healthier America

Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is devoted to working with the private sector to ensure the health of our nation’s youth by solving the childhood obesity crisis. In 2010, PHA was created in conjunction with – but independent from – First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! effort. PHA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is led by some of the nation’s most respected health and childhood obesity experts. PHA brings together public, private and nonprofit leaders to broker meaningful commitments and develop strategies to end childhood obesity For more information about PHA, please visit www.aHealthierAmerica.org.

About Let’s Move!

Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active. For more information about Let’s Move! please visit www.letsmove.gov

About USA BMX

USA BMX was formed in 2011 by merging the ABA (American Bicycle Association), formed in 1977 and the National Bicycle League (NBL) formed in 1974. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, USA BMX is “The Sanctioning Body of BMX”©. USA BMX organizes BMX racing for boys, girls and adults, in the United States and Puerto Rico as well as in Canada under the name BMX Canada. With over 65,000 active members and 350 racing facilities, USA BMX is the largest promoter of action sports. For more information about USA BMX please visit www.usabmx.com