Providence, RI—Bikes Belong and Interbike have contributed $2,500 to the U.S Open Cycling Foundation (USOCF) for safe cycling seminars that will take place four times a day during OutDoor Demo East in Providence, Rhode Island Oct. 8-11. The presentations will alternate between a children’s program and a program directed at adults, covering topics such as rules of the road, cyclist/motorist interactions, bike safety, and proper helmet fit.

USOCF is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation working to reduce obesity and its lifelong consequences by encouraging people of all ages to incorporate cycling into their daily activities.

This OutDoor Demo East partnership is one project of many associated with a 10-year, multi-million dollar alliance between Interbike and Bikes Belong, initiated in 2007 to get more Americans nationwide riding bicycles.

“We are so grateful for Interbike’s exceptional overall support of Bikes Belong and their backing of great projects like this one,” said Bikes Belong executive director Tim Blumenthal. “Bike safety and children’s bicycling programs are the focus of the Bikes Belong Foundation, our nonprofit arm. We’re excited to help bring both of these important subjects to OutDoor Demo East and to Providence.”

"In welcoming all members of the cycling community to our OutDoor Demo East event this year, we wanted to make sure that we included events for all—especially for kids," said Rich Kelly, Interbike's marketing manager. "We are firm believers in the value of teaching safe riding for cyclists of all ages, and are pleased to partner with Bikes Belong to support the US Open Cycling Foundation's efforts to encourage, teach and promote safe cycling in New England.”

About Interbike: Interbike (a business unit of Nielsen Business Media, the parent company of the Outdoor Retailer (OR), Action Sports Retailer (ASR), Health+Fitness Business, and Fly Fishing Retailer trade shows, is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. Producers of the OutDoor Demo and Interbike International Bicycle Expo, Interbike is the leading bicycle industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Now celebrating more than 25 years of successful events, Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,100 cycling-related brands and close to 23,000 total attendees annually.

The 2009 Interbike trade-only events began with OutDoor Demo (September 21-22 in Boulder City), followed by the Interbike Expo, September 23-25 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, and OutDoor Demo East, October 8-11 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island.

About Bikes Belong: Bikes Belong is the national nonprofit bicycling organization dedicated to putting more people on bicycles more often. Founded in 1999 by the leading suppliers and retailers of the U.S. bike industry, Bikes Belong has played a leadership role in increasing the federal investment in bicycling facilities and programs. Bikes Belong also works to promote the many benefits of bicycling. Bikes Belong endorses and supports the Interbike Show as the annual gathering of the U.S. and international bike industry.