Tribal health expresses gratitude for bike path

By Lailani Upham

Tribal Health gave away bike helmets to celebrate the new bike path. (courtesy photo)

PABLO — Indian communities give away when it comes to appreciation and Tribal Health handed out 200 bike helmets to children and adults at their Bike Safety station along the path between Ronan and Polson, to express thanks to the Montana Department of Transportation and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for making the bike path from Ronan to Polson and the path from St. Ignatius to Arlee.

Lance Hawkins, THHS, fits a young cyclist with a bike helmet. THHS gave away more than 200 helmets during the daylong event. (Courtesy photo)

Over 300 participants from all ages were estimated at the Bike Path Appreciation and Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 25. Bike riders were seen along the 13-mile stretch from Ronan to Polson. “We predicted about feeding 250 people, but we had to make more hamburgers,” said Margene Asay, Tribal Health Education and Fitness Trainer, “The line was so long, I felt bad because some people had to go eat at the store.”

Six stations were set up along the bike path from Ronan to Polson. Each booth gave items away, from backpacks, to water bottles. Participants received a mark after visiting a booth, after receiving three stamps they were entitled to a free made in Montana lunch, provided by the Salish Kootenai College Food and Fitness program.

Margene Asay, THHS, peddles her wares and smiles for the Bike path participants. (Courtesy photo)

Lots of fresh veggies were on the menu from the Salish Kootenai College’s home grown garden along with tasty local beef. “We had a cool day but still had bike riders taking the path from Ronan to Polson and back to eat,” Asay said.

It took a community committee only three months to plan the event, which turned out to be an educational and family fun day. “It was such a success and will be planned as an annual event,” says Asay.