Ride Cool All Summer with Blue Bikes

NEW ORLEANS – The summer months are hot, but you can feel the breeze riding a Blue Bike to work, events or just for fun.

Blue Bikes, New Orleans’ bike-share program sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, will be hosting events throughout the summer months to help riders beat the heat.

On the second and fourth Mondays of June through August, Blue Bikes will give out bicycle helmets donated by Healthy Blue Louisiana. Giveaways will be from 5-6 p.m. on the Lafitte Greenway near the playground. Helmets will be given on a first-come, first served basis while supplies last.  

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), head injuries are the most common cause of death and disability among bicycle riders. But, the CDC advises that wearing a bicycle helmet is very effective at preventing injuries. Riders who fall while wearing a helmet are less likely to have brain injuries or skull fractures from the impact.

Although Louisiana state law only requires riders under age 12 to wear a helmet while riding bicycles, Blue Bikes encourages riders of all ages to do so.

“With the summer months upon us, we want to make it easier for riders to bike safely and comfortably,” said Geoff Coats, Blue Bikes general manager. “We’re grateful to Healthy Blue for donating helmets, which we’ll be giving out to help people lower their risk of injury. And, we’ll be handing out bottled water so people stay hydrated as temperatures rise.

Blue Bikes will hold pop-up “hydration hubs,” in which Blue Bikes team members give bottled water to riders at hubs throughout the city. Hydration hubs will take place the first and third Wednesday of June, July and August, and locations will vary. Follow Blue Bikes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see information about hydration hub locations.

Blue Bikes is a healthy, green, affordable way to experience New Orleans. Sign up for Blue Bikes at bluebikesnola.com or by downloading the Social Bicycles App from the Apple App Store or Google Play. There are several membership options, including pay-as-you-go, monthly and annual, which riders can choose from. 

For more information on Blue Bikes memberships, to see the system map or to sign up, visit bluebikesnola.com. 

About Blue Bikes
Blue Bikes is a fast, convenient and affordable transportation system for residents and visitors to move around New Orleans. The bike share program is a partnership among the City of New Orleans, Social Bicycles and title sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Sign up to ride at bluebikesnola.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. We invest both time and money in the communities we serve, supporting the health and wellbeing of Louisianians through more than 200 charitable organizations.

With our subsidiaries, HMO Louisiana and Southern National Life, we provide group and individual health insurance plans, life and disability insurance, group voluntary products and administrative services to one out of four Louisiana residents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana also provides Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage plans and is a partner in offering the Healthy Blue Medicaid Managed care plan. Louisiana is the only state where we operate, with offices in every major region to serve our customers.

Founded in New Orleans in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a tax-paying non-profit health insurer. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

To learn more, visit our website at www.bcbsla.com. 

About Healthy Blue

Healthy Blue, formerly known as Amerigroup Louisiana, is a managed healthcare provider that has been serving the state since 2012, and currently serves the state’s Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion and LaCHIP programs. Healthy Blue recognizes the challenges low-income and underserved individuals face, and tailors its programs such that health plan members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Healthy Blue provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their healthcare. Also, through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain healthy lifestyles. To learn more about Healthy Blue, visit www.myhealthybluela.com.