A Royal Ride – The Crown Prince of Denmark and NBA Star Caron Butler Go For a Ride

The League of American Bicyclists is hosting the Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik André Henrik Christian, the Ambassador of Denmark Friis Arne Petersen, and special guests including two-time NBA all-star Caron Butler, Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), and Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) on a ride through Washington, D.C. on June 7 starting at 9:15 a.m. to coincide with the Crown Prince’s visit and the 50th anniversary of the Embassy of Denmark.

“This monumental ride also provides the opportunity to unite an elite group of leaders who recognize the benefits of bicycling locally, nationally and globally,” said League President Andy Clarke. “The ride starts on the new bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House – a proud addition to Washington, D.C.’s bike infrastructure improvements.”

Washington, D.C. is a League Bicycle Friendly Community, and the event will show the Crown Prince of Denmark, a major advocate of cycling worldwide, the advancements our nation’s capital has made for bicyclists, and to share our riders’ interests for getting bikes and bike education to our kids nationwide. At the press stop Clarke will announce a partnership between the League and Butler, formerly of the Washington Wizards before being traded earlier in the year to the Dallas Mavericks. Butler, who has created numerous initiatives to support underprivileged youth, founded Caron Butler’s Annual Bike Brigade in 2005. The program, which Butler personally funds, has given more than 2,500 bikes to kids in Racine, Wis. and Washington, D.C. The partnership will be a chance to give the Brigade a national
platform, and partner with an organization of cycling advocates who share the same goals, and strive to create a more bicycle-friendly America for children who might otherwise never get to enjoy the single pleasure of a bike ride.

“The Bike Brigade which I created in 2005, is a program that is all about getting kids on bikes, and keeping them active, healthy and most importantly out of trouble,“ said NBA All-Star Caron Butler. “I am excited to be back in D.C., where my family and I still live, to announce this relationship with the League of American Bicyclists. This partnership is all about promoting cycling, and it’s a great chance to work with such an established organization to give the Bike Brigade, a program I am very proud of, a national platform.”

Featured riders and cyclists Chairman Oberstar, representing the 8th Congressional District in Minnesota and Chair of the powerful Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Republican Congressman Tom Petri from Wisconsin’s 6th district and co-chair of the Congressional bike caucus, round out a truly “Bikepartisan” group.

“I am pleased to join the Crown Prince on this ride through D.C. to highlight the benefits of bicycling – not only is it good from a physical fitness and exercise perspective, but it is also a great way to see our capital city,” commented Rep. Petri. “I applaud Caron Butler for his dedication in helping kids here in D.C. and my own State of Wisconsin by establishing the Bike Brigade, which will benefit nationally from this new partnership.”

There will be a Media photo opportunity at Freedom Plaza from 9:45a.m. to 10:10a.m. where participants will be available for brief questions. For further event information, e-mail Meghan Cahill, League Director of Communications.

Read full League press release.