The Friends of Reading Hospital and the Reading Hospital Community Wellness team will donate two electric bikes to the West Reading and City of Reading Police Departments. Representatives from the hospital will present one bike to Sergeant Chad Marks from the West Reading Police Department. In addition, they will present one bike to Officer Gregory Zawilla from the City of Reading Police Department. The presentation will occur outside the 6th Avenue Clock Tower entrance at Reading Hospital on Wednesday, July 26, at 10 a.m.
The e-bike donation was first announced in May during the hospital’s annual “Bike to Work” event. As part of this year’s event relaunch, the hospital wanted to reinstate the bike donation program. This program shows support and gratitude for local municipal police departments that protect community members. These e-bikes are designed specifically for professionals who serve others, such as police officers, EMTs, fire department personnel, park rangers, and forest service employees.
“Both the West Reading and City of Reading Police Departments are invaluable partners to Reading Hospital,” said Desha Dickson, Tower Health Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Wellness. “We all share the common goal of keeping our community safe and healthy. I’m honored to be part of this event to recognize their extraordinary efforts and commitment to our community. These bikes are a small way we can thank them for their service.”
With the addition of e-bikes, both the police and the community will benefit:
- Assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution, as well as traffic congestion during patrols and emergency responses.
- Officers arrive at a scene faster than on a traditional pedal bike.
- Officers will be less fatigued during pursuits and responses.
- E-bikes can go where traditional patrol vehicles cannot (e.g., through narrow passages, alleys, high-traffic areas, and densely populated areas including sidewalks, pedestrian zones, bike paths, large events, etc.)
- E-bikes are easier to ride.
- With the increased visibility of e-bikes, communities are more engaged and customers are served more efficiently.
- Due to their lower purchase, maintenance, and fuel costs, bike patrols are more cost-effective than traditional patrol cars.
“The Friends are proud to collaborate with the hospital’s Community Wellness Department and our local police departments,” Sharon Keating, President, The Friends of Reading Hospital, said. “Through our donations, we strive to support the broader needs of our community. We also assist the hospital in addressing the opportunities identified in the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment Implementation Plan. The e-bikes will help make progress in the areas of green commuting and violence prevention.”
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across service lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and has been named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022 and 2023. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.