Press Release
Prime, Inc. Trucking to Transform Driver Health
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Starting in late summer 2012, Montague Corporation, a Cambridge, MA based bicycle company, and Prime, Inc. Trucking, based out of Springfield, MO, will be partnering to pioneer an advancement in the trucking industry, a sea change in health. America relies on its trucking industry for economic success, but hundreds of hours behind the wheel add up; as a result long haul trucking has one of the highest obesity rates of any industry. Obesity and related health issues have been linked to high crash rates, but that is all about to change.
This year’s chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Mr. Robert Low, founder and president of Prime, Inc. has made a solemn commitment to create a culture of fitness in the trucking industry. At the forefront of this movement is Mr. Siphiwe Baleka of Fitness Trucking, Inc., who has joined Prime, Inc. as Driver Fitness Coach. A former Ivy League swimming champion and recent distinguished triathlon winner, Mr. Baleka has been working to create this culture of fitness, even while working as a lease-operator with Prime.
And this year, at the National Truck Driving Championship in Minneapolis, MN Mr. Baleka will be taking the first steps in a partnership with Montague Corporation, the industry leader in full-size bikes that fold. Montague bikes which fold in less than 20 seconds, to a compact 36”x 28”x 12”, are equipped with standard components, full-size wheels, and a patented folding system that doesn’t compromise ride quality. In an industry where space, speed, and performance are crucial, Montague bikes provide the opportunity for fitness on the go: folding saves space, no tools required saves time. A Montague folding bike provides an onboard solution for fitness in one of America’s great industries, improving health, fitness, and quality of life for those on the road.
Mr. Baleka will be promoting a culture of fitness in the industry, with Montague folding bikes as the onboard gym. Fitness Trucking already offers services to individuals and fleets who want to improve their health. Prime, Inc. will be increasing the scope of this mission over the next year, including the formation of trucker triathlon teams. To show its support for fitness in the trucking industry, the U.S.A. Triathlon team contracted Fitness Trucking and Prime, Inc. to carry athletes’ bicycles to the final USA Triathlon Olympic qualifier this year in San Diego, CA.
Riding foldable bikes allows truckers to bypass the limited hours and monthly membership fees of a gym, and to fit more extensive, rigorous workouts into their busy schedules. This kind of exercise is a powerful weapon in the battle for health and wellness. Studies have shown that the majority of truck drivers are overweight or obese. One obesity related health concern is sleep apnea. Persistently disrupted sleep, which is the hallmark of apnea, leaves overweight operators exhausted and driving long distances in a chronically fatigued state. Further studies have linked this chronic fatigue to high rates of collisions. Tired drivers are more likely to cause crashes, making the roads more dangerous for all users. The fitness movement within the trucking industry aims to change these trends.
Trucking demands a high level of focus and commitment, for countless hours behind the wheel. This focus and commitment, when directed toward fitness, is sure to yield success. Together Montague Corp. and Prime, Inc. are working to ensure the health of an industry at the heart of America, making the roads safer for everyone, whether they’re on two wheels or eighteen.
For more information on Montague’s complete line of pavement and mountain bikes that fold, visit www.montaguebikes.com or contact Montague at 800-736-5348.
About Montague Corporation
Montague Corporation is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is dedicated to advancing cycling through the development of inventive technologies that provide its customers with an unprecedented combination of performance and convenience. Montague has been manufacturing bikes and bike components for over 25 years. Visit www.montaguebikes.com or call toll free (800) 736-5348 for more information about Montague products and technologies.
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