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Ochsner Children’s hosts These Bikes Change Lives Ride
Oct. 18 event with McLindon Family Foundation supports adaptive bikes for children with special needs
NEW ORLEANS - Ochsner Children’s and the McLindon Family Foundation invite community members and local media to attend the 2026 These Bikes Change Lives Ride and Fest on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development in New Orleans. The annual benefit ride raises funds to provide adaptive bikes for children with special needs and culminates in a family-friendly celebration featuring food, music, activities and adaptive bike presentations.
Registered riders will depart from and return to the Boh Center for 70-mile, 35-mile and 10-mile routes, with the main celebration taking place from 9 a.m. to noon. Three children will receive adaptive bikes at approximately 11 a.m., following brief remarks and a raffle after riders return to the Boh Center. The morning will close with a kids-inclusive ride at 11:20 a.m.
Event details
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
- Main celebration activities: 9 a.m. – noon
- The Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development, Ochsner Children’s
- 1319 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson, LA 70121
- Schedule:
- 6:30 a.m. – Rider check-in
- 7:15 a.m. – 70-mile ride departs
- 7:45 a.m. – 35-mile ride departs
- 8:15 a.m. – 10-mile ride departs
- 9 a.m. – Fest begins with food, DJ, face painting and more
- 10:45 a.m. – Speeches and raffle
- 11 a.m. – Adaptive bike presentation
- 11:20 a.m. – Kids-inclusive ride
These Bikes Change Lives
This annual benefit bike ride supports the McLindon Family Foundation's mission to provide adaptive bikes for children and young adults with special needs. The bikes are tailored for individuals with conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, traumatic brain injuries, Down syndrome, developmental delays/intellectual disability, hydrocephalus, autism and more. Since its founding, the foundation has delivered over 800 adaptive bikes, helping children build core strength, confidence and friendships while supporting greater inclusion and participation with family and friends.
Andrew McLindon, McLindon Family Foundation chairman and founder, said, “We are proud to continue our partnership with Ochsner Children’s through These Bikes Change Lives. This ride is about more than crossing a finish line. It is about helping children experience the strength, confidence and inclusion that come with having a bike built just for them.”
Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development
The Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development at Ochsner Children’s is committed to enhancing the lives of children and adolescents with developmental disorders. As Louisiana’s only comprehensive pediatric developmental center, the Boh Center provides expert care for neurodevelopmental disorders through collaborative, specialized evaluations and treatments grounded in the latest scientific evidence. Recognizing the vital role of families, the center actively involves parents as key team members, offering personalized education and resources tailored to each child’s needs.
“At the Michael R. Boh Center, we are dedicated to helping children with developmental challenges reach their full potential,” said Robert Voigt, MD, system medical director of the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development at Ochsner Children’s. “The These Bikes Change Lives Ride and Fest reflects the power of community, mobility and inclusion. We are honored to partner with the McLindon Family Foundation on an event that brings families together and helps children build confidence and independence.”
To learn more about this benefit bike ride and celebration, visit These Bikes Change Lives Bike Ride Fundraiser 2026.
To learn about the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development, visit www.ochsner.org/boh/.
Media RSVP
Media RSVP is required to attend this event and receive parking instructions. Contact: pr@ochsner.org.
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About Ochsner Children’s
Ochsner Children’s is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric healthcare, serving children and families across Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South. Ochsner Children’s provides nationally recognized expert care across a wide range of pediatric specialties and subspecialties, helping families access advanced care close to home. Opening in early 2028, Ochsner Children’s new home, The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital, will set a new standard for pediatric care as the Gulf South’s most advanced children’s hospital. Visit Ochsner Children's to learn more.