Planned Parenthood to benefit from 5 Boro "Ride for a Reason" Bike Tour

Participants in this year's Five Boro Bike Tour on May 6 will be pedaling for Planned Parenthood New York City.

Bike New York announced this week it had added the embattled health service organization to the 40 or so other charities that will benefit from more than $1.2 million it expects to raise during this year's ride.

"We wanted to show our support for Planned Parenthood and their mission to provide women accessible health care," said Bike New York president and CEO Ken Podziba.

The 40-mile TD Five Boro "Ride for a Reason" Bike Tour is the nation's largest cycling event, drawing about 32,000 riders to its breezy, traffic-free pedalpalooza.

"We are deeply grateful to Bike New York for supporting our work in the community," said PPNYC senior advisor Dana Czuczka.

Last Friday, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation reversed a decision last month to revoke about $700,000 in grants that helped to provide breast health exams to 750,000 patients per year at Planned Parenthood clinics. Yesterday, Komen's vice-president for public policy, Karen Handel - the executive believed to have instigated the funding revocation -resigned.

More than $3 million in donations poured into Planned Parenthood from across the country after the Komen foundation's initial announcement to withdraw funding, said Czuczka, adding that her organization was "just overwhelmed by the public support."