Care Center Invites Public to Join Bike Event Friday

You are invited to join a host of others in an opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise this week. The Lake Wales Care Center is encouraging area residents to take part in the National Ride Your Bike to Work Day by participating in the fun event this Friday, May 20.

National Bike to Work Day promotes the bicycle as a healthy and safe alternative for commuting to work.

Scores of bicycle enthusiasts and novices are expected to join an escorted tour around the downtown area before participating in a free picnic sponsored by the Care Center Bicycle Ministry. That group acquires and rehabilitates bicycles which are often donated to those needing reliable transportation to work and shopping in town.

The Bicycle Ministry will also make "loaners" available to anyone needing wheels for the event, which will begin at 11:45 am at the Care Center's bicycle facility at 205 North Scenic Highway. The entrance is on East Orange Avenue about 150 feet west of the intersection.

According to Dwayne Goldman, one of the managers of the program, attendees will have an opportunity to make final adjustments to their bikes or get assistance from staff before hearing a five-minute overview of the program. The actual 30-minute ride begins at 12:10 pm. and will conclude with a presentation on the plans for bike friendly enhancements from representatives of the Citry of Lake Wales and Lake Wales Main Street.

The ministry is also preparing to launch the city's first bicycle rental program, offering both visitors and residents an opportunity to grab a pair of wheels for tours of the city, or just exercise.

National Bike to Work Day is an annual event taking place on the third Friday in May during National Bike Month. The observance encourages people to bike to work and is intended to raise awareness of cyclists who commute to and from work each day.

According to urban planners, bicycles are the fastest-growing form of transportation in the United States. In the United States, from the year 2000 to 2011, the number of bicycle commuters grew by more than 47 percent.

As bicycles become a more popular form of transportation for commuters, it's important for both cyclists and drivers to share the road safely, learn the rules of sharing the road and the relevant traffic laws.

Lake Wales is among communities adding bike lanes to improve safety for riders.

According to the "National Day" website, some of the benefits of commuting to work by bicycle include:

Physical fitness – Cyclists get an aerobic workout before and after work. It's also low impact exercise that is easy on the joints, unlike jogging.

Fuel savings – They save fuel costs, which puts more money back in their pockets.

Smaller carbon footprint – By cycling, they reduce carbon emissions resulting in cleaner air.

Automobile longevity – Get more life out of their motor vehicle by using it only for more necessary trips.

The full schedule of the event is as follows:

11:45-12:05. - meet and get bikes ready

12:05 - CC bike program overview

12:10 - bike ride

12:35- city / Main Street presentation on the plans for bike friendly enhancements

12:40-1:00 - lunch

1:00 - 2:00 - optional for those interested - extended bike ride

For more information about helping sponsor, what's happening or ways you can participate please contact Dwayne Goldman at 863.257.8654.