Residents Encouraged to Join Winter Park Bike to Work Day

Leaders of Healthy Central Florida and the City of Winter Park, along with sponsors AdventHealth and the Winter Park Health Foundation, are encouraging Winter Park business owners and area residents to trade in their automobiles for bicycles and join Bike to Work Day on March 8.

The benefits of bicycling to both individuals and communities are numerous, and include reducing stress, managing weight and elevating mood. For businesses, it could also lead to lower health care costs and improved employee morale.

Encouraging employees to bike to work is a simple way for business owners or managers to help their employees be healthier and happier, said Jill Hamilton Buss, Executive Director of Healthy Central Florida. Not only does a healthy workforce reduce health care expenses, but studies have shown people are generally happier and less stressed at work when they cycle. This is a great opportunity for local businesses to encourage and support their employees as they make their health a priority.

Studies show communities that are bike-friendly experience benefits such as increased home values. Businesses also benefit research shows 10 customers who arrive by bike fit in the parking space of one customer who arrives by car.

Not only is biking beneficial to health, but it is also great for the environment and reduces traffic in the city, said Mayor Steve Leary. We hope Winter Parks businesses will join us as we celebrate Bike to Work Day in the city.

Healthy Central Florida and the City of Winter Park are spearheading Bike to Work Day activities, which include a group ride and social gathering afterward. Check-in begins at 3:30 pm and riders should meet on Garfield Avenue directly behind the main stage in Central Park. The group ride, for those 18 years old and older, will begin at 4 pm The after party will begin at 5 pm at Park Social located at 358 N. Park Ave. Free bike valet service will be available near the main stage in Central Park for secure bike parking from 3:30 to 8 pm

The first 200 registered riders will receive a t-shirt and the organization with the most riders will win a prize package including a half-page advertisement in the Winter Park Maitland Observer, catered breakfast for up to 30 people, a FitBit Flex2, water bottles, t-shirts and pedometers, courtesy of Healthy Central Florida.

To register for Bike to Work Day, email [email protected] or call Call407-599-3411. For more information about Bike to Work, contact Hamilton Buss at Call407-619-0410 or [email protected].

For media inquiries, contact AdventHealth Corporate Communications at Call407-303-8217.