4th Annual Bike or Walk to Work Day this Friday 

In recognition of National Bike-Walk to Work Day, Healthier Cumberland will be sponsoring the 4th annual Community Bike or Walk to Work Day on Friday, May 18th.  This event is free and open to both individual and business team participants.  A traveling trophy will be awarded to the local business with the highest percentage of employee participation. 

Bike or Walk to Work Day gives bicycle commuters and non-commuters alike the chance to learn more about traveling by bicycle. Did you know that only 7 to 10 percent of bicyclists are regular commuters? Bike to Work Day is for anyone wanting to ride their bicycle or walk to and from work or school, or to improve their existing routines. And just think, you will be doing much more than just walking or biking to work. Consider these facts:

  • Walking or bicycling reduces pollution and helps stem global warming
  • Walking or bicycling reduces traffic congestion
  • Walking or bicycling reduces run-away transportation costs resulting from driving

There are other benefits, too. First, both biking and walking burn calories. Walking burns an average of 200 to 400 calories per hour.  Bicycling burns 350 to 700 calories per hour. People can increase aerobic fitness by 20% within only a few weeks of starting to bike or walk regularly. It also saves you money. Walking is basically free. The average bike trip costs one cent per mile compared to 34 cents per mile for a car. Biking to work one day can reduce commuting costs up to 20%.  While walking may take a little more time, bicycling can actually save you time. Bicycle trips of three miles or less can actually decrease travel time. If you don’t want to bike all the way from home, drive the bike into town and bike from where you parked. 
Here are some safety tips when biking to work:

  • Ride on the right
  • Always ride in the same direction as traffic
  • The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists
  • Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs, lights, and lane markings
  • Always use hand signals to indicate your intention to stop or turn to motorists and cyclists
  • Always wear a properly fitting helmet
  • Ride predictably, ride in a straight line and don't swerve in the road or between parked cars
  • Be visible, wear brightly colored clothing at all times

For more information or to register your business, call Jeanette Olsen at 419-0774.