by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Friday morning, Hemming Plaza was the focal point for this year’s “Ride Your Bike to Work Day.”
Mayor John Peyton presented a proclamation to Jeff Hohlstein, president of the North Florida Bicycle Club. “This event showcases the importance of the local cycling community,” said Hohlstein.
He also said the club is working with the City to develop better connectivity among neighborhoods in the county to make it possible for more people to use a bicycle more often and leave their cars and trucks at home.
Most trips are fewer than seven miles round-trip and many people work within five miles of where they live, so cycling could be an alternative. Hohlstein said riding a bicycle not only helps the environment, it also improves health and fitness.
Peyton also talked about the health benefits of cycling, particularly in terms of reducing health-care costs in the workplace. “We have an obligation as a City to provide bike-friendly roads,” said Peyton.
City Council member Don Redman has been an advocate for cycling for years and said “Ride Your Bike to Work Day” is a way to promote bicycling and bicycle safety.
“Motorists need to realize they need to share the road with us,” he said.
Jeff Hohlstein, president of the North Florida Bicycle Club, and City Council member Don Redman, who is an avid cyclist.
Mona Hover and Emily Nathanson from the National MS Society served breakfast to cyclists and distributed information about the Oct. 2-3 MS 150 bike ride and fundraiser.
North Florida Bicycle Club Vice President Bert Shaw and club member Jerry Dryden. On his birthday each year, Shaw rides the number of miles that match his age. He said last Sunday he marked the occasion by pedaling 82 miles.
Terrell Hogan partner Chris Burns said this was his 10th year participating in “Ride Your Bike to Work Day.”
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