FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:   Malisa McCreedy 407-246-3347

Mayor Gets Wheels Spinning and Encourages Citizens to Celebrate Bike to Work Day, Friday May 20

More than 200 Miles of Bikeways Bring Opportunities for
Alternative Transportation in City of Orlando

ORLANDO, FL (May 18, 2005) – This week, the City of Orlando will celebrate more than 200 miles of bikeways by participating in national bike month with the Mayor’s proclamation of May as “BIKE TO WORK MONTH.”
Mayor Buddy Dyer encourages all citizens and visitors to celebrate Friday, May 20th as Bike to Work day by riding a bike to work this Friday, and exploring a healthier and less expensive way to commute. Bike to Work Day marks the 49th year that May has been declared National Bike Month in America, and creates awareness about the alternatives to driving to work.
“As a result of the City of Orlando’s Transportation Planning comprehensive plan, in the last 15 years, the City has increased its bikeways from three to 230 miles of bicycle lanes, trails and signed routes within the City of Orlando,” said Mayor Dyer. “We’re thrilled at the increasing number of cycling projects that will bring more opportunities to Orlando citizens for alternative methods of transportation.”

The City’s challenge, like all of Florida, is to increase safe accommodation of bicyclists in one of the three fastest growing states in the nation. In February, Orlando received a $4 million land acquisition grant from The Office of Greenways and Trails for the Shingle Creek Trail. Currently, construction is underway for the Alden Road Path, and construction of the Dinky Line Boardwalk and Phase I of Shingle Creek are set to begin this summer.
Last October the League of American Bicyclists granted Orlando the bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community Award following a detailed audit of the City's efforts to provide safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and to encourage residents to bike for transportation and recreation.
The 230 miles of bikeways system includes signed routes, bike lanes and multi-use paths that are now available for transportation and recreational use throughout Orlando (log on to http://www.cityoforlando.net/planning/Transportation/bikeways/tourmaps.html).
The City works hard to encourage our community to look at riding your bike for transportation, recreation, and exercise and we are proud of the bicycling opportunities we have been able to provide for the citizens of Orlando. For more information please call 407.246.3347 or log on to www.cityoforlando.net

Editor’s Note: On Friday, May 20th at 8:30 a.m., Mayor Dyer will bike from College Park to City Hall Plaza, where he will briefly speak about Orlando’s Bicycle-Friendly community and plans for City bicycle paths.

# # #