LACBC PRESS RELEASE
Car-Free Fridays!
L.A. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BILL ROSENDAHL TO JOIN SECOND OFFICIAL "CAR-FREE FRIDAY" BICYCLE RIDE FEB 27
- New campaign strives to create a more bike-able, cleaner and healthier Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) today announced that Los Angeles City Council member Bill Rosendahl will join a growing number of bicyclists on the second official "Car Free-Fridays" ride that will take place in West Los Angeles this Friday, February 27. Members of the public are invited to join the ride and show their support for bicycling as a cost-effective and sustainable commute alternative.
The new campaign is aimed at getting more people on bikes and to highlight the global and personal benefits of riding a bicycle at least one Friday per month. Both new and experienced riders will help prove that Angelinos can and will leave their cars at home for the greater public good.
Council member Rosendahl is the second prominent L.A. City Council official to promote the benefits of bicycle commuting so far this year. L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti kicked off the campaign with an inaugural ride through Hollywood in January.
"Cycling can play an important role in helping us find solutions to traffic congestion," said Council member Bill Rosendahl. "Rides like this can help people get more comfortable using their bikes for commuting and short trips. Every trip we make by bicycle keeps a car off the road and even reduces parking demand. Plus, it helps us introduce a healthful activity into our daily lives.
Riders will meet at 8 a.m. at the West LA City Center on Santa Monica and Corinth, where Council member Rosendahl will join riders before commuters ride to Westwood End in Century City / Ave. of the Stars area.
Choosing to commute by bicycle, even on occasion, can have immediate positive results on health, pocketbooks and the environment. "Car-Free Fridays is a great way to get to know your bicycle," said Alex Kenefick, LACBC board president. "Four years later, you may look back fondly remembering the exhilaration you felt that day riding to work for the first time with friends and co-workers."
New bicycle commuters find the experience rewarding in many ways. "Since I started riding to work, I have lost weight and I feel great," said Samantha Cooke, a new rider who recently began commuting at least three times per week on her bicycle.
"Car-Free Fridays is great idea that will encourage folks to start and continue bicycling", comments Ron Milam, of BikeSage.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has become a priority for many Angelinos, but it is not always easy to dedicate extra time and money to get to the gym every week.
According to the British Heart Association, cycling at least three hours a week cuts your risk of heart disease in half compared to those who do not cycle or perform other exercise.
"Studies have shown that exercise such as cycling can reduce levels of depression and stress and improve mood and self-esteem," said Marisa K. Bell, MD Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
The average American spends $8400 a year to own a vehicle, whereas it only costs about $300 a year to own a bike. For that five- mile commute to work you can burn 360 calories and work to reduce traffic congestion, which costs the regional economy $9.3 billion annually. The U.S. could save 462 million gallons of gasoline a year just by increasing cycling from 1% to 1.5% of all trips.
Founded in 1998, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) works to build a better, more bike-able Los Angeles County. LACBC is the only nonprofit, membership-supported organization working exclusively for the millions of bicyclists in Los Angeles County. Through advocacy, education and outreach, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition brings together the diverse bicycling community in a united mission to make the entire L.A. region a safe and enjoyable place to ride.
For more information please go to www.la-bike.org or contact aurisha@la-bike.org
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