Hundreds of new and seasoned Mesa County bike riders are expected to pedal to work for Bike to Work Day, Wednesday June 28. This day is a culmination of a month-long effort to promote cycling for transportation, recreation and health. Employees from Mesa County, the City of Grand Junction, the Bureau of Land Management and St. Mary’s Medical Center, among others, will commute.
At 7:30 a.m., Mesa County employees will depart the Community Services Campus at 510 29 ½ Road and ride to Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N. 5th St., to join other riders at a Bike to Work Day breakfast.
The public is invited to ride with Mesa County employees. The route map is available at HealthyMesaCounty.org. Residents should feel free to join in anywhere along the route. County employees will be wearing orange T-shirts.
The benefits of biking can help prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity and other conditions. Bikers also experience higher levels of well-being, self-confidence and stress tolerance. A substantial increase in bicycling and walking could reduce health costs by over $28 billion per year in the U.S. This is a chance to leave your car at home and enjoy biking to work.
“This is one of our favorite days at Mesa County Public Health,” said MCPH Executive Director Jeff Kuhr. “For many of us, Bike to Work Day is an annual nudge to get out and do something that we don’t normally do. For some, it’s the start of a new lifestyle.”
Other Bike to Work Day events include:
- Free community breakfasts being held from 6:30 – 9 a.m. at the Fruita Community Center, 324 N. Coulson St., and Octopus Coffee, 759 Horizon Dr. Suite F.
- Edgewater Brewery 905 Struthers Ave., and Kannah Creek Brewing Company West Fruita, 456 Kokopelli Dr., will host afterglow events from 6 – 8 p.m.
- Show up in your Bike to Work Day t-shirt and/or your bike helmet to receive a complimentary pint at either location.
- Commuter Challenge prizes will be awarded at Edgewater Brewery.
Don’t forget, Colorado Bike Month is for kids, too! Visit HealthyMesaCounty.org and click on Bike Month to learn how kids can earn a free ice cream cone or pass to a local pool!