Today's Bike-to-Work Day events include several group rides

By Carol Cole-Frowe

Transcript Staff Writer

Stop. Don't get into that car just yet.

It's Bike-to-Work Day and thousands of central Oklahoma bicyclists are heading off to work on their bicycles, with nary a drop of $3.60 per gallon unleaded gasoline.

At 7:30 a.m., a group ride will head out from Moore Norman Technology Center to the Norman Regional Education Center parking lot. And at 8 a.m., there will be group rides from Norman Regional, Reaves Park and Westwood Park, arriving at about 8:30 a.m. at Andrews Park.

The Andrews Park festivities will include bicyclists, the mayor and city councilmembers. The Healthy Community Coalition will award a bicycle to the Heart and Sole random winner from the six-week walking program and recognition of Mayor Cindy Rosenthal by Gov. Brad Henry for "work to improve the health of Norman citizens through (her) strong support of local parks, trails, bicycle routes and events."

But there are other bicycling efforts around Norman.

There are about 30 Sysco Foods employees leaving Brookhaven Village at 7 a.m. and riding to Sysco Foods at 1350 W. Tecumseh Road. Sysco is a Certified Healthy Business.

It will be about a four-mile journey for the group, who will be provided breakfast when they get there, said Sally Cavins, Sysco human resources generalist.

The Sysco plant does not have showers at its new facility, but fortunately it's Friday.

"It's a casual day for us," Cavins said.

She said the effort was tried last year but didn't catch on. This year, the ride has taken off, which she credits to Sysco's Weight Watchers group and encouragements to get moving.

"We're trying to be a role model and trying to encourage our employees," Cavins said. "And we'd like to encourage other businesses. ... The health in Oklahoma is not where it should be and we'd like to help make it change."

Moore Medical Center also is participating in Bike to Work Day. MMC is the destination site for that city's groups and will provide a "healthy breakfast" around 9 a.m.?