Bike to Work Week

Fernando Bertrand
Chief of Police/Director of Security
Texas Medical Center
(713) 791-6129
fbertrand@texasmedicalcenter.org

TMC Bike-to-Work Day May 18th

HOUSTON – If you ride your bike to work in the Texas Medical Center or are
considering dusting off that two-wheeler to be healthier and save money on fuel and
parking, come to the celebration of Bike-to-Work week at the John P. McGovern
Commons on May 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

New bike commuters will join hundreds of other cyclists who make the Texas
Medical Center the most “biked-to” workplace in the city of Houston. In the midst of an
epidemic of obesity and sedentary living, this kind of physical activity makes TMC a
model for the rest of the city.

“Biking to work can be a safe activity with the right equipment and knowledge
about safety rules,” said Fernando Bertrand, Texas Medical Center Chief of Police. Any
cyclist will need a dependable bicycle, a helmet and lights for both the front and back of
your bicycle, as well as knowledge about the local and state cycling laws. The City of
Houston and the League of American Bicyclists provide a free online course on traffic
skills for bicyclists.

The Texas Medical Center Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Committee plans to provide
information on safe cycling through this event. Taking part will be members of The
University of Texas at Houston Police Department and Texas Medical Center Police
and Security Services, representatives of BikeHouston (a local advocacy group) and
instructors in safe cycling. Planetary Cycles, a local bicycle shop, will also have
examples of good bike locks, lights, and other safety equipment needed for commuting
in the city.

Also – please take this survey about bicycling that will be used to
advocate for safer routes and better laws to encourage bicycle commuting.
“The city of Houston and BikeHouston have set May 20th for the local Bike-to-
Work day this year. In the morning, cyclists from around the city will converge on City
Hall downtown. Setting the TMC event two days earlier means that dedicated cyclists
can take part in both,” Bertrand said.

Bike to work week should be every week, but take the challenge and start now!

Still not convinced? Here are more reasons to ride your bike.