Every Friday from October to December, reThink – a program of the Florida Department of Transportation – will lead a morning ride from one of Orlando’s neighborhoods into downtown.

The campaign is in response to the Go DTO: Downtown Orlando Commute Challenge, which took place in May 2016. The effort challenged people to reThink their commute to Downtown Orlando. Of the 565 commuters who participated, 25% live in four zip codes: 32801, 32803, 32804 and 32806. Those zip codes represent Audubon Park Garden District, College Park, Downtown South, Ivanhoe Village District, Mills 50, and Thornton Park. These neighborhoods are within biking distance to worksites in Downtown Orlando – yet more than half of these Go DTO participants reported driving alone to work.

To encourage short-distance commuters to try biking, reThink Program Manager Courtney Reynolds and staff will lead a bike ride from a different Orlando neighborhood each Friday from October through December. The rides will start at 7 a.m., and leave from the following locations:

• East End Market in Audubon Park Garden District – First Fridays – November 4, December 3.
• The Gallery at Mills Park, serving Ivanhoe Village and Mills 50 – Second Fridays – October 14, November 11, December 9.
• Downtown Credo in College Park –Third Fridays – October 21, November 18, December 16.
• The Coffee Garden in Downtown South – Fourth Fridays – October 28, November 25, December 23.

Each meetup location is near a Juice Bikes station, Orlando’s bike share program. Helmets are strongly recommended; reThink has a limited number of helmets that riders can borrow. The reThink staff will lead a return ride after the work day, or provide a free LYNX bus pass.

Commuters are encouraged to ask questions of the reThink staff at 8 a.m. each Friday at the Downtown Credo located in Downtown Orlando in the Exchange Building. More information is available by calling 866-610-RIDE (7433).