The Morton Arboretum Now Offering Year-Round Bicycling

New Initiative Promotes Greening; Special Events Planned

LISLE, IL (July 27, 2007) – Going green at The Morton Arboretum means you stay in the pink.

More and more people are taking advantage of the healthful, exciting, new greening option: expanded bicycling privileges at the Arboretum, where everyone is now welcome to bike year-round, weather-permitting. Previously, biking was a member-only activity, and limited to May through August on select evenings.

Cycling in an urban setting is good for you, but experts say spending time in a serene, natural setting with lush, green trees provides an important, healthful bonus.

“Riding in a setting like The Morton Arboretum is not only peaceful but also relieves stress,” says Dr. Kevin Most, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. “It is a great way to exercise as a family. It’s great for your heart, lungs and weight management. Bike riding is also very gentle on the wear and tear of joints, and is also great for those with arthritis as it helps in joint mobility without putting direct stress on the joint.”

Besides, Dr. Most says, riding bicycles is enjoyable, and depending on the terrain a rider chooses, bicycling allows for light exercise all the way to a full-blown cardiac workout, without spending a lot of money on fancy equipment.

“I’m a big fan of bike riding,” he says.

The new biking privileges allow visitors a more “up close and personal” way to experience the lovely Arboretum tree collections, as compared with driving through the grounds. Biking saves gas and means less pollution. Arboretum roads are hilly, providing riders a fun, exciting challenge. Biking is free with Arboretum admission.

Several special Arboretum events occur on August 12 in tandem with the new biking privileges.

Riders can feast on a robust breakfast, with pancakes, scramblers, or omelets enhancing the usual Ginkgo Room and Restaurant offerings, from 8 – 11 a.m.

After breakfast, there’s a free fitness clinic from 8:30 – 10 a.m. in the Visitor Center area. Sports medicine experts from AthletiCo explain the secrets of stretching and injury prevention. They’ll also discuss how to make sure your equipment fits properly.

Then, at 9:30, it’s time to start pedaling in a free, one-hour, guided bike ride. A docent leads visitors on a non-strenuous five-mile nature ride through the Arboretum’s sunny expanses to see the tree collections at the height of summer splendor, and learn about other plants and birds along the way.  The trip concludes at its starting point: the Visitor Center bike rack.

All bicyclists are required to remain on the nine miles of roads, with the trails reserved for walkers and those in quiet contemplation. The Arboretum follows the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road, published by the Secretary of State’s office. Bike racks are available at the Visitor Center and in several locations on the grounds. A Bicycle Patrol assists riders who need help or information. The Arboretum strongly recommends that riders wear helmets, as does Dr. Most.

“We always recommend that all cyclists wear well-fitted helmets.  Riding as a family with mom and dad wearing a helmet also sends children a great message that the parents are serious about bike safety,” Most says.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,057 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier, Central Time. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074 to learn more.

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