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Press Release

This Sunday Mayor Dixon
kicks off the 16th Annual Tour du Port

Contact:
Carol Silldoff, Executive Director
One Less Car
410-960-6493
Carol@onelesscar.org
Maryland, October 2, 2009

The 16th annual Tour du PORT, Baltimore’s Premier Bicycle Event produced by One Less Car, rides again this Sunday October 4th, 2009. Mayor Dixon, who will be riding in the Tour, will kick-off the Tour du Port at approximately 7:15am this Sunday. This will be a day full of sunshine, fun, entertainment, exercise and healthy green and sustainable lifestyles! Already 1700 people are registered – an all time record number of participants! 300+ additional people are expected to register on Sunday.

An end of ride celebration for registrants includes entertainment by Everyman, a healthy sustainable lunch provided by Chipotle and Whole Foods, and a great time to meet new friends, spend the day with your family, enjoy this wonderful weather and socialize!

Registration is from 7am-8:30am this Sunday October 4th at the Canton Waterfront Park Korean War Memorial. REGISTER at www.onelesscar.org

The Baltimore Bicycle Club states, "Tour du Port is a superb way to intimately tour Baltimore. It is one of the coolest bike events around - and it certainly supports a cause that we support -bicycle safety! All proceeds fund smart commuting options and bicycle advocacy. What more could a bicyclist or commuter tired of congestion ask for from a bicycle event!"

Once a year in the fall, thousands of bicyclists take to the streets of Baltimore to have a great time and to bicycle in a show of solidarity for a movement. One Less Car, a Maryland non-profit organization, manages this fun filled ride through the streets, neighborhoods, parks and water port areas of charm city. Tour du Port participants see Baltimore from an intimate angle that one can’t see from inside a car. Tour du Port allows people to realize how Baltimore is easily navigated by bike. OLC works to raise awareness about the importance of alternative modes of smart transportation. Attend Baltimore’s Premier Bicycling Event the Tour du Port and you will be part of a Super Cool Bicycling Event Promoting a Terrific Cause! All fees go directly to advancing the programs and advocacy efforts of One Less Car, the non-profit organization dedicated to walking, bicycling and smart commuting opportunities. Visit www.onelesscar.org to learn more.

Carol Silldorff, Executive Director of One Less Car, says it best, “TOUR du Port gives average everyday folks a chance to enjoy the streets as playgrounds vs. experiencing the typical congestion and pollution created by an auto-centric society… The health and welfare of our population is directly related to having access to a multitude of safe and reliable modes of transportation. Making riding and walking viable transportation options helps increase our collective well-being.” Department of Transportation Director, Al Foxx, supports alternative modes of transportation to mitigate traffic congestion and alleviate air pollution. “We in Transportation strongly support the efforts of One Less Car and have partnered with them to raise awareness and promote the growth of smart transportation” said Al Foxx, “The Tour du Port is a great event that all would enjoy.”

The event is sponsored by American Lung Association, Baltimore Bicycle Club, Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Brown Hornet Design, Canton Crossing, Charm City Circulator, Chipotle, City Living, College Park and Mt. Airy Bicycles, Della Rose’s, EcoConsults, Howard County Living, Kelly Benefit Strategies, Kittleson and Associates, National Aquarium, Orthopedic Massage Therapy, Patient First, Princeton Sport, REI, Tour Dem Parks, Towson University, Urbanite Magazine, and Whole Foods. These sponsors understand the importance of the physical and emotional well being of our families, individuals, neighborhoods, cities and the planet as a whole. They believe that being a part of Tour du Port get us closer to that aim.

OLC already has counted the largest number of registrants in the history of the Tour – 2009 is a big year! Routes range from 12 to 50 miles. The fully supported Tour du Port includes lunch, refreshments at rest stops, map, SAG and a post-ride celebration with live music at the Tour's end.