Cedars-Sinai Blog
Every Day is Bike to Work Day for Imaging Specialist
Today, Juan Castillo is the picture of health. But 4 years ago, the 39-year-old administrative specialist at the Imaging Center at Cedars-Sinai was having problems.
Back then, after not feeling well for weeks, he finally went to see his doctor. The culprit for his woes, it turned out, was high blood pressure and an extra 30 pounds.
Juan decided it was time to get more active. "I may as well go buy a bicycle," thought the South LA resident, who in his youth rode mountain bikes on the trails of San Gabriel Valley foothills.
Every day he chose a bus stop farther and farther away from his final stop in South LA.
Juan, a Cedars-Sinai employee for 13 years, joined more than 100 employees who bike to work and take advantage of the Ride$ to Riche$ Program, a hospital Rideshare initiative that offers incentives for cyclers.
"Juan is one of our most dedicated bicyclists," says Dakota Allen, Rideshare coordinator.
At around 30 miles round-trip per day, Juan's daily commute usually takes from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Wisely, Juan didn't start out trying to bike his entire 30-mile commute.
Juan Castillo commutes by bike 30 miles round trip every day.
Juan, a Cedars-Sinai employee for 13 years, joined more than 100 employees who bike to work and take advantage of the Ride$ to Riche$ Program, a hospital Rideshare initiative that offers incentives for cyclers.
"Juan is one of our most dedicated bicyclists," says Dakota Allen, Rideshare coordinator.
At around 30 miles round-trip per day, Juan's daily commute usually takes from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Wisely, Juan didn't start out trying to bike his entire 30-mile commute.
Each day, he'd load his old 17-gear Schwinn bike onto a city bus and choose a stop to disembark and bicycle home. Every day he chose a bus stop farther and farther away from his final stop in South LA.
It took 6 months before Juan was willing to bike all the way home, but since then, he hasn't looked back. The benefits have been outstanding.
He soon shed that extra 30 pounds and his blood pressure dropped to a point his doctor deemed excellent. Meanwhile, his energy level soared.
And he saves about $160 a month in gas and parking fees.
Most days on his commute, the LA native prefers breezing past commuters on Venice Boulevard near downtown. He takes a variety of side streets, staying off main thoroughfares unless they have bike lanes. When it rains, he takes the bus.
Biking has opened Juan up to new friendships and adventures. He's now a member of several bicycling groups and has pedaled all over Southern California. Some weekends, he grabs some friends and bikes from Venice to San Diego, returning by train in the evening.
Juan now has 4 bikes, and he rides his high-end Cannondale Track to work. He still has the Schwinn and is refurbishing 2 other bikes, including a classic Eddy Merckx.
"I love my bikes," he said.
