Traverse City Cyclists and BCBSM Work in Tandem to Support Healthy Lifestyles
bcbsm
| 2 min read
Each year the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation, TART, takes 600 bikers for a ride and it’s all for a worthy cause. The annual Tour de TART bicycle ride celebrated 18 years on Friday, July 20. The event is the organization's largest fundraiser, bringing in about $20,000 annually, which goes toward maintaining their network of multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a premier sponsor. “The bike tour encourages families to go outside and experience our beautiful state, while getting fit and having fun,” said Suzanne Miller Allen, director, BCBSM Community Responsibility. “We support TART because they are a state leader in trail access and expansion.”
Tour de TART is a 17-mile bike ride from the heart of Traverse City to the Suttons Bay Marina Park in Leelanau County. Countless volunteers, community partners and sponsors, such as Blue Cross, make the event possible. At the end of the ride, bikers are greeted with a bayside dinner and a ride back to Traverse City. Access to safe trails and recreation spaces is an important way communities can promote a healthy lifestyle and something Blue Cross is proud to support. “We’re fortunate to be supported by organizations who understand what we’re trying to do, like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network,” said Brian Beauchamp, outreach and program director, TART Trails. “Part of our mission is developing and maintaining trails and the other part is encouraging their use. An event like Tour de TART, which gets families out on the trail, supports active lifestyles and helps us continue our investment in community health and wellness.” If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
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Courtesy photos
