If you're looking to move more, save money or avoid parking problems, you're not alone. Learn about the benefits of biking from Mayo Clinic staff and make plans to join them in a ride-along.

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Every weekday morning, Vanessa Kronzer, M.D., swipes her badge for access to the secure bike room on the Rochester campus after a short 11-minute commute to work. She's one of an estimated 400 Rochester-based staff members who bike to work during the summer.

"It started as a means to get by without a car in med school, but I loved it, and it gradually ramped up from there," says Dr. Kronzer. "I never thought I'd become one of those extreme winter bikers, but during a mild winter, I slowly started adding an extra piece of clothing here and there, and then it was February. I decided to just finish out the year and realized it wasn't that bad. I have biked year-round since then."

Mayo Clinic staff will lead rides from five different Rochester neighborhoods to the downtown or Saint Marys campuses in the coming weeks. Join a ride-along near you if you're curious about biking.

Northeast Rochester — Quarry Hill Neighborhood

Bicyclist: Vanessa Kronzer, M.D.
Role at Mayo Clinic: Consultant in Rheumatology
Years at Mayo Clinic: 7 years
Route distance: 2 miles to downtown campus
Total ride time: 11 minutes

What is your favorite part about biking to work?

Dr. Kronzer couldn't pick just one thing. Here are some of her favorites:

1. It's beautiful. I pass so many parks and rivers on the way — what a beautiful start and end to the day.
2. It's faster. Total transit time is equal or even less once you count parking.
3. It's social. You get to see and talk with your friends.
4. It's invigorating. There is evidence from the University of Michigan that being outside and exercising improves our cognitive performance.
5. It's exercise. Who couldn't use a two-for-one in our busy lives?
6. It's green. Bikers make less noise pollution and take less space, which is a major problem downtown.
7. It's cheaper. No gas required!
8. It's healthy. Strong evidence shows that outside and exercise improves our mood/wellness and longevity.
9. We have the chance to not only deliver the best healthcare but live it and model it ourselves.

Northeast Rochester ride-along with Dr. Kronzer:
When: Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7:40 a.m.
Meet: Jefferson Elementary South Playground
Route: Silver Lake Park Trail to downtown

Northwest Rochester — Assisi Heights Neighborhood

Bicyclists: Emily Doskey and Luke Doskey, Ph.D.
Roles at Mayo Clinic:
Emily Doskey: Clinical nurse specialist
Luke Doskey, Ph.D.: Research fellow
Years at Mayo Clinic: 8 years
Route distance: 1.5 miles to downtown campus
Total ride time: 9 minutes

Why do you bike to work?

"Biking is a passion for both of us," says Emily Doskey. "We use biking as transportation and as a way to support our well-being by building it directly into our day. We recently took a trip to the Netherlands and noticed how happy the people who were biking seemed. We wanted to bring that joy home with us, so we've started to walk or bike to as many of the places as possible."

"I enjoy the flexibility of arriving at or leaving work whenever I need to," says Dr. Doskey. "I don't feel pressured to arrive early to find a spot, spend time searching for one, or worry about catching the bus on time. I also enjoy engaging people at a human level. I can be immersed in my surroundings and say, 'hi' to people I meet along the way."

Northwest Rochester ride-along with the Doskeys:
When: Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7:25 a.m.
Meet: Washington Elementary School drop-off area
Route: North Cascade Creek to downtown

Northwest Rochester — 55th Street NW Neighborhood

Bicyclists: Kyle Sevits and Jessie Wilburn
Roles at Mayo Clinic:  
Sevits: Senior research technologist in Endocrinology
Wilburn: Physician assistant in Emergency Medicine
Years at Mayo Clinic:  
Sevits: 2 years 
Wilburn: 4 years 
Route distance: 6.5 miles to the Saint Marys Campus 
Total ride time: 35 minutes  

Why do you choose to bicycle?

"Cycling is a passion of ours, a mode of transportation, a form of exercise, and a great excuse to spend hours outside," says Sevits. "Jessie fell in love with cycling in college while a part of her university's club cycling team, and my admiration for it grew while immersed in Colorado's vast cycling community."

"We have commuted by bus, train, car, on foot and by bike at different times in our lives. Human-powered transportation, whether by bike or on foot, is by far our favorite," Sevits says. "It provides an opportunity for quiet reflection on the way home from work, helping us regroup and transition from work to home life."

Northwest Rochester ride-along with Sevits and Wilburn:  
When: Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 a.m. 
Meet: White Oaks Park Softball Field
Route: Douglas Trail to Saint Marys Campus

Southwest Rochester — Bamber Heights Neighborhood

Bicyclist: Kara Dupuy-McCauley, M.D.
Role at Mayo Clinic: Consultant in Pulmonary
Years at Mayo Clinic: 7 years
Route distance: 3.5 miles to the Saint Marys Campus or 4.5 miles to the downtown campus
Total ride time: 20 minutes to the Saint Marys Campus or 25 minutes to the downtown campus

What do you need to bike to work?

"You don't need fancy equipment," says Dr. Dupuy-McCauley. A bike, lock and helmet fit the bill.

"Over the years, I've acquired more specialized gear to customize my experience, but not all of it is completely necessary," she says. "What you need will depend on your commute."  

Southwest Rochester ride-along with Dr. Dupuy-McCauley:
When: Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7:25 a.m.
Meet: Corner of West Circle Drive and Country Club Road
Route: Second Street Southwest to downtown Rochester campus

Southeast Rochester — Slatterly Park Neighborhood

Bicyclist: Mike Peters 
Role at Mayo Clinic: HTM lead tech  
Years at Mayo Clinic: 6 years
Route distance: 1 mile to downtown campus
Total ride time: 5 minutes

Do you bike outside of getting to work?

In a word? Yes.

"In the summer of 2019, I biked 2,000 miles," says Peters. "Biking is a passion for me, but it is also a social activity. You can bike by yourself or join a group or club to meet new people and go for a ride. I ride with a group that meets weekly, we ride anywhere between 30 to 50 miles. You do not need to go that far or fast to participate, either. Smaller sections of the group will only bike for half or even a quarter of the full ride."

Southeast Rochester ride-along with Peters:
When: Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7:35 a.m.
Meet: South side of the Bethel Lutheran Church parking lot
Route: Zumbro River Trail to downtown Rochester campus