Nov. 5, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Do you remember the pure joy of hopping on a bicycle and going for a ride? Starting today, residents of Tamarac, Fla., will be able to experience the health benefits and fun of bike riding thanks to Freewheelin, a bike-sharing program created by Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM).

The Humana Guidance Center in Tamarac, a community resource that enables Humana to meet people in the community in which they live, will house a Freewheelin bike station with 18 bicycles. Anyone 18 or older can check out a Freewheelin bicycle between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, free of charge, by presenting a valid photo ID and credit card. Humana also will supply helmets and allow all riders to borrow bike locks for free.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring a permanent Freewheelin bike-sharing station to the Humana Guidance Center in Tamarac,” said Humana Florida Medicare and Medicaid Products CEO Michael A. Seltzer. “Bicycles are a fun way to get some exercise and a great way to get around town while doing something good for the environment and your health. We’ve seen a lot of success and enthusiasm with Humana’s Freewheelin program, and we expect to see many more delighted Freewheelers in Tamarac.”

As part of the Freewheelin program, Freewheelers will be able to participate in scheduled bike rides that will vary based from an easy, slow, scenic cruise to a longer, more athletic work out.

How Freewheelin Works

Bicycles will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Humana Guidance Center in Tamarac. Riders must present a credit card and a photo ID to check out a bike. No charges will be placed on the card, provided bikes are returned by 5 p.m. to the Humana Guidance Center. Freewheelers do not need to be Humana members to check out bikes. Humana will also supply helmets and allow riders to borrow bike locks free of charge. All riders will be required to attend a bicycle-safety information session and be fitted to their bicycles and helmets before heading out to the streets to pedal away. The Humana Guidance Center in Tamarac is located at King’s Point, 7666 Nob Hill Rd.

A launch and celebratory “community ride” is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Thurs., Nov. 5 at the Humana Guidance Center in Tamarac. People in the community are welcome to participate in the ride, on their own bikes, or using Freewheelin bikes.

Freewheelin’s Road to Success

In 2008, Humana and the bicycle-advocacy group Bikes Belong took 1,000 bicycles to each of the national political conventions. Over eight days, riders in Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul took more than 7,500 rides, pedaled nearly 42,000 miles, burned 1.3 million calories and reduced their carbon footprint by 14.6 metric tons.