Bridges Healthcare Hosts 34th Annual Folks on Spokes & Step Forward Ride + Walk in Milford

Bridges Healthcare invites community members to join its 34th Annual Folks on Spokes & Step Forward Ride +Walk for mental health on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 8:00am at Fowler Field in downtown Milford. This annual event, one of the longest running charity rides in the state, attracts hundreds of cyclists and walkers who participate to raise critical funds and awareness for mental health and addiction recovery services that help thousands of local people every year.

“Since this event began in 1991, the greater Milford community has been riding and now walking to support Bridges Healthcare’s vital programs for mental health and substance use disorders. We appreciate the strong bonds we have created with our clients, supporters and event sponsors and look forward to remaining your local connection to health,” says Jennifer Fiorillo, Bridges CEO and President.

Event participants can choose from 5, 10, 20 or 40 mile cycling routes or take part in a 5K walk—all are along the scenic Connecticut shoreline. Attendees can ride or walk individually or as a team. Fundraising is encouraged and free registration is offered to each person who commits to raising $100 by September 14, 2025.

In addition to the ride and walk, the event features:

• A Remembrance Ceremony to honor lives lost to suicide, addiction and overdose or honor those who are still with us on their own journeys.
• Music, kids’ activities, and family-friendly fun
• A free lunch and T-shirt for all registered participants
• Community resource tables and opportunities to connect with local mental health advocates

Early registration discounts are available through August 17, 2025. After that, pre-event registration fees are $50 per cyclist, $35 per walker, $15 for youth under 18 and children 6 and under are free. Registration on the day of the event is $60 per cyclist and $40 per walker.

Hundreds of riders, walkers, and volunteers are expected to attend to support Bridges’ community mental health and addiction recovery programs and services. The goal is to raise $45,000 which will help adults, children and families move toward healing, recovery, and renewal. Last year, Bridges reached nearly 9,000 individuals through outpatient, in-home, community outreach and coordinated prevention efforts.

The event’s major sponsors are NFP, The Milford Bank, and The Cretella-Boni Family. To register, sponsor, volunteer, or learn more, visit https://bit.ly/BridgesRideWalk2025.

About Bridges Healthcare

Bridges is the local mental health authority for Milford, Orange, West Haven, and the surrounding communities, offering over twenty unique mental health and addiction recovery programs for children, families, adults, and young adults. Bridges’ recovery-focused services support individuals with severe and prolonged mental illness, addiction problems, as well as emotional and behavioral issues.

For more information about Bridges’ programs and services, visit bridgesct.org.