May is national bike month

For many people, spring means baseball and bicycling. And after warming up the cycling legs after the winter, many cyclists celebrate May as National Bike Month. Bike groups around the U.S. use National Bike Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about bicycling, and offer events to encourage people to give bike commuting a try.

The California Bike Commute, a program of the California Bicycle Coalition, celebrates its 13th year. In the Bay Area, Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 17. "Tens of thousands of residents from all corners of the Bay Area will put their car keys aside, grab their helmets, and hop on their bicycles to make their commute to work."

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition anticipates record numbers of participants this year, and will organize "energizer stations" at several locations in the city during morning and evening commute hours. The day concludes with the "Bike Away From Work" party, always a highlight of the cycling social calendar in San Francisco.

In the Sacramento region, Bike Commute Month encourages employers to organize teams in their workplace, make mileage pledges, and earn prizes. During Bike to Work Day in Los Angeles, transit agencies will offer free rides for multimodal bike commuters.

What's happening in your region during Bike to Work Month?

Video: League of American Bicyclists / Beyond Pix Studios
Visit: League of American Bicyclists
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips