S.F. Bay Area's Bike to Work Day Is Thursday, May 18th

Organizers Announce Team Bike Challenge Campaign, Seek Nominations for Bike Commuter of the Year

And a great opportunity to screw-up Bay Area traffic, again, due to the reckless and selfish acts of some of the cyclists. - Ed.

OAKLAND, CA - March 29, 2006: Thursday, May 18, marks the San Francisco Bay Area's 12th annual Bike to Work Day, a celebration that promotes bicycling as a healthy, fun, and viable form of transportation. Bike to Work Day organizers aim to honor every kind of bicyclist -- from new or leisure cyclists to bicycle hotshots -- during the month of May, which is National Bike Commute Month. To get more Bay Area residents more involved in bicycling, two activities are getting started now:

The Team Bike Challenge: As a fun twist in 2006, Bike to Work Day organizers are launching the Team Bike Challenge. This contest and campaign encourages bicycle commuters to recruit their colleagues, friends, and neighbors to bike for transportation during May's National Bike Month. Participants in the Challenge form teams consisting of five individuals, identify themselves with a creative team name, register on 511.org, and track each day they make a trip by bicycle. The Team Bike Challenge lasts the entire month of May, so it's a great opportunity to show how bicycling can be done for many different types of trips -- from the work commute to shopping to errands. The team with the most points at the end of the Challenge wins a bike rack to be placed in a public space of choice in their county. Registration for the Team Bike Challenge is now open at 511.org, and novice cyclists receive double points for participating.

Nominations for Bike Commuter of the Year: Do you know someone in your county who is committed to making every day a "Bike to Work Day"? Does this person epitomize the health, environmental, social, and economic benefits of bicycling? Please share his or her story with us! We are seeking nominations for the 2006 Bike Commuter of the Year Awards. One person from each of the nine Bay Area counties will receive an award for Bike Commuter of the Year. Nominations are due by April 16, 2006. Visit 511.org to get your nomination in today!

The Bay Area's Bike to Work Day 2006 promotions are organized by the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), county congestion management agencies, and hundreds of local volunteers. The event is funded by MTC and sponsored by Mike's Bicycle Center. Visit 511.org for more information on Bike to Work Day and other cycling resources, or call 511 and say "bicycling." Hop on your bike and go!