The League of American Bicyclists (bikeleague.org) is promoting Bike-to-Work Week from May 11-15 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 15. States, cities and towns around the nation will participate in a variety of programs and events that promote bike use.

Locally, the Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (tahoebike.org) in association with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) are holding their fourth annual Bike to Work Week event promoting the safe and enjoyable use of bicycles for transportation, recreation, public health and as a way to building a sustainable region.

Last year's event attracted hundreds of registered participants who logged their week's miles online at www.tahoebike.org. More than 15,000 bike miles were logged, equating to a reduction of about 14,500 pounds of carbon dioxide that would have been released into the atmosphere, organizers said.

This year's goal is to register 750 riders with a target of 25,000 miles, and a 23,000-poun reduction in carbon dioxide.

Bike to Work Challenge
Part of the event each year is the Bike to Work Challenge, in which individuals and employment-based teams compete to see who can get the most employees riding to work.

Several Tahoe area businesses are also part of the Bicycle Friendly Business Network, pledging their support and commitment to becoming a more bicycle friendly Lake Tahoe, and taking steps to promote bicycling and better accomodate cycling employees and customers.

Whether you're an official participant or not, the snow has melted and the biking season at Tahoe has begun. Get out and ride!

For more information on Bike to Work Week, visit www.tahoebike.org.