Take to Your Wheels in May to Celebrate the 50th National Bike Month!

May is the 50^th annual National Bike Month, sponsored by The League of American Bicyclists. The month-long nationwide events include Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16.

The League mission is to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. In addition to National Bike Month, the League sponsors programs in Bicycle Friendly Communities, Bicycle Safety and Education, Safe Routes to School and national, state and local bicycle advocacy.

With a new focus on green transportation, bicycling safety, and fitness for 2008, are YOU ready to take to YOUR wheels?!

A sampling of regional National Bike Month events from the League follows here.

If you'd prefer a more casual family or neighborhood celebration, the League recommends decorating a cake or cookies with a bicycle theme, bicycling to school with your child or organizing a neighborhood bicycle parade. Or encourage a local educator or business group to help promote your own creative local bicycling adventure.

In Carol Stream, Illinois, the principal of Spring Trail Elementary school is going to ride with students from the neighborhood to the school in the morning and afternoon for Bike to Work Week.

Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino made the ride from City Hall to Post Office Square this very windy past Monday morning.

Ann Arbor, Michigan residents are invited to join the Bike to Work Day and Rally with Mayor Hieftje on May 16, for a chance to win a free commuter bike donated by a local shop.

Des Moines coffee shops and eateries are promoting Helmet Head Wednesday, every Wednesday in May, offering 50% off specials for anyone who arrives by bike with a helmet.