Snohomish County’s Bike to Work Day on May 15 is the kickoff for the Snohomish County Bike Commute Challenge presented by Group Health May 11 – June 12.

Bike to Work Day features Celebration Stations where riders can make a pit stop on the way to their destination and snag Bike to Work safety blinkers, snacks, free bike safety checks and local bike maps. Along with Marysville’s Comeford Park, Celebration Stations are located at Everett Station, Boeing Everett and McCollum Park as well as Edmonds and other locations.

The challenge is to continue leaving your car at home at least once a week and get in the healthy commuting habit. Co-workers or friends are encouraged to team up and earn bike socks or win a pizza party or pedal their way to the “biking-est new commuters” prize. Team captains earn a Snohomish County Bike to Work cycling cap and the satisfaction of helping people rediscover the joy of riding a bicycle.

Bike to Work events give first-time bike commuters, die-hard regulars and fair weather cyclists a chance to ride and celebrate together. Event organizers encourage creative commutes that combine biking and buses, biking to your carpool or vanpool instead of driving, or driving part way to work (up the hills) and biking the rest.

In 2008, more than 900 Snohomish County residents biked to local Celebration Stations on Bike to Work Day. Snohomish County Bike to Work events are funded by Community Transit, Everett Transit, Group Health, Snohomish County, Harvy’s Bike Shop and many other community partners.