OAKLAND, Calif. (Map) - OAKLAND, Calif., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Monday, May 12, is the beginning of Bike to Work Week and Thursday, May 15, is the San Francisco Bay Area's 14th annual Bike to Work Day, a celebration that promotes bicycling as a healthy, fun and viable form of transportation. Organizers expect as many as 100,000 bicycle participants on Bike to Work Day, when volunteers at more than 150 Energizer Stations, located along bike commute routes in all nine Bay Area counties on Thursday morning, will provide free beverages, bike-related giveaways, snacks and encouragement to bicyclists.

During the entire month of May, the third annual Team Bike Challenge takes place. Over 200 teams are registered and competing against each other to win the grand prize, a bike rack to be placed in a public location of the winning team's choice. Teams consist of colleagues, friends, neighbors and local "honorary" figures.

"As a participant in past 511 Team Bike Challenges, I have found that using my bike can get me anywhere I need to go quickly with a lot less stress," says Commissioner Ken Yeager of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. "It's also a great way to get your exercise in before the workday."

In recognition of those who make every day a "bike to work day," a Bike Commuter of the Year has been chosen from each of the nine Bay Area counties to receive an MTC award, acknowledging each one's exemplary commitment to bicycle commuting. Visit the Bicycling page on http://www.511.org for more information about your county's recipient.

Complete information about Bike to Work Day can be found at http://www.511.org.

The San Francisco Bay Area's Bike to Work Day 2008 is sponsored by MTC in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente and with support from the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, county bicycle coalitions, county congestion management agencies and hundreds of local volunteers.

For more information, visit http://www.511.org or call 511 and say "Bicycling."