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Thursday, May 13, is Bike to Work Day, and we encourage workers and employers to forge a bond to make it a success.

All throughout this month, employers can show support for their biking staffers and gain some positive PR by taking part in a team bike challenge. Companies and agencies that help put together a team of workers to get some great exercise, keep cars off the pavement and enjoy the beauty of Napa County in springtime can gain recognition and prizes. The challenge lasts throughout the end of May. Organizers are encouraged to visit the website of the Napa County Bike Coalition, www.napabike.org, or 511.org for more info.

May is Bike Month, and the Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program is pleased to roll out the first-ever free map of Oakland bikeways. With an initial print run numbering over 10,000, we’ll be distributing the map at bike shops throughout Oakland and in grab bags on Bike to Work Day, this Thursday, May 13th. Come see us Thursday morning at Oakland City Hall Plaza, grab a stack of pancakes, and pick up your own copy of the map. Learn more about this year’s Bike to Work Day festivities here and download a pdf version of the map from this page.

San Francisco has been greening up its act quite a bit lately. There are many opportunities to promote a sustainable and greener you. The Green initiative nods at supporting local and organic farmers, eco-friendly choices and healthy, supportive environments. You’d probably get a double nod if you mentioned biking. For some, the idea of hopping on a bike and riding down the streets of San Francisco is fantastic.

Nine Napa County locations have been established as “Energizer Stations” for the Thursday, May 13 “Bike to Work Day.” May 13 is the Bay Area’s 16th annual “Bike to Work Day,” when an estimated 150,000 commuters are expected to ride to work or school. Five of those locations are in Napa, one in American Canyon, one in Yountville and two are Upvalley: the Calistoga City Hall and St. Helena Cyclery, both which will provide refreshments from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for bike commuters.

On Bike To Work Day, cyclists will have the opportunity to ride in a special designated bike lane over the Fruitvale Bridge. At the request of BikeAlameda, the city of Alameda working with the city of Oakland and the county of Alameda will close the far right traffic lane of the Fruitvale Bridge in both directions from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to allow cyclists to use these lanes as bike lanes.