Help the environment and bike to work Friday

Cyclists do their part to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution

National Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 19, and Bike Chattanooga is doing its part to encourage local cyclists to help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

Bike Chattanooga and Allegra Allergy have partnered to offer three events to cyclists throughout Friday.

› 7: 30- 9 a. m. Riders can stop at Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza for a free breakfast, courtesy of Allegra Allergy.

› 11: 15 a. m. Riders meet at the Bike Chattanooga Station, corner of Riverfront Parkway and Chestnut Street, to pedal to Picnic In the Passageways at the Grass Garden Inversion, 730 Cherry St.

Swayyvo will be performing at the event, there will be a robotics demonstration f rom Mozilla Foundation and Chatter Box Cafe food truck will be on-site selling lunch.

› 5: 15 p. m. Bike to Work Day wraps up with a ride to Stringer’s Ridge led by staff from Outdoor Chattanooga, Chattanooga chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association and High Point Climbing and Fitness. Meet at the Spears Avenue trailhead for this after- work adventure. Riders will stop to rehydrate at Tennessee Solar Solutions.

Don’t have a bike? No problem.

Community residents can visit any of Bike Chattanooga’s 37 station kiosks on Friday to take advantage of a complimentary 24-hour Access Pass. Bike share system ambassadors will be placed around the city to assist customers with their ride transaction. A credit or debit card is required to initiate rental, but cards will not be charged for passes.

The complimentary pass includes unlimited station-to-station trips of 60 minutes or less. Trips exceeding 60 minutes will incur overage fees that will be covered by the customer. For more information about Bike Chattanooga and where stations are located, visit BikeChattanooga.com.

Allegra Allergy will add a bike painted with Allegra colors and slogans, dubbed the ‘Allegra Allergy Bike,’ to Bike Chattanooga’s fleet for the month of May. People who spot the bike are encouraged to post a photo of it on Twitter, tagging @AllegraOTC, to receive a free package of Allegra Allergy.

Riders can visit Green TripsCHA.org/biketowork for more details.

STAFF FILE PHOTO Drivers should be on the lookout for cyclists on the road Friday when Bike to Work Day is held.