SACRAMENTO (April 11) - The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), the Regional Rideshare Partnership, and bicycling advocates today launched the official Sacramento Region Bike Commute Week web site www.bikecommuteweek.com.

A key promotional tool for the weeklong campaign to be held May 16-22, the user-friendly web site informs the public about local bike events and the benefits of using bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation, including cleaner air, reductions in traffic congestion, and improved health.

Key features of the website include:

• The Million Mile Challenge, a push for regional cyclists to collectively log one million miles in the month of May. Users can easily track personal mileage, while riding a bike for errands, recreation, training, or to commute to work or school. Local celebrities including elected officials, business and civic leaders, and media personalities have signed up to participate in the challenge and their individual results can be viewed on the website. Anyone who registers and pledges to ride at least 50 miles in May receives a free t-shirt.
• Pedal Pools provide a way for commuters to link up with neighbors and bike together, providing a healthy, safe, and fun way to commute.
• Bike Friendly Awards allow the community to nominate worthy people and organizations eligible for the following: Cyclist of the Year, Employer of the Year, Cycling Advocate of the Year, and Elected Official of the Year. Awards will be presented at the SACOG Board Meeting on May 19.

The Sacramento Region Bike Commute Week and web site is sponsored in part by Sacramento Region 511, Applebee's, UC Davis Transportation and Parking Services, UC Davis Health Systems, Bicycles Plus, and the Regional Rideshare Partnership.

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments is the transportation planning and funding agency for the six-county Sacramento region. SACOG provides a dynamic forum for regional planning and collaboration in the greater Sacramento region. For further information, contact A.J. Tendick at (916) 340-6215, or visit the SACOG web site, at www.sacog.org.

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