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Commuters hit trails for Bike to Work Day

12:46 PM PDT on Friday, May 16, 2008

By JANE MCCARTHY / KING 5 News

Video: Commuters hit trails for Bike to Work Day
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SEATTLE - With temperatures forecast in the 80s today, it's a great day for a bike ride. Thousands of people are traveling to work on two wheels instead of four on this national Bike to Work Day.

More than 40 stations have been set up throughout King, Snohomish and Kitsap counties; most opened at 6 a.m., but one station in Everett opened at 4:30 a.m., offering free water bottles, maps, snacks and commuting information. You can even have your bikes checked.

On an average day, you can find a lot of bicyclists streaming down many Seattle area streets.

"I feel like it's better for the environment, using my legs instead of gas," said Emily Marshall, bicyclist.

"We can really cut down on our car trips by using the wonderful invention, the bicycle," said Chris Cameron, commuting specialist with the Cascade Bicycle Club, the largest bicycle club in the nation.

Organizers expect more participants this year than ever before.

In 2005, Cameron says roughly 12,500 Seattleites participated in Bike to Work Day. In 2006, the number jumped to 17,500 and last year it climbed to 19,000. Today, they're hoping at least 20,000 people will participate.

"We know we're not going to be getting everyone in Seattle bike commuting, but as we've seen over the years we're getting more and more and that means less and less cars on the road," said Cameron.

If you are interested in biking to work, but are intimidated, Cascade Bicycle Club has free classes to teach people how to bike commute.