Fresno State will participate in California Bike Commute Week, May 17-21, by observing “Bike to Work/School Day” on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Free Speech Area.

Faculty, staff and students will bike to the Free Speech Area (in front of Round Table Pizza near the Memorial Fountain) during that time. They were invited by the university’s Commuter Services Office in the Parking and Transportation Department to commute by bicycle. Refreshments and free t-shirts will be available to the participants.

California Bike Commute Week, the largest event of its kind in the country, is a statewide celebration of bicycling designed to bring attention to bicycle commuting, said Annette Harvey, employee transportation coordinator at Fresno State.

Commuter Services is promoting the activity as part of its Red Bike Program that is designed to help students save on parking and gasoline expenses while helping reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, Harvey said.

The program offers new or reconditioned bikes, plus a sturdy lock and a safety helmet for a $5 rental fee for the semester and a $50 deposit for new bikes or a $15 deposit for a used bike. Students can use the bicycles on-campus or in the community and upkeep and repair of the bike is provided by the program. When the bike and lock are returned at the end of the semester, the deposit is refunded,

The program currently has 360 students and 60 employees participating, Harvey said.

For additional Bike Commute Week activities in the Fresno area, call the Fresno County Bicycle Coalition at (559) 444-2065 or email fresnocobikeaol.com.

For information about Fresno State’s Bike-to-Work Program, contact Harvey at 278-2277.

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