(ST. HELENS, OR) - The newly formed City of St Helens' Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission is pleased to draw your attention to a host of important dates: May is National Bike Month, May 12-16 is Bike-to-Work Week and Friday, May 16^th is Bike-to-Work Day!

Along with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, Mayor Randy Peterson and the St Helens' City Council urge you to spend some time on two-wheels this month.  You can Bike-to-Work, set aside a special day for a family fun ride, or challenge yourself by doing all of your in-town chores by bike.  However you decide to celebrate, you will certainly find that cycling is both great exercise and a whole lot of fun.

According to Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists (the organizing force behind National Bike Month), "Biking to work is an efficient and fun way to get the exercise you need, without having to find extra time to work out.  And this year, with gasoline prices as high as they are, biking to work makes more sense than ever."

Following are some safety and other tips that will help you enjoy biking to work more.

§ Have your bike checked over by your local bike shop
§ Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash
§ Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction that you are traveling
§ Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings
§ Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act
§ Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright clothing and signal turns

The City of St Helens' Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission was formed earlier this year, in response to a Resolution passed by the City of St Helens.  Resolution 1446 adopts an action plan for St Helens to become a Bicycle Friendly Community.  The Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission meets in City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on the last Friday of the month.

Any questions may be directed to the Commission's Chair, Paul Barlow, at (503) 366-0901.