May is National Bike Month! Wayne State University is celebrating by participating in Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 18. Bike to Work Day is a national initiative to encourage cycling as a great alternative to driving and promote safe cycling practices.

Detroit Bike to Work Day is organized by the Detroit Greenways Coalition. Wayne State is participating by hosting a pit-stop on Cass Avenue outside State Hall from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Additional stops include New Center Park at Second and Grand Boulevard and Spirit Plaza on Woodward between Second and Larned. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is scheduled to speak at Spirit Plaza between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Wayne State's pit-stop will feature interactive activities and giveaways. All cyclists will receive free snacks, as well as Drifter Coffee. Sign-in upon arrival and you'll be entered to win raffle prizes including: gift certificates to Fresh 101 and RUNdetroit; annual MoGo passes; a free Barouduer registration; and a Carhartt x Detroit Bikes bicycle. Pre-registered riders will also receive a commemorative Bike to Work Day embroidered patch.

Cyclists can find "Commuter Convoys" at the Detroit Bike to Work Day website. These are volunteer-led group rides from communities across metro-Detroit, including Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Lafayette Park, Hamtramck and Plymouth. Convoys will converge at Spirit Plaza, where Wheelhouse Detroit will provide complimentary bike parking. Detroit Greenways Coalition is encouraging cyclists to stop Downtown to show support for improved biking conditions across the city.

May is also Detroit Commuter Challenge month. The Challenge encourages single-passenger drivers to try a more sustainable and healthy mode of travel to work. The Challenge is just one more way for Wayne State to incentivize the campus community to engage in earth-friendly initiatives. The Challenge runs from May 1 to May 31. Detroit Bike to Work Day participants are encouraged to log their commute at commuterconnectmi.com.

Head to the Detroit Bike to Work Day website for more information and to register.