14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge June 1-14

It appears Mother Nature will be offering some great biking weather for the hundreds of participants in the 14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge June 1 - 14. The two-week basin-wide event is a team-based challenge to encourage everyone to ride and experience the benefits and joys of cycling.

The event is co-sponsored by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition/

“Pedal power is one of the most enjoyable ways residents and visitors can experience Lake Tahoe,” said Joanne S. Marchetta, executive director of TRPA. “TRPA and its partners are investing in a growing network of bike lanes and shared use paths around the lake. There’s no better way to reduce the number of pollution inducing cars on our roads than to get outside and ride a bike.”

Getting people out of their cars and on a bike improves air and water quality, public health, and roadway congestion at Lake Tahoe. Bike challenge participants have made tens of thousands of bike trips, reducing pollutants and reducing number of vehicle miles traveled.

Bike Challenge activities increase biking and walking by students, residents, and visitors alike, and prizes encourage teams and individuals to report the most trips and miles traveled.

The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition website, www.TahoeBike.org, offers an interactive bike map for people looking for a new route to work, school, shopping areas, or their favorite recreation destination.

“The Bike Coalition looks forward to the first two weeks of June every year,” said Gavin Feiger, president of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition. “The Bike Challenge is a great way to officially kick off biking season and reminds us how great biking is for enjoying Tahoe and beating traffic.”

Create or join a team or sign up to compete individually and report your bike trips and miles online. You can check out available prizes, and our Tahoe Bike Challenge sponsors the new website at www.LovetoRide.net/Tahoe.

Other ways to participate:

Tahoe City cleanup Day June 2 at 8:30 a.m.
South Lake Tahoe Bike Path cleanup June 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Bike to school days June 5, 6, and 7
Bicycle Safety Rodeo, at South Tahoe Middle School Saturday, June 8, with barbecue sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra.

Whether you’re an avid rider or new to the trail, dust your bikes off and enjoy the ride! And behind the wheel of your vehicle, don’t forget to share the road. Be aware of an increased number of bicyclists on the road and make sure to give them some space.

For more information on the Tahoe Bike Challenge or to find out how you can participate, visit www.LovetoRide.net/Tahoe or contact Kira Smith at ksmith@trpa.org or (775) 589-5236.