In terms of my attitude toward cycling to work, I keep coming back to something Bike To Work organizer Barb Chamberlain told the Spokesman a while back: “I think people would be scared off if they had to change their whole life all at once. But it’s so doable, once it’s part of your routine.”

We’re all creatures of habit, and it takes a simple event like Bike To Work week to make us realize change is easily within our reach. In addition to the excellent health benefits, especially cardiovascular, we hope readers realize the impact of this alternative commuting method: Biking to work at least four days a week (presumably eight miles, round trip), would save yourself 54 gallons of gas annually and 1,140 pounds of carbon emissions.

But for us, riding a bike is still so much fun. “It’s like being a kid again,” Chamberlain said, “if you remember when having a bike meant freedom."

I'm happy to report t's that ime again. Bike To Work Week is fast approaching but there are some new changes. First, the name: Spokane Bikes. Read on, from Spokane Bikes:

With our name change, Bike to Work Spokane becomes Spokane Bikes, and we’re promoting all of May as Spokane Bike Month.

What does this mean for Bike to Work Week? All our great traditions continue:

Monday, May 16: Kickoff Breakfast with pancakes by Mountain Gear and great Roasthouse Coffee “Ride the Edge” blend

Wednesday, May 18: Energizer Stations around Spokane County hosted by area businesses and organizations

Friday, May 20: The “Bike FROM Work” Wrap-Up Party Friday at the Steam Plant Grill
Two changes:

The old registration system is going away.

Please take about 2 minutes to create your new profile at www.SpokaneBikes.org so you can receive news and updates about Bike to Work Week and other great Spokane-area bike events in May and throughout the year.

Your registration is also important as a way of being counted so policy makers know we’re here and we need infrastructure!

Share the link with your friends who ride bikes for fun but don’t bike commute (yet). We want everyone who rides a bike to sign up.

The Commute Challenge has a new flavor this year.

As you help your friends get rolling on two wheels, encourage them to sign up at the site and to enter your name as the person who helped them.

The person named by the most individuals as their “bike helper” wins the Commute Challenge (and there will probably be some runners-up, too).

Why the change? We recognized that giving awards for miles or days of riding rewards people who are already committed to riding. We appreciate you and don’t want you to stop! But we want to get more people on the road.