The 6th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge is scheduled to run from May 23 to June 3. This is Tahoe’s effort to participate in Bike to Work Month – a national public awareness campaign.

It is a two wee promotion challenging everyone in the Lake Tahoe Basin to ride their bicycle instead of using an automobile while traveling to work, school, recreational sites or running daily errands.

Individuals and groups of friends or co-workers can organize together to build a team and participate.

In 2009, 700 individuals, 87 company teams and six schools registered online to track their daily trips and miles for a total of 23,000 miles. To participate, as an individual or team, go online to register.

Each day, participants can input their number of riding trips and miles for the day and the online system keeps a running tally of all individuals and teams progress. Also on a daily basis are random drawings for valuable prizes that include, but are not limited to, lift tickets to Kirkwood and Northstar Bike Parks, bicycle lights, and more.

The Tahoe Bike Challenge is collaboration between the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC) and others in their effort to bring attention to the need for reducing dependence on the automobile for bio-region health and sustainability.

In addition to the Bike Challenge is a new fund-raising program called Bucks 4 Bikes. It is a program designed to raise dollars for the purchasing of bicycles and helmets for Tahoe’s youth who would otherwise not have the opportunity for independent mobility, a fitness activity, positive socialization with family and friends, and a deepening appreciation for the outdoors.