May 18 is 'Ride Your Bike to Work Day'

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The 56th annual "Ride Your Bike to Work Day" promises to be the largest yet, according to event organizers.

The day is a national focus that aims to get people out of their cars and on bicycles as a way to get healthy, meet other people and reduce traffic congestion.

The event will feature a number of refreshment stops from the north end to the south end of Austin.

The southernmost locations are morning stations, which include:

• BikeALot, 4418 Pack Saddle Pass -- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. -- refreshments
• League of Bicycle Voters, Bethel Assembly of God, 4322 Bannister Lane -- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. -- refreshments

The northernmost locations are afternoon stations for those heading home. They are:

• Bicycle Sport Shop, 9900 W. Parmer Lane -- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- beer, wine and light appetizers
• AJ's Cyclery, 10019 W. Parmer Lane -- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- refreshments

Other stations scattered in between will serve coffee, tacos, bagels and free bottles of water. View the refreshment stops map here.

The event was started by the League of American Bicyclists.

Twelve bicycle riders have died this year in Austin, which has raised awareness about the need to educate both drivers and riders on rules of the road and bicycle safety. The most recent death was that of 55-year-old Verter Ginestra who was hit as he rode on Loop 360 on April 28.

A one-quarter mile stretch of a new bike lane was opened in April , running north and south along Rio Grande Avenue in Downtown Austin, west of the University of Texas campus. It is expected to be extended south to Fourth Street at some point in the future.