Austin becomes more bike-friendly

Friday is Bike to Work Day. It's a day you're encouraged to ditch the car and hop on your bike. 

Several restaurants around Austin are offering free breakfast to those who decide to bike to work.

The City of Austin is doing more to make Austin a bike-friendly city .  

"There's just no way our city is going to grow the way we want it to if everybody brings a car," said Craig Staley, general manager of Mellow Johnny's.

Mellow Johnny's is the newest bike shop owned by Lance Armstrong at the corner of Fourth Street and Nueces. In addition to selling bikes, it also caters to those who commute on their bike.

"Our idea with the store is to use it as a test-pilot program on community, and we're figuring out a loaner program," said Staley.

You can also store your bicycle for free during the day. Plus, there are showers so you go to work smelling like you just stepped out of your car. 

"If this takes off, we'll want this in several parts of the city so people can use it, then walk to where they're going," said Staley.

In order to get more people to bike to work, the City of Austin has plans to put in 300 linear miles of bike routes on city streets. 

"As they go through routine maintenance, we look at opportunities to narrow lanes a bit or sometimes remove lanes to add bicycle lanes," said Annick Beaudet with the City of Austin's Bicycle Program. 

Later this year, Barton Springs Road will have an extended bike path through Zilker Park. Even with new bikeways, however, the biggest challenge is getting people to ditch the car to ride their bike.

"Once people find the means to get out here and do it, they will realize it really is easy," said Beaudet.

Not to mention a great workout.