Many Washington and/or Beaufort County residents enjoyed the recent visit by more than 1,100 cyclists who came to Washington for the Cycle North Carolina Spring Ride. The visitors camped on the waterfront and took to the streets to appreciate all we have to offer.

While motorists know to share the road with cyclists during these special events, the sad fact is that many communities do not have safe biking options for those who choose pedal power as their primary means of transportation.

With the support of the League of American Bicyclists, the Sierra Club and the National Council of La Raza, May is National Bike Month — a time for people to rediscover two-wheeled paradise while fighting pollution and high gas prices.

It’s also a time for communities to revisit the commitment to safe biking for everyone.

Established in 1973, the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation at the North Carolina Department of Transportation is working to “integrate bicycle and pedestrian safety, mobility and accessibility into the overall transportation program through engineering, planning, education and training.”

Next week (May 14-18) is National Bike to Work Week, capped off with Bike to Work Day on May 18. May is a good time to bask in the benefits of biking — saving you time and money while improving your health and the environment.

Take part in National Bike Month.

For more information on National Bike Month, visit www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth.