Valley Metro in Phoenix encourages area residents to park their cars and ride bicycles instead with numerous Valley Bike Month events during April.

“With our favorable weather and extensive network of paths and trails, bicycling is a great travel option in the valley,” said Steve Banta, Valley Metro chief executive officer. “We’d like to see more people exercise their options when it comes to leaving a car behind.”

The agency’s support of bicycling events is part of the local Clean Air Campaign, a general public awareness effort to emphasize the importance of air quality and ways to reduce vehicle trips. Premier events during the month incorporate partnerships with REI, a national outdoor retailer, as well as many cities and towns in Maricopa County.

For example, the Great Bike Chase—April 22 in downtown Phoenix—features self-guided bike rides and a bike expo at Chase Field prior to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ baseball game. For the first time, free valet bike parking is available at all home Diamondbacks games in April at the Urban Commons Summit, adjacent to the ballpark.

Another major event, Bike to Work & School Day, will be held April 18 at locations in Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix/Maricopa County, cottsdale, and Tempe. Activities will include contests, prize drawings, food, and T-shirts.

A complete listing of Valley Bike Month events is on the Valley Metro website.

The Clean Air Campaign is sponsored by the Arizona Departments of Environmental Quality and Transportation, Maricopa Association of Governments, Maricopa Air Quality Department, and Valley Metro RPTA.