Sacramento area transportation, government and air-quality agencies are encouraging people to cycle instead of drive. 

Erik Johnson is with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments which coordinates the annual event.

He says even though gas prices are lower than they were last year, they’re expecting a good rate of participation this month. 

“I think there’s other things people are looking for. The economy’s hurting a lot of people but the bicycle is the original zero emission vehicle. So a lot of people are using bicycling for the environment as well.” 

So far, about 3,100 people have signed up on the “Mayisbikemonth” website…pledging to ride their bikes and log their miles.

Last year, local cyclists logged just over a million miles during the month of May.