Bike to Work Day: Santee Pit Stop

National is Friday. Why not join the thousands of other bicyclists that will be taking to the county's streets?

The day is designed to "support bicycling as a viable, environmentally-friendly commute choice," according to the event website.

There are even prizes! At each of the 75 pit stops in the county riders can pick up free t-shirts, water, and snacks.

Santee's pit stop will be set up in front of the on Mission Gorge Road and Fanita Parkway.

Law enforcement has given these to consider if you're biking Friday, or anytime:

• Give your bike a tuneup on Thursday night. "Make sure it's in good operating order. They don't want to break [down] in and amongst all those cars," McCullough said.
• Dress appropriately. "This isn't a weekend summer jaunt where you're wearing shorts and a casual shirt. You're going to be dealing with commuter traffic," McCullough said. Cyclists should wear bright clothing, especially jackets with reflectors, and helmets, "something the motorist is going to at least see," he said.
• Stop at stop signs.
• Stay to the right and change lanes with caution. It's OK for cyclists to move over to left lanes when they will be turning, but until then they need to remain on the right side of the roadway, McCullough said. It's also important for bike riders to make sure they have the right of way to change lanes when moving to the left, he said. Many cyclists forget that they aren't moving at the same speed as the cars around them and immediately change lanes as soon as they gesture to do so, leaving drivers little time to see them, he said.
• Don't ride in the middle of the lane, especially not if roads are wet. Oil buildup in the center of lanes can make them very slippery, McCullough said. Painted lines, such as crosswalks, also can be slippery so cyclists should proceed carefully, he said.
• DRIVERS: Be extra cautious and on the lookout for cyclists making sudden, or unanticipated lane changes and turns, McCullough said. Sometimes, drivers making right turns are surprised by cyclists who come up behind them and turn, too, he said.

The League of American Bicyclists, which sponsors Bike to Work Day, also has lots of safety and commuter information on its website.