The City of Santa Clarita is encouraging local businesses to sign up and participate in its 7th annual Bike to Work Challenge.

The May 20^th event challenges Santa Clarita businesses to get the largest number of employees to bike to work.

“The 2010 Bike to Work Challenge embodies Santa Clarita’s healthy lifestyle and offers the perfect opportunity for residents to enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air on their way to work,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste. “Additionally, the businesses with the highest participation rate in each category will win a gift certificate to the restaurant of their choice and free frozen yogurt from Golden Spoon for all employees who participate.”

The competition will be broken down into three categories: small business, 2-10 full-time employees, medium businesses, 11-100 full-time employees, and large businesses, 100 or more full-time employees.

To help kick off the challenge the California Bicycle Coalition and city will also host a free “How to Bike to Work” seminar, from 12 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, at City Hall, to familiarize local businesses with the event.

Several bicycle pit stops will be stationed across the city for cyclists to enjoy refreshments, get energized, receive giveaways, and information about cycling. The pit stops will be located at City Hall, Bouquet Junction on the corner of Valencia Boulevard and Bouquet Canyon Road, the Trail Access at the corner of Newhall Avenue and 16th Street, and the Trail Access at the corner of Camp Plenty and Soledad Canyon.

All challenge participants are eligible for the city’s raffle for prizes including KHS bicycles, gift certificates, movie tickets, and more.

Cyclists who participate in the Bike to Work Challenge can qualify to win additional prizes by registering at www.metro.net/biketowork.

For more information on Bike to Work Day, contact the city’s Environmental Services Division at (661) 286-4098 or go to www.greensantaclarita.com.