Organizers of Bike to Work Week in Winston-Salem hope the week-long event will give cyclists the encouragement and motivation to ride to places they would normally drive.

The city is partnering with a number of organizations and businesses throughout Forsyth County to set up activities, including the YMCA, Cobblestone Farmer’s Market and Wake Forest Baptist Health. Mathew Burczyk , Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for Winston-Salem, said participants will also have an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of cycling.

 “We will be there with information about how you can conveniently and easily transport groceries and other items on a bike; it’s not as tough as sometimes it seems. We will also help people with route selection. That’s kind of a big thing for people who don’t necessarily ride their bikes all of the time. If you are thinking about how you get someplace in your car, very rarely is that the best way to get to your destination on your bike. At all of our events, we’ll help people select a good route to ride their bikes on,” said Burczyk.

On Wednesday, May 16 the public is also encouraged to participate in a 6-mile ride throughout the city as part of a National Ride of Silence. The goal of the event is to raise awareness about cyclist’s safety and to honor people who have been involved in bicycle crashes.

A Bike to Work Week celebration will also be held Friday from 7-9 a.m. in front of the Forsyth County Government Center on North Chestnut Street. The week-long activities will round out with the city’s annual “Cycling Sunday” event, during which downtown streets are blocked off to motor vehicles so families can enjoy biking, skating or walking. Burczyk said the route has been extended to two miles this year and will connect to the Salem Creek Greenway and the Strollway.

“It’s a beautiful setting to have this ride. Old Salem Road is great and there are a number of restaurants within and also outside of Old Salem that will be open that day. If people want to get to the heart of downtown, our route parallels the Strollway. Anything active that is not a motor vehicle -- that is what we want; people out there enjoying the city in a different way,” said Burczyk.

Burczyk said the city is also working on a plan to add more cycling paths, bike lanes, and parking stations in the downtown area. “Cycling Sunday” will be held  May 20 from 3-6 p.m.