BATH — The city of Bath is encouraging people to celebrate Bike to Work Day Friday, May 15.

According to information from the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, bicycling not only contributes to overall wellness, but also saves money. The cost of operating a car for one year is approximately $8,698, based on a report from newsroom.AAA.com, while the annual cost of operating a bicycle is only $308, according to a report from Forbes.com. In addition, biking 30 minutes on a regular basis has proven to lower individual health care costs by $400-$500 annually.

Additionally, bicycle commuting is reported to burn 540 calories per hour, the average person who commutes to work on a bicycle loses 13 pounds in the first year of bike commuting. Other figures reported are that if American adults drove one mile less per day, it would reduce the adult obesity rate by 2.16 percent over six years, and “active commuting” — biking or walking — reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 13 percent in women and 9 percent in men.

To mark Bike to Work Day, there are a couple of events planned for Friday, May 15. The Bath Area Family YMCA will offer free admission to the Y for non-members who ride their bike to the Y, and the Bath Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee will sponsor a group ride at noon from Water Front Park. The routes and distances of the ride will vary depending on ability, but will be limited to no more than an hour.

For more information, contact Kevin Shute at 443-4112.