Next week marks "Commute to Work Another Way" Week, and Friday is National Bike to Work Day.

Do you already take a non-traditional means of transportation to work or school? Will you bike to the office Friday? We want to hear from you. Drop us a line at mmalloy@centralmaine.com or 623-3811 Ext. 431

Ditch the car today; the weather is too beautiful to drive!

No traffic accidents have been reported for the evening commute tonight by local law-enforcement agencies.

We're looking for cyclists who love to trek to work or school on their 10-speed, but dread the prospect of being hit by an irresponsible motorist. Send us your stories to mmalloy@centralmaine.com or call 623-3811 Ext. 431

I know I spend most of my time talking about all of us four-wheeled types. But we can’t forget the two-wheeling commuters that we share the road with on our way in and out of the city.

Motorcyclists and bicyclists require extra attention from drivers. Today we’ll talk about bicyclists.They make no noise, use no gas and are about as eco-friendly as mechanized transportation gets.

Sounds pretty benign, but I’ll tell you – it takes nerves of steel to ride a bike from Manchester to Augusta. I don’t care if you take if you take Route 202 or Granite Hill Road. Either way, it’s risky.

In addition to riding on shoulders that are unpredictable, a biker must contend with traffic that is frequently anything but supportive. A lot of motorists don’t believe bikers have a right to be on the roads – and they’re just plain wrong. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles.

A lot of great information about sharing the roads with bicyclists can be found at www.bikemaine.org. Here are three major tips:

--Give give bicyclists extra trailing and passing room, just as you would other motorists.

--Allow at least three feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist just as you would with a slow-moving vehicle.

--Do not pass bicyclists if you will be making a right turn immediately afterward. Always assume bicyclists are traveling through unless they signal otherwise.

Tips, problem traffic areas and questions can be e-mailed to A. J. Higgins at ”mailto:ajhiggins@centralmaine.com”>aj@kj