Get Healthy: Check out the numerous ways to celebrate Bike Month

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Carson City Health and Human Services has been putting a lot of effort into bikes, from last month’s Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business Award to the Bike Month proclamation at last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The Health Department — working with other city departments and nonprofit partner Muscle Powered — is on a roll, and with three weeks remaining in Bike Month 2014, they are showing no signs of slowing down.

This week marks Ride for Reading Week in Carson City. During this fun event, volunteers on bicycles deliver books to kids at a different school each day. Ride for Reading kicked off Monday at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School. Additional deliveries will take place today and Friday at Fremont, Mark Twain and Empire, respectively. Those interested in delivering books to the schools via bicycle should send an email to cbloomer@carson.org for more information or to sign up.

This month is full of fun bicycle activities for all ages and ability levels. Check out the list below for more fun events you can participate in, and visit MusclePowered.org for a full list of Bike Month happenings.

Bike Month Events

Today: Ride for Reading delivery to Mark Twain School. Meet at the Health Department at 1:15 p.m. All riders are required to wear a helmet.

Friday: Ride for Reading delivery to Empire School. Meet at the Health Department at 12:45 p.m. All riders are required to wear a helmet.

Sunday: Mother’s Day. Take Mom for a bike ride!

Monday through May 16: Bike to Work Week. Get out of your car and commute to work on your bike. Public agencies and private businesses can register with MusclePowered.org and compete for prizes for most miles, average miles per participant and number of trips. The week caps off with Bike to Work Day. Show your bike helmet to participating coffee shops for free coffee on your way to work Friday.

Carson City Health and Human Services is proud to be part of a diverse group working to improve bicycling and walking safety in Carson City. Bike Month is an opportunity to educate both cyclists and pedestrians about the rules and responsibilities of the road. Please join us in celebrating Bike Month, and do something great for your health — go for a ride! Share your Bike Month experiences across social media with the hash tag #bikeccnv.

For more information about other Health Department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us at www.facebook.com/cchhs.