LEWISTON — The Twin Cities will be part of the 59th annual National Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 15, local cyclist Bruce Hall said.

From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. there will be welcome stations at Lewiston’s Dufresne Plaza on Lisbon Street and at Bates College on Central Avenue by the Garcelon football field.

Bob Rand of Lewiston started the local event because he bikes to work on Lisbon Street every day, and he wanted to encourage others to try it, at least for one day, according to a news release from Hall. Rand serves on the board of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the Lewiston-Auburn Bicycle Pedestrian Committee.

The local Bike to Work Day is sponsored by Bates College, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Rainbow Bicycle on Lisbon Street and Busytown Bikes on Sabattus Street.

Organizers invite people to stop at the welcome stations and learn about biking, even if they’re not riding that day.

The City Councils of Auburn and Lewiston have recognized Friday, May 15, as Bike to Work Day.

Craig Saddlemire, chairman of the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee, said Bike to Work Day is welcome as a continuation of both cities’ commitment to walking and biking.

The national event was first organized by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 as part of National Bike Month, which also includes Bike to School Day.