Courtesy The Walk and Roll Fest is back for its 12th year, encouraging San Antonians !to help themselves and the environment.

Gas is expensive, and you’re probably tired of paying for it. That bicycle or pair of athletic shoes you bought when New Year’s rolled around amid promises of better health was probably expensive too, but wouldn’t you rather go that route?

The people at the Metropolitan Planning Organization have just the day for you.

Friday, May 2 marks the 12th year of the Walk and Roll Fest, a program designed not only to encourage people to reduce air pollution by making use of more environmentally friendly means of transportation but also to help whip the people of San Antonio into better shape.

“Our main goal is to make bicycling and pedestrian mobility mainstream San Antonio thinking,” said Scott Ericksen, public involvement coordinator for the Metropolitan Planning Organization. “We’d like San Antonio to adopt a ‘complete street mobility’ mentality.”

Walkers and downtown employees are invited to meet at one of four locations in order to walk to work as a group: Milam Park, Travis Park, La Vilita or River Park.

Bicyclists are encouraged to ride to work from home but can meet with other cyclists at San Pedro Park, Brooks City Base or Our Lady of the Lake University.

Refreshments and vendors of health-related products will be on hand, along with professionals offering advice and tips.

May is Bike Month. More info can be found at walkandrollsa.com.

Sam Carroll | 210SA contributor