Traffic weary commuters have the chance to trade their gas pedal for bike pedals on Friday, when the Seacoast plays host to the state's third-annual Bike/ Walk to Work Day.

With gas prices and obesity problems increasing, riding a bike "makes a lot more sense in a lot of ways," according to Josh Pierce, a coordinator for Bike/ Walk to Work Day. Nationally, 50 percent of workers commute five miles or less to the job each day, Pierce said, an easily bike-able distance that would save money, increase fitness and reduce pollution.

"We're trying to expand the consciousness of people in terms of riding a bike or walking to work," he said.

New Hampshire's Bike/Walk to Work Day is organized in part by Seacoast Area Bike Routes in coordination with national Bike to Work Day. In New Hampshire, the official event was limited to Concord and the Seacoast during the last two years; however, this year, SABR is working with the Granite State Bicycling Alliance, the state Department of Transportation Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board and the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation to expand the event's reach.

Cameron Wake, a member of SABR, said the big push was prompted by the absence of a "strong, statewide voice for cyclists."

"We felt expanding Bike to Work Day to the entire state was a great organizing tool to raise people's awareness," he said.

Biking and walking helps relieve traffic congestion and improves air quality, according to Scott Bogle, a transportation planner with the Rockingham Planning Commission. But there's more.

"I ride my bike to work mainly because it's just a lot of fun," he said. "Any time I can be on my bike rather than in my car, I'll take it."

Wake estimated that about 1-2 percent of Seacoast commuters bike to work on a regular basis. He said that number is low compared to the rest of the country. For example, in Davis, Calif., 25 percent of people taking a trip less than five miles ride bikes, Wake said. There are a number of factors why the number of riders is so low in New Hampshire, he said.

"Primarily among them are our roadways are not designed for safe bicycle riding," he said. "We do not promote biking as a form of transportation, we don't build our schools and businesses so there's easy access for bikes, and we don't encourage our kids to ride."

Bogle expects around 400 people to participate this year. Fourteen communities are also taking part. In Portsmouth, the day kicks off with a commuter breakfast in Market Square and at the Redhook Brewery at Pease International Tradeport. Seacoast riders can also enjoy commuter breakfasts at Henry Law Park in downtown Dover; the Dimond Library at the University of New Hampshire in Durham; the Exeter Bandstand in Exeter; and the Timberland Campus at the Stratham Industrial Park. At the breakfasts, riders and pedestrians can register for a raffle for the chance to win a Fuji Absolute bike, a White Mountains bicycle tour and other prizes.

Governor John Lynch has also declared May 20 "Bike and Walk to Work Day." Pierce said he's trying to convince the governor to ride a bike to work that day.

For more information or to find a commuter breakfast in your area, check out www.seacoastbikes.org/biketowork.cfm.

Bike to Work Day

Here's a complete schedule of the day's festivities:

7-9 a.m.-Commuter breakfasts in Market Square in Portsmouth, at Redhook Ale Brewery in Newington, Dimond Library in Durham, Exeter Bandstand and Henry Law Park in Dover. Chow on free grub and sign up to win a bike!

9 a.m.-5 p.m.-Go to work, you slacker.

5:30 p.m.-Bike rally! casual post-work ride meets in Portsmouth's Market Square, costumes encouraged.

7 p.m.-Reception party at the Portsmouth Brewery. More free food and prize drawings.