A Talus resident, Charles Liu has enjoyed his short work commute to Costco for some time, but it never occurred to him until this May that it was short enough for a bike ride.

When his company encouraged him to try his man-powered wheels, he discovered that the habit wasn’t just better for his waistline, but it got him door to door in just about the same amount of time.

He celebrated the national Ride Your Bike to Work day with about 150 other people in Issaquah May 18. The city passed out water, granola bars and other support to those willing to give the mode of transportation a try.

It also threw a barbecue to celebrate those who did.

Liu has enjoyed the switch so much, he’s hoping to do it through the summer. Being on the top of Talus, it’s an easy ride down, so little excuses. On the way home though, it’s a good workout, he said. “You force yourself to exercise.”

The city takes an interest in the day, because bikes can help reduce congestion and pollution in the city, said Micah Bonkowski, from the Office of Sustainability.

Studies have shown too that the more people who ride their bikes, the less dangerous it becomes. Drivers become more aware of how to interact with bicyclists, he said.

The day’s events gets people to try it out, said Brad Liljequist, a city project manager known for his work in sustainability, “and that’s half the battle.”

He too suited up in bike shorts for the day’s commute.

Tom Lambert pulled up to the barbecue in a dirty white Schwinn. For two years he’s been riding his bike to town to help him wake up before work. It took him much longer to decide to start doing it.

“I was always jealous of the people out riding in the morning,” he said. “I’ve always loved being on bicycles.”