HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ The city of Hartford and the Bike Walk Connecticut organization are encouraging commuters to ride their bikes to work.

Pedro Segarra, mayor of Connecticut’s capital city, will be on hand for a breakfast social on Friday morning at the Old State House.

The breakfast kicks off a series of events aimed at encouraging people to ride bicycles in Hartford.

A panel discussion called the Hartford Bicycle Symposium is planned for Aug. 23 at the Hartford Public Library. The East Coast Greenway ride into Hartford is planned for Aug. 25. Also, the 2012 Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour is planned for Sept. 29.

Connecticut Transit buses are equipped with bike racks so people with longer commuters can ride their bicycles to local bus stops and then take the bus into the city.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)