Burbank’s Bike and Walk to Work Day encourages a different kind of commute

For her commute to work on Thursday, Marissa Messier put on her helmet and traded four wheels for two.

After her first time riding her bike to work that morning for Bike and Walk to Work Day, she said she plans to make it a weekly habit.

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Messier was one of the roughly 100 commuters who stopped by the Burbank Studios Thursday morning, where the Burbank Transportation Management Organization was giving out snacks and knick-knacks in an effort to encourage commuters to get out of their cars.

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Walt Disney Studios employee and volunteer Cassi Basile, left, takes a photo of Warner Bros. employee Lindsey Cohen as she arrives at the Burbank Studios for the annual Bike and Walk to Work day, on Thursday, May 19, 2016. The event was sponsored by the Burbank Transportation Management Organization.  (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Warner Bros. electrician Floyd Henke heads off to work after checking in at the Burbank Studios for the annual Bike and Walk to Work day, on Thursday, May 19, 2016. The event was sponsored by the Burbank Transportation Management Organization.  (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Warner Bros. employee Charlene Hamblin was spotted dancing her way to work as she arrived at the Burbank Studios for the annual Bike and Walk to Work day, on Thursday, May 19, 2016. The event was sponsored by the Burbank Transportation Management Organization.  (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Velofix general manager and operator Josh McKee tunes up Enrique Del Rio’s gears-shifting cables at the annual Bike and Walk to Work day, on Thursday, May 19, 2016. The event was sponsored by the Burbank Trtnsportation Management Organization.  (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Cameron Potts, who works nearby, looks over bicycles for sale at the Burbank Studios for the annual Bike and Walk to Work day, on Thursday, May 19, 2016. The event was sponsored by the Burbank Transportation Management Organization.  (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

“It’s to increase awareness of the need to promote clean air, while also promoting mobility to reduce trips of cars on the road,” said Kyle Maetani, executive director of the organization.

Along with first-time bicycle commuters, the event also attracted those who regularly cycle to work.

For David Ponak, riding his bike to work 4 miles each way saves money — and trips to the gym.

“It’s a great way to start and end my day,” Ponak said. “It’s almost like setting a reboot in both directions.”

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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atchek