Cyclists and pedestrians commuting to work in downtown Saskatoon were treated to free hot chocolate and banana bread Friday morning.

Crystal Parton and her friends erected the pop-up stand to celebrate international Winter Bike to Work Day.

"It's pretty fun," Parton said as curious drivers stared from their passing vehicles.

Crystal Parton (left) and friends served banana bread and hot chocolate to passing pedestrians and cyclists Friday morning on 4th Avenue in Saskatoon on international Winter Bike to Work Day. (Jason Warick/CBC)

Parton said it's great to see growing numbers of cyclists commuting to work, even in the winter.

"People are realizing it's easier than they thought it was. It's a good way to get to work or go out at night. We have bike lanes now, so we're really becoming a big city," she said.

Cyclist Joe McDonald, who bikes to work every day, agreed. Some parts of the city are difficult to cycle through in winter because of the absence of trails or adequate shoulders. But there are many parts of the city that are becoming bicycle-friendly, he said.

Joe McDonald stopped at a pop-up hot chocolate station Friday morning on 4th Avenue in Saskatoon to celebrate international Winter Bike to Work Day. (Jason Warick)

"Hopefully, more events like this will raise awareness," he said.

"You can get some exercise, take another car off the road and have a good time."

Dean Highway was walking from the Broadway area to meet a family member at the Frances Morrison Library downtown. He smiled as they handed him some dessert and a cup of hot chocolate.

"It's actually pretty cool. I've never seen anybody do this before," he said.

Cyclists can sign up online and say they've biked to work as part of a competition. Countries, cities, workplaces and universities are ranked according to levels of participation.