National Bike Week, which is taking place until June 24, is the UK's nationwide celebration of cycling'. This year more than 1,500 local bike events and rides are expected to attract at least 250,000 participants, half of whom will be new or returning to cycling.

Everyone knows they should eat five portions of fruit or veg a day to be healthy. Now car drivers are being actively encouraged to also cycle five miles a day to get fit.

"Cycling five miles five times a week provides enough exercise to keep people feeling 10 years younger," claims Bike Week co-ordinator Nick Harvey, "and most adults can easily cycle five miles in 30 minutes. Combining that exercise with a daily journey to and from work is a great way for commuters to make the most of time they would otherwise be wasting."

Bike Week is this year promoting cycling as the everyday sport'. Fifteen hundred local events and rides are being organised around the UK, many suitable for novices and occasional cyclists. Most events are free to enter. Some are to raise funds for good causes including Leukaemia Research, Bike Week's national charity partner.

"Most car commuters drive less than five miles, so our Bike2Work promotion encourages motorists to try cycling to work for one week," explained Nick Harvey. "They discover that rush hour cycling in urban areas is typically faster than driving and more convenient than using public transport. A bike is the cheapest of all vehicles to run, and parking is free."

More than three million bikes are sold annually in the UK. Cycling is growing in popularity, for fast door-to-door commuting in congested urban areas and for recreation, especially on traffic-free routes.

Many short, easy-paced Bike Week rides are aimed at novice or lapsed cyclists, including children and young families. Hundreds of Bike2Work rides have been organised by local authorities and other employers, to encourage car drivers to try cycling to work. Some universities and schools use the opportunity Bike Week provides to encourage more students to cycle.

Most Bike Week events are free to enter. Organisers range from local councils to cycling clubs, National Cycle Network volunteer rangers to cycle campaigners. All Bike Week and Bike2Work events and rides are listed at www. bikeweek.org.uk The first national Bike Week was held in 1923. Last year more than 1,700 events attracted 265,000 cyclists. Many Bike Week events are suitable for people who are new to cycling, or returning perhaps after many years. Some take place on traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network. Others are held off-road where even young children can enjoy cycling safely. Event organisers range from cycling clubs and campaign groups to local authorities and other major employers.

Bike Week includes the Bike2Work promotion that encourages car owners to commute by bike, especially for journeys of up to five miles in urban areas when cycling can be faster than any other mode of transport. Cycling for just half an hour every day can provide enough aerobic exercise to make a real difference to your life!