Nation gears up for Cycle to Work Day - this Thursday 12 September

This week Cyclescheme, the UK's leading provider of tax-free bikes for work, hopes to see a million people taking to their bikes to cycle to work to celebrate the biggest-ever national 'Cycle to Work Day' on 12 September 2013.

Launched by Cyclescheme and supported by British Cycling, Sustrans, Bicycle Association, Business in the Community and championed by Dame Sarah Storey, Cycle to Work Day aims to highlight the benefits of cycling as a means of transport and encourage more people to cycle, more often.

With potentially hundreds of thousands of new or returning cyclists on the roads this Thursday, Cyclescheme recognises that safety is paramount.

Daniel Gillborn, Cyclescheme Director commented: "Cycle to Work Day aims to highlight the benefits of cycling as an effective way of commuting to work. This will inevitably mean there will be more cyclists on the roads this Thursday.

"To ensure everyone has an enjoyable commute we're asking everyone taking part to ensure their bike has been checked over, that they have planned their route to work and that they have everything they need for their journey. For top tips on road cycling, check out the fantastic resources on the Sustrans website."

To gear up for the day cycle retailers around the country are offering free bike health checks, and people all over the UK are pledging their mileage. In South Wales, Owen Burt is marking Cycle to Work Day by cycling 160 miles from Caernarfon to Swansea to raise money for charity. In Hampshire, Chris Boulton is riding from Highclere to his office in central London - 67 miles each way.

Free breakfasts to mark Cycle to Work Day are on offer to cyclists in various towns around the country. In Crewe at St Pauls, Charity Christian Concern, which promotes everyday cycle use, is offering a free breakfast for those turning up on a bike and in Centenary Square, Bradford free breakfasts for cyclists are on offer courtesy of go:cycling, the W Yorkshire adult training programme. Nonna's Street Food Caffe in Sheffield is offering a free espresso to anyone cycling to the café - staff or customers.

Up and down the country a number of organisations are on board with Cycle to Work Day independently organising activities to support the day. Cheshire constabulary will be running bike safety road shows and in West London Enjoy-Work, Chiswick Park's estate management company, is encouraging its 8,000 tenants to pledge to Cycle to Work on Thursday.

Multiple gold medal winning Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, will be taking part in the day and invites people to pledge to ride by visiting www.cycletoworkday.org. The information gathered from the pledges will help Cyclescheme estimate the success of the day by giving an idea of the number of people who took part and the number of miles they collectively cycled.

For more information on how to get involved and pledge to ride please visit www.cycletoworkday.org.