Ever wanted to save two whole days a year travelling to and from work? Well, the answer is simple. In the words of Freddie Mercury, “Get on your bikes and ride!”

Last year, people in the South West of England spent on average 46 minutes per day driving to work, compared with the 32 minutes per day of those who cycled to work.

This week is National Bike Week, the UK’s largest mass participation cycling event – which is aimed at making people aware of the benefits (to themselves as well as the environment) of riding a bike.

Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England says: “We’re blessed with long summer days in the UK, but we spend too much time travelling to and from work – in fact, we have the longest journeys in Europe.

“During rush-hour, a bicycle is faster than a car so by getting on our bikes, we could cut our commutes and get the equivalent of an extra two days off a year to spend with family and friends and simply enjoy ourselves.”

National Bike Week provides an annual opportunity to promote cycling across the country as a source of fitness and fun, not to mention an alternative and greener form of transport.

According to research, the majority of people (69%) in the UK commute to work by car and spend almost a total of nine days a year (50 minutes a day) on the road compared to cyclists, who only spend seven days (38 minutes a day).

Bike Week aims to highlight these statistics and encourage everyone to boost their confidence on the road and make the shift from four wheels to two.

Cycling can also help improve your physical condition and life expectancy as well as your bank balance.

Jacqueline Culleton from Bike Week says: “Cyclists live on average at least two years longer than non-cyclists and their fitness levels are equivalent to being ten years younger.

“If you’re in a hurry during rush-hour, a bicycle is twice as fast as a car – good if you hate traffic jams and even better if you want to save money, as you won’t spend a penny on parking,” she added.

Charlie Gough, 24, of Charminster, is a cycling enthusiast who has been cycling since the age of six.

He says: “I think Bike Week is a great idea as it gives everyone the opportunity to get on a bike and take part in a ride – if they like it then hopefully they’ll start cycling more often.

“The more people that are cycling the better it is for the environment, as hopefully it would mean they’d be driving their cars less.”

Next month, as well as covering a gruelling 250 miles in one week when he tackles two coast to coast rides, Charlie is also taking part in the 21st Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride along with Daily Echo editor-in-chief, Neal Butterworth.

If you want to get involved with Bike Week locally then you can bring your bike to work with you this Thursday and join Bournemouth University Bike User Group members for an after-work ride.

Meet at the Sandbanks Ferry (Poole side) at 6pm and cycle to Swanage where the first 25 to register can enjoy free fish and chips before cycling back again.

To find out what else is taking place in your local area during Bike Week, visit bikeweek.org. uk and enter your postcode.

If you’d like to take part but don’t have a bike, this shouldn’t stop you – you can find your nearest bike rental outlet on the website and your nearest cycle trainer at bikeability.org.uk or call 0800 849 1017.