This week is Ride To Work Week and, with the clocks going back on Sunday 25th, that means lighter mornings and evenings for you to enjoy the amazing rewards of cycling.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to join the Lycra lads and lasses, as anything for a classic sit-up-and beg machine to a mountain bike will do the job. What’s more, you’ll be helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Besides, a pleasant pootle on your bike will set you up for the day – helping you to arrive at work energised, warmed-up and ready to go!

During Ride To Work Week, you can also win some fabulous prizes, including European city breaks and a dream holiday in San Francisco, plus vouchers to spend at a local independent business of your choice. All you have to do is register on www.lovetoride.net/southessex, log your rides to work from 12-18 March and you’ll go into a daily draw.

If you’re not used to riding around Southend, you may be unaware that the seafront and Prittle Brook Greenway are the two main off- road routes for cyclists.

Running from Chalkwell beach and Shoebury East beach, the seafront bike path is a great way to reintroduce yourself to cycling and the delights of the seafront cafes. The route is completely segregated from the traffic and about six miles long.

On the other side of town, the Prittle Brook Greenway, which runs from the south entrance of Belfairs Park to Priory Park, is an ideal route for kids and novice cyclists.

If you don’t own a bike, that’s not a problem. You can hire a bright yellow, Bike & Go Boris-style bike on the seafront, by Adventure Island, and from outside Southend Victoria and Southend Central train stations.

In fact, the Comfy Saddle is a bike store located inside Southend Central and sells a fantastic range of classic bicycles and rugged, MTB-style urban bikes. You can also hire a bicycle for however long you like, so with the warmer weather on its way, there’s no excuse to get on your bike!

Alison Dewey (Southend BID manager)