SWITCH four wheels for two on Thursday (September 4) and celebrate National Cycle to Work Day.

The day is championed by Paralympic gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey and aims to get commuters across the UK to cycle half a million miles.

In Southend the council’s cycling team, Ideas in Motion, are urging participants to pledge their miles on the website www.cycletoworkday.org In preparation for the day Cycles UK, in Prince Avenue, are offering free bike health checks.

If you don’t have a bike you can always hire one for the day from The Comfy Saddle, at Central Station, where you can also get a routine bike check free of charge, or the Bike & Go scheme at Southend Victoria.

Martin Terry, Southend councillor for public protection, waste and transport, said: “Cycling to work is good for your health, your wallet and the environment. “Not only that, but it also helps to relieve traffic on our busy roads, particularly at peak times, meaning everyone gets where they need to be quicker.

“That’s why we want as many people as possible in the Borough to get their bikes on September 4 and share their stories and pictures with the Ideas in Motion Team.”

Share your cycling stories and selfies via social media using #cycletoworkday