We know many road.cc readers are regular bike commuters already, so when Cycle to Work Day comes round next Thursday September 12, why not help encourage your friends and co-workers take the plunge?

Backed by cycling organisations such as CTC and British Cycling, as well as bike industry bodies, and organised by Cyclescheme, Cycle to Work Day aims to get a million people to ride to work on September 12.

Over at the Cycle to Work Day website, you can grab the Champion Toolkit which is packed with ideas for ways you can help friends and co-workers get on their bikes.

Suggestions include leading a ride into the office; organising free bike check ups for anyone who rides in on the 12th in conjunction with your local Cyclescheme dealer; and persuading the boss to stump up for free coffee and croissants for anyone who rides in (though sadly, that’s not tax-exempt any more.

If your colleagues are nervous about riding in traffic (and with the publicity that surrounds every cycling death you couldn’t really blame them) why not see if your local council provides free adult cycle training. The confidence boost and traffic skills they’ll get will be invaluable while we all wait for Dutch-style infrastructure in the UK.

Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey is the face of Cycle To Work Day, and a champion of everyday cycling as well as an elite competitor.

Dame Sarah said: “If we start by encouraging people to cycle to work, then they'll feel healthier, will save money and be more inclined to ride their bikes for other journeys and leisure time too.

“Cycling is one of the best modes of transport for local journeys and Cyclescheme provides the means for people to obtain a bike in order to make those journeys to work. We hope to inspire even more people to challenge themselves, dust off the bike and cycle to work on the 12th September."