TEES Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is encouraging the public to get on their bike on Cycle to Work Day.

Today – August 15 – marks Cycle to Work Day which aims to get people to try cycling as a sustainable means to get to work and back.

In the past two years £3.8m has been invested in transport measures in the Tees Valley aimed at making improvements for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Mr Houchen said there had been a commitment to improve routes across the area and make them safer, smoother and quicker than ever, and he was encouraging as many people as possible to get involved in using them.

Recently a study published in the Lancet journal found cycling was the second most beneficial exercise for mental health and wellbeing.

As well as Cycle to Work Day, the organisation ‘Let’s Go Tees Valley’ is running its ‘Love to Ride’ cycle challenge throughout the month of September.

Those joining in log their journeys and are awarded points based on the minutes or miles completed, competing against other employees.

Spokeswoman Georgina Burke said: “As the sustainable travel project for the five Tees Valley local authorities – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees – our job is to encourage people to cycle.

“We’d like people who don’t usually cycle to work to try it.

“We are also inviting local employers with an interest in staff wellbeing to take part in our Love to Ride Cycle September challenge.”

For more information about Love to Ride and to sign up for the challenge visit the website www.lovetoride.net/teesvalley.