Ditch the gym and get your exercise travelling to and from work with the Cycle Fridays London events, which run from Friday 14th August - Friday 2nd October 2009. Encouraging Londoners to take up cycling to work on Fridays instead of their normal means of commuting, the Cycle Friday campaign aims to help novice cyclists become more confident on the roads.

Get on your bike
It's thought that around a third of Londoners own a bike, but the thought of cycling into work instead of sticking to the tried and testing public transport option can be a little unnerving. The Cycle Fridays London events aim to ease you into the routine of pedalling about the city more with the help of members of the London Cycling Campaign charity. There's no fee for taking part in the rides; all you need to bring is your bike.

Get pedalling
Jointly organised by the Mayor of London's office and Transport for London, the Cycle Fridays London events feature six routes that depart from different locations across the city at 8am every Friday morning. Cyclists taking advantage of the scheme will be met at the starting off point by ride marshals from the London Cycling Campaign, who will perform a basic bike check and distribute cycle maps before leading the group on the bike ride.

Cycle routes
All of the six Cycle Friday routes leave from their starting point at 8am. Extra drop off points can also be agreed so that cyclists can get as close as possible to their destination. If you want to take part in the Cycle Fridays London events, then take a look at the following routes:

Start: Brixton
End: Russell Square
Meeting point: Corner of Brixton Road and Coldharbour Lane (outside KFC)

Start: Finsbury Park
End: City (St Pauls)
Meeting point: Finsbury Park Gate, Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters Road

Start: Mile End
End: City (St Pauls)
Meeting point: Under the Green Bridge, Mile End Road

Start: Ravenscourt Park
End: Trafalgar Square
Meeting point: Outside Ravenscourt Tube, Ravenscourt Place

Start: Swiss Cottage
End: Holborn, continuing to the City
Meeting point: Outside Theatre, Eton Avenue at the junction with Swiss Cottage Gyratory

Start: Greenwich
End: City (St Pauls)
Meeting point: Cutty Sark Gardens, King William Walk

London loves cycling
If you can't get enough of riding your bike around London, then you're in good company; cycling is becoming an increasingly popular pastime and means of transport. Click on the links below for more information on other bicycle themed events. The Cycle Fridays London events take place every Friday from Friday 14th August - Friday 2nd October 2009. The rides depart at 8pm. Admission is free.