PEDAL power will be in full swing in St Albans when the district does its bit for National Bike Week, which starts on Friday, June 14.

Across the country, people will be encouraged to take to their saddles rather than use their cars to get about, and around the district the St Albans Cycle Campaign (STACC) will be doing its best to promote it.

The week kicks off with STACC manning a "bike surgery" in St Albans city centre, so that health checks can be carried out. It is estimated that just six million of the 20 million bikes in the country are used regularly, so the stall that will be outside Barclays Bank in St Peter's Street will help to ensure those which are used are in safe, working order.

To get people on the move STACC is also organising a five-mile family bike ride on Thursday, June 20, starting at the Earthworks site in Hixberry Lane at 6.30pm, followed by a barbecue at the site.

The route will follow the Alban Way and be mainly traffic-free, but marshals will be on hand to guide riders.

It is hoped that the ride will help the public realise the benefits both physically, financially and environmentally of cycling.

STACC estimates that using a bike rather than a car is actually quicker, particularly for shorter journeys.

There are also the obvious health benefits of regular exercise.

STACC said: "National Bike Week provides the ideal opportunity to try cycling to work. Most people who make the initial effort are surprised to find what an agreeable way it is to save money, get fit and do their bit for the environment."

More information about Bike Week is available from Doug Nevell on 01582 762120 or on the website at <www.stacc.org.uk>.

June 11, 2002 10:00