Say goodbye to traffic jams and road rage on your daily commute by going to work by bike.

That's just one of the many benefits of riding to work, says Sport BOP recreation adviser Jen Riley, who knows just how easy it is to get your daily exercise commuting.

'It's also a lot faster than most think,” says Jen, who is urging people to discover just how easy it is to commute by cycle next Wednesday on Go by Bike Day.

'It's a great way to be active without having to go out after you get home from work, it's fun, save you money on petrol and parking and of course it's good for the environment,: says Jen, speaking from years of experience.

Everyone taking part in Go by Bike Day has a chance to win spot prizes by stopping at one of the refreshment pit stops around Tauranga from 6.45am and 8.45am, while registered students could win a school bike pack worth more than $250.

Pit stops will be step up at Red Square, Maxwells Rd, opposite Ngati Rd salt marsh, at Omanu Bowling Club carpark, Papamoa Beach Road near Hartford Ave, opposite Tauranga Boys' College on Cameron Rd and on the harbour bridge cycleway.

Other activities next week include mountain bike racing at TECT All Terrain Park, with juniors from 5pm, senior 6.30pm. For details call John 027 424 3864.

There's basic maintenance workshops on Tuesday from 6pm at Avanti Plus in Mount Maunganui and morning road trip of 35-50km, leaving RideBikes Tauranga, 394B Cameron Rd, at 6.10am. For details call Victor 027 225 1310.

On Wednesday, Tauranga City Council's road corridor advisor Bruce Galloway will take a 7km guided urban trail ride linking reserves in the Welcome Bay area (leaves Waipuna Park at 5.45pm).

On Thursday, you can explore Tuapiro area around Kauri Point (leaves Rustic Pumpkin Café 9am, details Jen 578 0016 ext 829), while the cycle obsessed ladies mountain bike group will go for a ride at Summerhill park (from 5,45pm, details Tracy 021 244 4372) and the Tauranga Road Cycling Club will have night racing in Paengaroa at 6pm (details Talbot 021 244 4372).

http://www.sportbop.co.nz/februarybikemonth