People across the Dudley borough are being encouraged to take part in National Bike Week and play their part in National Clean Air Day.

Bike Week, which runs until Sunday, encourages people to rethink their everyday journeys and switch to cycling as an alternative way to get around. By getting on their bikes and leaving the car at home, cyclists also reduce pollution and make air cleaner for everyone.

Dudley Council’s road safety team is hosting a free drop-in session on the St James’s Road car park behind the council house on Thursday 15 June from 2pm – 5pm. People can drop in, find out about cycle routes and cycle support and training and also have a quick free bike MOT from Dr Bike.

All borough schools have been sent information about bike week and clean air day and pupils are being encouraged to make their trip to school on foot or by bike during the week. Dudley Council’s chief executive, Sarah Norman, will be visiting Oldswinford Primary on 15 June and taking part in a cycle training event, one of many delivered by the council’s road safety team.

The session on 15 June, falls on the same day as the inaugural National Clean Air Day (NCAD) which calls on people to reduce the amount of pollution.

Schools, hospitals, workplaces and communities across the UK will be running events.

Staff at Dudley Council are being encouraged to support the day through pledges such as walking or cycling to work, switching off car engines when stationary, car sharing or working from home to reduce and avoid air pollution. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said:

“Dudley Council always supports National Bike Week with events such as the popular Dr Bike maintenance sessions, and this year it coincides with the UK’s first National Clean Air Day.

“The two campaigns provide people with a fantastic opportunity and impetus to find out what they can do to make themselves, and the air we all breathe healthier. I hope that people across the borough visit the clean air day website and sign up to the pledge to take a small step to improve the environment for everyone.”

People can visit the NCAD website at cleanairday.org.uk for practical advice.