EACH year the Motorcycle Industry Association celebrates the benefits of motorcycling by organising a Ride to Work Day.
It's a way of getting the message across that motorcycles are the best form of private powered transport for the daily commute.
Anyone who rides a motorcycle or scooter knows that motorcycling is THE best way to save money, beat the stress and the traffic jams that plague our rush hour roads.
This year the event is held on June 20. The day encourages people to unite to promote motorcycles and scooters by holding events, converting friends or just getting out on their bike.
I've been responsible for getting my brother and many friends off public transport and on two wheels - and everyone of them has said it's transformed their lives.
Not only because travelling is now much cheaper, but it's also opened up a world of opportunity - they have more spare time and freedom, and motorcycling has turned into a hobby that’s allowed them to meet loads of new friends and filled their comparably boring previous lives with fun and adrenaline.
And when I talk about the money saving attributes of motorcycling, that includes the price of the bike.
There are so many zero per cent finance deals currently out there and the monthly repayments are far cheaper than monthly travel cards in this part of the world. Then after three years or so you finish paying off the bike, and travel becomes seriously cheap.
There’s also a more serious edge to the day. In the UK there’s an urgent need to get more people onto bikes, especially the younger generation.
The biker population in Britain is aging rapidly, partly because Europe has made it so much harder and expensive to pass your test.
Manufacturers see the need to entice new people into bikes, hence the likes of KTM launching the new 125 which I've just been riding.
The bike has stacks of style and it looks so much bigger than a 125, with brilliant fun performance. It’s enough to get any spotty teenager interested in bikes again.
There are others, such as the Peugeot Sum Up which also fit the bill.
Ride to Work Day is just another way to entice people back into biking, and as such should be supported by us all. Here’s a list of benefits to present to your none-biking friends.
Road tax - extortionate on four wheels, unless your car puts out zero emissions - starts at just £16 a year for smaller motorcycles, parking is generally free and motorbikes and scooters don't pay the London congestion charge.
More flexibility - no more waiting for overcrowded and delayed buses, trains and trams. Just get on and go when you're ready.
Meet more friends - there are 1.3 million motorcycles on UK roads. That number's risen by 75 peer cent since 1995, easily the fastest-growing type of vehicle. What do those 1.3 million riders know that you don't?
Have more fun - how many commuters do you know who get off the bus or train with a big smile plastered across their faces every day?
Avoid congestion - 85 per cent of commuting car drivers are alone in their car. If just a few of them switched to a scooter or motorbike it would mean fewer cars during rush hours and everyone could keep moving.
Burn less fuel – a crucial point when it’s so expensive. Smaller motorbikes and scooters can do more than 100mpg. That means less exhaust fumes for everyone else to breathe in, too.
If you don't already ride to work, then join in with the fun at the end of June and experience how much better your life can be.