With just over a month to go until the ribbon is cut for the start of the second British Heart Foundation’s North Wales Bike Ride on Sunday 10 May, it’s time to sign up for a great chance to squeeze into the lycra and burn some rubber for charity.

Registration is open and already keen participants have begun signing up to put their hearts first and raise money for the British Heart Foundation in North Wales.

Hannah Townsend, BHF Wales Events Organiser says, "This is the second time the BHF have brought a mass participation bike ride to North Wales and we hope to have another great local response this year. Now is the time to sign up and join in the fun in May, just visit www.bhf.org.uk/northwales for all the information."

The Sports Council for Wales is once again supporting the event and is urging people to capitalise on the opportunity to join in the battle to fight heart disease and to help transform the population into a fitter, more active nation.

The North Wales Bike Ride is a great activity for all ages and abilities. Participants will enjoy views of the coastline and countryside, with the majority of the route following cycle paths, away from the traffic.

The 15-mile route starts between 09:00am and 10:00am from Rhyl's seafront Arena. Following the coastal path, you will ride to Prestatyn where the route joins the Dyserth Way cycle path and leads to Rhuddlan, before returning to the coastal path and proceeding to the finish line.

This year also sees the introduction of a more demanding 30 mile route which will follow country roads around the beautiful North Wales countryside. Along single track paths, it will take in all that North Wales has to offer.

The bike ride aims to get over 400 people taking part and money raised will help the BHF fight heart disease – Wales’ biggest killer.

A superhuman level of fitness is by no means a pre-requisite for taking part. The ride is set to draw people from all across the region to demonstrate that you don’t have to be a medal winner, or even a seasoned cyclist, to have a fantastic day out on your bike.

Registration is now open for the event online at www.bhf.org.uk/northwales

or by contacting the BHF Events Team on 0800 169 3672.

Registration is just £10 for adults and £5 for 12 to 16 year-olds.

The Sports Council asked Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, why it really is the best time to appreciate how far the humble bicycle has advanced to become one of the most efficient, greenest and cheapest forms of transport today:

Why use an exercise bike that's chained to the floor?

Getting on your bike is one of the easiest ways to keep fit. It's a lot cheaper than gym membership and much more useful.

So why not liberate your bike and burn some calories? Cycling is a great form of aerobics but, unlike the aerobics class, it can actually get you from A to B and do so much more:

· On average, cyclists live two years longer than non-cyclists

· Regular cyclists are as fit as an average person 10 years younger

· Cyclists breathe in less pollution from traffic than car drivers

Arrive fashionably early

Beat the queues with your own pedal power. Cycling is the fastest way to get around town and if you arrive by bike, double yellows or traffic wardens needn't concern you. More often than not, you can park right outside your destination.

Spend your money on you

Unlike a car, a bike does not need road tax, an MOT or breakdown cover and, above all, there aren't any fuel bills. A good bike will only cost around £75 a year on maintenance, and even less if you pick up the spanner or allen key yourself.

Burn calories not carbon

· Cycling is the least polluting way of travelling after walking

· Ten bikes can be parked in the space of one car

· 2kg of carbon are saved for every short journey that is made using a bike instead of a car.