SEEN as anything from an Olympic sport to one of the nation's most popular past times, there's no doubting the popularity of cycling in Britain.

Nearly 2.1 million people across the country now cycle at least once a week, according to British Cycling, the sport's governing body in the UK.

The growing love of the two-wheeler has been picked up in Greater Manchester where there is a push going on to get more bums on bike seats.

It comes with the launch of Transport for Greater Manchester’s #JustRide campaign which will see around £45 million being invested in a wide range of initiatives and projects to increase cycling in the area.

And acting as a chosen 'spokes-man' for the region-wide campaign to highlight the health benefits of jumping on your bike is Horwich dad-of-two Gary Matthews.

The 49-year-old is slowly becoming a well-known face around the region, featuring clad in full cycling gear on the #JustRide advertisements.

He originally started cycling to stay in shape and now regularly commutes by bike from his home to work in Bolton town centre.

"I hadn't ridden a bike for 20-odd years but I found out I was diabetic about two years ago and decided to get riding again for my health," He explained.

"Since then I have lost three stone and my diabetes levels have all gone down.

"My health has really improved, my blood-sugar level is right down, my cholesterol is better than normal! It's all good!

"I try to ride to work as much as possible from Horwich to Bolton but also go out into the countryside quite a lot.

"It was difficult at first. I used to go in the cycle lane and it used to take me nearly an hour, now it takes an 25 minutes max!"

Gary's riding has improved so much that last year he took on and completed the coast to coast 170 miles long Morecombe to Bridlington cycle ride in aid of Macmillan cancer support.

With a growing passion for the biking ways, he decided to share his cycling story as part of the Transport for Greater Manchester campaign.

The #JustRide campaign runs until September and is part of the Cycle City programme, funded by the Department for Transport,

This includes running free adult cycling training sessions, developing a major network of cycleways and improving cycling facilities at stations, schools and workplaces to make travelling around the region by bike easier, safer and more convenient.

Gary said: "I would definitely like to see more people getting out and giving cycling a go.

"A lot of people are scared to go out on rides because of traffic and the roads, but it's not that bad. There's plenty of cycle lanes around town and Bolton is so close to the countryside to go out and cycle.

"Transport for Greater Manchester also offer free courses where they take you out one to one to get used to the roads, so there's no need to be worried or scared.

"I try to get out as much as possible along with my children who are 11 and eight - if I can get them off the Xbox that is!"

Other Greater Manchester cyclists joining Gary in the campaign include Aleem Misar, 44, of Heaton Mersey, Faye Drinkwater, 22, of Stockport, and Stella Smith, 37, of Sale.

Cllr Chris Paul, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Committee Cycling Champion, added: "There are many reasons to cycle; it’s quick and convenient, it’s great for the environment and it saves on travel costs.

"But perhaps one of the best reasons of all to cycle is to get healthy. We hope people will hear Gary’s, Stella’s, Faye’s and Aleem’s personal stories and be inspired to give cycling a go for themselves.

"With significant investment in cycling in Greater Manchester, there has never been a better time to think about cycling. This includes new and improved cycle routes, as well as cycle hubs at key destinations and improving cycling facilities at workplaces, schools and transport interchanges.

"We hope the campaign will show that cycling is for all types of people, and for all types of reasons."

People can get involved in #JustRide by attending one of the free cycling events which will be happening across Greater Manchester throughout the summer, as well as entering weekly prizes and can also share their own cycling stories.

To find out how to get involved in the #JustRide campaign, go to www.tfgm.com/justride and follow the campaign on Twitter with the hashtag #JustRide.

Information on cycling in Bolton, including training, tips on commuting on bike, Wheels For All sessions and the Cycle to Work scheme, are avaiable on the council website.

Maps of cycle lanes in Bolton, Bury and beyond are also available from Transport for Greater Manchester at www.cycling.tfgm.com