Rowan MantellPedal-powered events are about to roll into Norfolk as the county gears up for National Bike Week, and the launch of the biggest sporting event ever held here.Rowan Mantell

Pedal-powered events are about to roll into Norfolk as the county gears up for National Bike Week, and the launch of the biggest sporting event ever held here.

From tomorrow cyclists can sign up to Norwich's new Bicycle Bonus Scheme, and save money and greenhouse gas emissions by cycling into the city.

There's also a chance to follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I - by bike. A guided cycle ride will trace the route followed by Queen Elizabeth when she visited Norwich in 1578.

And on Monday the official launch of the Norfolk stage of the Tour of Britain race takes place - with an innovative animation of cyclist flashing past iconic locations along the 117 mile route.

The event, at the Forum from 4.30pm, will include the first public screening of the animation made by local company Studio Steam.

The celebrations also include the chance to hear musical instruments made from old bike parts by local youngsters, to ride a fixed bike through ever rotating screens of landscape, and to take part in a game run by the Bureau of Silly Ideas - using pedal power to be the first to fill a tank of water and squirt it at your opponent.

The Tour of Britain hits Norfolk on September 16, with almost 100 of the world's top riders due to race from King's Lynn to Yarmouth.

Organisers believe the event, televised in more than 100 countries across the globe, will be a huge boost to Norfolk's tourist industry.

Tomorrow Britain's biggest mass participation cycling event, the Team Green Britain Bike Week, comes to Norwich. It aims to challenge everyone to rethink their everyday journeys and consider switching to cycling.

Local Bike Week events include:

The launch of Bike Week and the Bicycle Bonus Scheme outside St Gregory's Church, Norwich, from 10am to 4pm tomorrow. (Saturday June 19.)

Grab yourself a free bike-related give-away.

Bring your bike along to see Dr Bike for a free safety check - no need to pre book an appointment.

Find out more about the money (and planet)-saving scheme, set up by the Energy Saving Trust and Norfolk County Council. Members get a Bicycle Bonus pack including a high visibility wristband. Wear it every time you cycle into the city to receive discounts at shops and business. For more details turn up at the event or visit www.surveymk.com/s/bicycle-bonus

The Queen Elizabeth I ride, beginning at the junction of Newmarket Road and Unthank Road at 9.30am on Saturday June 19. For more details visit www.norwichcyclingcampaign.org

A Bike to Work Breakfast. Cycle to the Forum on Norwich's Millennium Plain on Wednesday June 23 to claim your free bike to work breakfast. The first 100 people, after 7.30am, will get a free breakfast of pastries, fruit, tea and coffee.

Staff at Walker Rubber and Plastic, on the Sweetbriar Road industrial estate, Norwich, are being offered a free Bike to Work breakfast all week.

The movers and shakers of Beccles will be getting on their bikes on Tuesday morning for an organised cycle ride around the Beccles Cycle Network.

The event, for invited dignitaries only, will include the chance to discuss cycling issues and projects along the way.

The Tour de Diss is a fun cycle-based day for the whole family. The 13 mile bike ride is followed by a barbecue and fete at Diss High School next Sunday June 27. All proceeds go to The Friends of Diss High School. For more info visit www.disshigh.norfolk.sch.uk

Arrive by bike at the National Trust's Oxburgh Hall during National Bike Week and get money off the entrance price.

Next Monday and Tuesday EDP2 will be focussing on cycling with all the latest news on the Tour of Britain preparations, plus your chance to get into the saddle and enjoy some bike rides around beautiful Norfolk. Find out where to ride, where to watch some of the world's top racers, and how you could win a new �600 bike.