Biking to promote sustainable travel

1:30pm Tuesday 17th June 2008

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Parts of the borough were awash with bikes on Sunday as cyclists set out to promote sustainable travel.

More than 130 people donned helmets and decorated handlebars for the Greenacre cycle rally through Finchley, Friern Barnet and Whetstone.

The event was part of London Sustainability Week, which runs from June 1 to 21.

It started and finished at an eco-friendly fair organised by the North Finchley Agenda 21 environmental forum at the artsdepot in North Finchley.

Rally organiser Mike Gee said: "We had control of the roads for a few hours and it was a lovely feeling.

"It was a run away success and proves cycling can be fun, a great way to drive a little bit less and be part of the sustainable transport situation we need to be promoting."

The bike ride was the first of its kind in Finchley and Mr Gee added: "The area has never seen that number of bicycles together and people could see it was a viable form of transport for the future."

Cyclists rode round the three-mile circuit in convoy, decorated with everything from flags and balloons to musical instruments.

Mayor of Barnet Councillor John Marshall cut the ribbon to start the rally.

Speaking after the event, he said: "It was a wonderful morning. The sun shone on the righteous so there was a reason for people to go out on their bikes.

"Cycling is part of our green initiative and has a double benefit of making people healthy as well as saving the world."

See more pictures online at times-series.co.uk/news/ picturegalleries