Free bike rides and a pop-up velodrome

Hundreds of cyclists got on their bikes around Ealing to celebrate Bike Week 2014.

Led by experienced marshals, there was a special 'Ticket to Ride' event which took cyclists along roads, the canal towpath and through parks.

Ealing Council leader Julian Bell and cabinet member for environment and transport, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz were among the participants.

Councillor Mahfouz, said:

“It was tremendous to see so many people out enjoying the sunshine and so many hidden treasures that cycling through the borough has to offer.  Our programme to make more of the borough open for relaxing, safe cycling such as our investment in towpaths and 'quietways'  along back streets is complemented by the excellent news that the Greater London Authority has released the first £150,000 of our £15 million Mini Holland allocation. This funding will be used to transform cycling provision in Ealing.”

Meanwhile Labour's parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central and Acton, Dr Rupa Huq, joined the fun when Haven Green was transformed with a unique pop-up Velodrome, kids workshops, BMX displays, Dr bike fix-it surgeries and even a bicycle powered juicer smoothie machine.

Dr Huq said : “I’m a keen cyclist and find it an ideal way to get about different bits of the constituency. It’s the healthiest mode of transport, best for the environment and in many instances the quickest.”

“Bike week which encourages everyone to give cycling a go all over the UK is a great initiative and we’re particularly well-served in Ealing”.

''I might not be quite ready for the Tour de France when it comes through London, but I’m already looking forward to next year’s events.''

Proposals for segregated cycle routes in Ealing are to go ahead after Ealing council became one of eight boroughs to secure funding for the proposal to transform the town centre into a "mini Holland" making streets more cycle-friendly.

For information on cycle training provided by Ealing Council, free bike health checks and affordable cycle security scheme visit www.ealing.gov.uk/cycling

1st July 2014