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Cyclists turn out for Bike Week events

PROVING pedal power is the way to go, cyclists of all ages and abilities jumped on their bikes yesterday for the biggest mass turnout since giro d'italia fever a month ago.

As part of Bike Week 2014, hundreds of cycling enthusiastic arrived at Belfast Gasworks for the start of 'Ride On Belfast' and 'Bike to Work Day' with the aim of encouraging more commuters to leave their cars at home.

Regional development minister Danny Kennedy joined over 200 early morning cyclists ready for a two-mile route around the city, with a free breakfast awaiting participants at the last stop - Belfast City Hall.

"There has been a great turn-out of cyclists for this event and it is heartening to note so many commuters taking part in my 'cycling revolution' which I announced earlier in the year," Mr Kennedy said.

Jonathan Hobbs of Northern Ireland Greenways and part of the 'Ride On Belfast' contingent, paid tribute to the large number of new cyclists who joined with regular two-wheel commuters for yesterday's event.

"We had a fantastic response with the event attracting twice the number of people who turned up last year," he said.

"There was a great mix of people and as well as regular cycle-to-work enthusiasts, we had new cyclists prepared to 'give it a go'.

'Ride On Belfast' was co-ordinated by The Fréd Festival and Northern Ireland Greenways and linked in with Bike Week events organised by Travelwise and Belfast City Council.