Get on your bike to beat shortage, says Boris

On your bike: cycling is a 'personal passion' for Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson offered Londoners his top tip on avoiding the queues for fuel today - get on your bike.

The Mayor marked the start of Bike Week with a pledge to increase the number of cyclists in the capital.

He said: "Cycling is a personal passion of mine and events like Bike Week are just what we need to get people on their bikes, so they can experience first hand what a fun and all round positive activity cycling can be.

"Fuel prices may be rising but thankfully riding a bike is something that won't break the bank. And clearly no one can deny its green credentials or value to health. One of my personal aims is to encourage many more Londoners to get on their bikes."

Mr Johnson, who today had his bike checked out by City Hall's own "bike doctor", is bringing in a Parisian-style Velib bike hire scheme to encourage more Londoners to take to two wheels. The "bike doctor", Sean Lally, visits City Hall once a month to service staff bikes in a bid to encourage more to cycle to work.

Bike Week begins tomorrow with a two-day festival in Blackheath, where cyclists will be able to get advice on keeping their bikes safe and buy equipment.

Other events include:

Monday: A night ride through Richmond Park stopping for a picnic by the Thames. Starts at Putney station at 10pm.

Tuesday: Intrepid cyclist Alastair Humphreys will give a presentation about his four-year bike trip around the world at the Stanfords shop in Long Acre, Covent Garden, from 6.30pm. Tickets £2.

Wednesday: A coffee morning in Hackney where riders will be able to get their bikes safety-checked and registered on a database. London Fields, Hackney, from 7am until 9am.

Thursday: A fancy dress "glamour ride" in Mile End where riders can decorate their bikes, with prizes for the best efforts. Starts on the Green Bridge in Mile End Park at 7pm.

Friday: A chance for City cyclists to get a health check for their bikes. The event starts at 4.30pm in Queen Street, near Mansion House Tube.

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June: A festival at Arsenal's Emirates stadium in Islington and the chance to meet Gunners star Justin Hoyte.

Bike Week manager Andre Curtis said cyclists lived, on average, at least two years longer than non-cyclists.

FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS
www.bikeweek.org.uk

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