The Mayor launched the Newham Greenway Cycling Day, organised by the Rotary Club of Newham and the Newham Cycling Group, and supported by the council, Thames Water and the Olympic Deliver Authority.

The event saw more than 100 cyclists young and old ride on the Greenway between Upper Road in Plaistow and High Street, Stratford. Each lap of the circuit measured 2.5 miles.

The Mayor said: "This was a real fun challenge day for people of all ages and abilities. Cycling is enjoyable, a great way of keeping fit and a cheap way to get around. We would encourage more people to take up cycle training so that they can ride in safety."

All riders received a certificate but those who did five miles got a bronze medal, a silver medal if they did ten miles and a gold medal for reaching 20 miles. The youngest gold award winner was just four years old and the eldest was a pensioner. In all nearly 1,500 miles was covered.

The event was attended by Councillors Kay Scoresby and Winston Vaughan who each rode ten miles to earn a silver medal.

Michael Striesow, secretary of the Rotary Club, said: "The Greenway provides Newham with a marvellous traffic-free route. We are already planning next year's event."