Bolton Council is pulling out all the stops to encourage people to abandon their cars and use bicycles.

New cycle routes through the Croal Irwell Valley from Clifton Country Park park in Salford to Longsight Park in Harwood were opened with a Bike 'n' Picnic Event at Moses Gate Country Park.

A mass cycle ride from Bolton Town Centre to Rivington Country Park launched a new cycle route through Queens Park.

National Bike Week started in Bolton with an exhibition on the Town Hall Square with information and advice from local cycling clubs and Bolton Council's Health Promotion Unit.

A Mountain Bike Taster Day was held at Rivington Coutry Park in Horwich and there was a Bike to work Day where people were able to leave their bikes at the Excel Centre at Bolton College, then change and have breakfast before coming to work.

The drive to tackle pollution in town centres is part of the Government's Don't Choke Britain Campaign.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has launched a crusade to save the global environment by targetting the car with plans to introduce higher petrol duties and further tax penalties on company cars.

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