Thousands of cyclists took to the streets in the capital's biggest mass bike-ride.

More than 30,000 people turned out for the event, bringing traffic to a standstill as they completed a circuit of central London.

The Mall was closed off to cars yesterday afternoon as participants in the inaugural Hovis Freewheel festival rode past Victoria Embankment, Westminster, St Paul's Cathedral and the London Eye in a 8.7-mile route.

Experienced cyclists led groups around the circuit several times and also offered road-worthiness tests to novice riders as part of Mayor Ken Livingstone's push to promote cycling.

BMX and mountain bike stunts were performed in St James's Park together with acrobatics.

Transport for London says cycling has increased by more than 80 per cent in the last seven years but wants to encourage more Londoners to use cycling as an alternative to cars.

The event comes after the Appeal Court outlawed the monthly Critical Mass Cycle Ride which saw hundreds of people meeting to ride around the capital.

The Met claimed the rides amounted to a public order offence because they caused disruption. The High Court last year found in favour of the cyclists. But the Court of Appeal overturned that decision, placing the rides, on the last Friday of every month, in a precarious situation.

Friends of the Earth and regular rider Des Kay, who fought the case, are due to appeal to the House of Lords.