COUNTY council leader Ian Hudspeth left his Range Rover at home - and his cycling helmet - as he promoted Cycle to Work Day.

Mr Hudspeth borrowed an electric bike from the Broken Spoke Bike Co-op to join county council staff in the rush-hour heading from Peartree park-and-ride to County Hall.

Mr Hudspeth enjoyed the experience on a morning when traffic snarl-ups across the city delayed commuters on their journeys to work.

He said: “We went past queues of traffic on Woodstock Road and Walton Street and it was a very pleasant cycle.

“Unfortunately I left my cycle helmet at home but I would always advise cyclists to wear one.

“There were hold-ups because of the sheer weight of traffic - if more people cycled there would be fewer delays.

“I think some drivers have been leaving later for work because they were used to doing that in the summer holidays.

“Often there is just one person in each car and I want to consider cycling to County Hall when it is possible for me to do it - it’s a good way of keeping fit.”

Joe McCorry tweeted shortly after 7.15am: “Abingdon Road best avoided this morning. Haven’t moved in 10 minutes. Guess I should have walked to the station.”

Cycle to Work Day is a national event held once a year.

The county council encourages staff to cycle to work with an incentive scheme allowing them to spread the cost of buying a new bike.