Over a thousand Hackney school children from 50 different schools smashed a world record for the most riders in a ‘bike bus’ as they took part in a mass cycle ride.

A bike bus is a cyclist’s version of a walking bus, where a group of cyclists ride together along a set route, picking up people as they go. The final count stood at 1005, well above the current record of 880 - but will be verified by the Guinness World Records.

Cllr Demirci, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and sustainability, said: “We have been doing ‘Bike around the Borough’ for five years, but this year has been exceptional because we are now world record holders. It’s been fantastic to see hundreds of school kids cycling on our roads and hopefully it will show them how fun, healthy and easy it is to get around the borough by bike.”

Hundreds of spectators waved flags and cheered on the cyclists along the nine-mile route, creating a festival atmosphere.