CYCLISTS will have a rare chance to explore some of the borough's streets free from all other traffic later this month.

The Redbridge Sky Ride will given thousands of cyclists of all ages the chance to travel along a number of major roads which will reserved just for people on two wheels.

All motor vehicles will be banned from the route, which runs from from the Redbridge Cycling Centre in Barkingside to the Fulwell Cross Roundabout.

The route will include stretches of Barkingside High Street, Hainault Road, Forest Road, and Station Road, which runs alongside Fairlop Waters County Park.

The rides are being organised by Sky television and British Cycling, who aim to boost interest and participation in the sport all the way from grass roots to elite level.

Sky and the Mayor of London are providing the £175,000 needed to run the event, while Redbridge Council are contributing £30,000 to cover the cost of closing the roads, erecting signs, advertising the event, and completing some roadworks on the route.

The event is one of a number taking place across the country in cities including Birmingham, Bath, Manchester, Glasgow and Bradford, with a Sky Ride due to take place in central London on September 5.

Local authorities all over the country were invited to apply to host an event, and Redbridge was chosen from hundreds of areas.

Last year five Sky Rides across the UK attracted more than 110,000 cyclists and it is hoped that this year's events will be even more successful.

The Redbridge Sky Ride will take place on Sunday August 15 from 11am to 4pm. For more information, visit www.goskyride.com.