FOR just one day of the year, a group of 50 MPs left their air-conditioned cars and took to the roads of central London on bikes to demonstrate their support for Bike To Work Day. They cycled from Covent Garden to the Houses of Parliament but, even in this demonstration of solidarity to commuters who regularly tackle the melee of irate drivers and traffic fumes, they did not manage it without a little cosseting. The police held back the worst of the traffic.

There was one notable absentee from the group of MPs. Transport Minister John Prescott was unable to take part because he was being driven to another engagement. His junior minister Lord Whitty turned up in his place.