Cyclists reach Top Gear in Eastbourne's Transport Challenge.

Eastbourne Borough Council's latest Bike vs Car Transport Challenge saw cycles triumph once again.

On October 16, the council, with the help of the town's cycling groups and Sussex Police, set the challenge of getting from the Somerfield Polegate Roundabout to the council's Grove Road offices in the shortest amount of time.

The leading cyclist covered the distance in 11 minutes 42 seconds, beating the quickest car (an Audi TT) by 60 seconds. Six more bikes arrived ahead of the next car, a Mini that covered the route in 18 minutes 13 seconds. The remaining six bikes, some of which elected to use cycle route 21 rather than the direct A22 road, arrived thereafter.

The Transport Challenge took place during the morning commuter run, with the aim of investigating the quickest way to get to work. While the bikes were able to zoom ahead, the cars were delayed by commuter traffic and the need to find parking spaces.

During National Bike Week in June, three cyclists had each beaten three cars in an earlier Transport Challenge, over a shorter route from Ocklynge School to the town centre.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Steve Wallis said, 'What a brilliant challenge and a great victory for the bike suggesting that it really is the better mode of transport. Not only does cycling offer great benefits for your health and is better for the environment, but it actually is quicker for journeys in and around town. I hope the results of this challenge will encourage more residents to get on their bike and cycle to work.'