NEWPORT Gwent Dragons players Darren Waters and Lewis Robling kicked off a cycling event yesterday which aims to get the people of Newport on their bikes.

The duo was at the Intellectual Property Offices in Newport yesterday with Newport mayor Cliff Suller, to kick off the first ever Newport Cycle Challenge event that aims to get Newport workplaces, employees and individuals to get riding their bike over the next three weeks.

Mr Waters said: “Basically its loads better by bike.”

“By going to www.lovetoride.net/newport and registering as an organisation or an individual, you can take part in a fun, free competition with great prizes up for grabs.

"Encourage your workforce to benefit from cycling and take on other employers in Newport for the coveted 2013 title.”

Supported with funding from Environment Wales, the Newport Cycle Challenge is open to anyone over 16 and includes a fun competition between businesses in Newport, as well as Challenging Swansea who are in their second year.

Organisations that get the highest percentage of staff to take part will take the top spots in the live leader-board and battle it out with other Newport organisations.

There are top prizes for organisations, teams and individuals including a top of the range Merida Mountain Bike, team experiences, weekly prize draws and hundreds of cinema tickets to give away.

Sandy Sullivan, local project manager confirmed that “ Many local companies have already organised their own in house events with “try a bike” sessions using bikes supplied from Newport Council and a “Watt Bike” challenge supported by Newport based Welsh Cycling.

“It’s great to see that collaboration between the Council, Welsh Cycling and organisations is proving to be of real benefit to all those who want to cycle or give cycling a go”.

For more information visit www.challengeforchange.com