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A rush hour race has revealed it is quicker to run or cycle from Birmingham City Centre to Cannon Hill Park than take a car.

The challenge was set up to encourage commuters making shorter journeys around the city to consider giving up their motor cars.

Eight different modes of transport were tested by volunteers on the two-and-half-mile commute from Victora Square to Cannon Hill Park - and the fastest journey of nine minutes was by bike going via Bristol Road.

Council deputy leader Ian Ward used a ‘Big Birmingham Bike’ , available for hire, via Pershore Road and arrived in 18 minutes.

While a runner completed the journey in 20 minutes leaving the motorist, with a time of 30 minutes, trailing. The journey by bus took 45 minutes.

Even walking on the fair evening only took 38 minutes.

Participants included council and heatlh service staff, transport experts and members of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution project.

They set off at the height of rush hour, 5.30pm, and wore Garmin video cameras to record their journeys.

Coun Ian Ward said: “It was a pleasure to be in a position to take part in events such as the Rush Hour Challenge. Events such as this clearly demonstrate the commitment from the City Council to supporting and developing sustainable transport, making it a great place work and live.

“The results will help inform our future plans both for the Birmingham Cycle Revolution and more broadly for the Birmingham Connected initiative which will deliver integrated transport, joining up all types of travel for citizens.”

Similar rush hour challenges are also due to take place in Coventry, Solihull and Walsall.

The Birmingham Cycle Revolution, funded by the Department for Transport , is a city wide project focused on making cycling an everyday way to travel in Birmingham over the next 20 years.