More than a hundred cyclists pedaled their way through the San Fernando Valley on Saturday on a community bike ride led by Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Blumenfield.

Bringing together some of the growing number of amateur cyclists taking to the Valley’s roads and bike paths, the 8-mile route started at Blumenfield’s district office in Reseda and wound through parts of Woodland Hills.

“It was awesome,” said Michael Martindale, 9, who rode with his family. “We got to go through Pierce College and we saw horses and sheep and a donkey. This is my third major bike ride and I’m going to do more.”

Joe Phillips coordinates the group Ride Reseda, which meets every Sunday to cycle the Valley. He said Saturday’s event was a great way to bring the cycling community together.

“We have a core group of about five to 10 every week, but this really brought out a lot of people,” Phillips said. “We really want to encourage the community to do things like this, and it’s a great way to do it safely.”

While Saturday’s event was given a police escort, Phillips said an added benefit of the event was to show local residents ways to choose safe routes for cycling the Valley.

“There are lots of streets that don’t have bike lanes. I always try to choose the safest routes for our group. Like using Vanalden Avenue instead of Tampa or Reseda avenues,” he said.

Tips like Phillips’ are likely to come in handy as the popularity of cycling soars in the traditionally car-dominated Valley, especially among amateurs lured by an increasing number of dedicated routes and groups devoted to getting out on the road.

Organizers of CicLAvia, a popular festival for cyclists and pedestrians that has brought thousands to downtown L.A. and along Wilshire Boulevard for recent events, have expressed interest in a San Fernando Valley event next year. And smaller groups like Ride Reseda have popped up in neighborhoods across the region.

Capt. John Egan, who heads the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley station, often rides his mountain bike in the foothills along the valley’s northeastern border, and said Saturday that stepped-up cycling safety awareness is one of the division’s priorities as the number of local riders grows.

“The Police Department has really increased efforts when it comes to bicycle safety,” he said before joining in group of riders. “It’s all about sharing the road and being aware that its not just cars on the road. On the flip side, cyclists have to be aware and use the bike lanes when they can. There have been a lot added in the area and safety is really something we’re focusing on.”

Blumenfield said looking at bicycle infrastructure in the area was also one of the ideas behind the ride.

“We have some infrastructure, but we need more,” he said. “This was a fun, low-key way to get people out to see what is there. We have the Orange Line path, and the path along the L.A. River in the Valley will be great. But we need more bike lanes and that’s part of what I’m trying to work on.”

And while Saturday’s event was the first the councilman’s office has coordinated, he said it may not be the last.

“Today we had a great turnout, it was a good test for being the first one we’ve done. We’ll have to look at doing more in the future.”