More than 10,000 people saddled up to cycle around the city as Sky Ride hit Manchester this weekend.

Riders of all ages started the 12km loop at the Velodrome at the National Cycling Centre, by Philips Park, wound through the Etihad Campus and then the heart of Chinatown in central Manchester.

All roads were closed off for the free event.

Track cyclist Matt Crampton was there to kick off the ride at 10am.

It is the seventh time Manchester Council has hosted a Sky Ride Big Bike Event, in partnership with British Cycling and Sky.

Coun Chris Paul, Cycling Champion on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “It’s great to have Sky Ride back in Manchester for the seventh year.

“It’s always a great day out with people experiencing the freedom of the traffic-free streets.

“It doesn’t matter how old people, how old your bike is, or how fast participants ride – it’s all about getting on your bike and having fun.”

“By offering skills courses and cycle hubs, supporting events like this, and building a network of green, quiet and largely segregated, we aim to increase journeys by bike in Greater Manchester from about 2 per cent to more than 10 pr cent in just 10 years.”