THE Mayor of Waltham Forest has swapped his chauffeur-driven car for a chauffeur-powered bicycle to avoid the Olympic traffic.


Mayor Richard Sweden will now travel to all his summer engagements on a tandem bike after being given the two-seater from Heales Cycles in Highams Park.


He said: "It's a wonderful bike. We haven't worked out who's supposed to go one the front and who's on the back.


"One doesn't like to relinquish control though."


Cllr Sweden said he will continue using the bike after the games, but may have to use the official car when the weather is poor.


"The trick is how to look half decent when you arrive. It gives the right message and creates a bit of a stir too. [My chauffeur] is a bit of a fitness fanatic so he's quite looking forward to it," he added.

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