CYCLING instructors in London launched their first-ever strike over a 14-year pay freeze today.

The staff, represented by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), will also down tools next Thursday and on July 14 as they demand pay restoration, a fair policy regarding late cancellation of classes and an end to unpaid administration time.

The walkouts come after Transport for London announced in March a 66 per cent increase in funding to councils for cycle training, which instructors argue is more than enough to meet their needs.