The British Ambassador to Portugal, Alex Ellis, was recently awarded by the FPCUB - Portuguese Federation of Cycling and Bike Users - with the National "Bicycle Mobility” Award.

The ceremony, which took place on September 16 in the Auditorium of the Lisbon Metro at Alto dos Moínhos’ Station under the European Mobility Week 2009, distinguished individuals and organisations that stood out over the last year in promoting and using the bicycle as an alternative means of transportation.

The FPCUB, founded in 1987, aims to protect the environment by promoting the bicycle as a sustainable means of mobility (as well as the safety of its users), and develop the practice recreational cycling for leisure, tourism or maintenance, representing it internationally and in Portugal.

This year the FPCUB distinguished, amongst others, Alex Ellis for the use of the bicycle as a means of transport, which, in addition to being a healthy practice also helps him stay fit, given the social commitments associated with an Ambassador are a permanent "threat". Whenever possible he commutes by bike, a habit acquired in London and Brussels, which he maintains to this day in Lisbon, where he regards the city slopes as a challenge.

His environmental conscience urges him to ride the bicycle whenever he can, in order to reduce his carbon footprint.