Hundreds of cyclists braved heavy rainfall on Saturday to join a protest through central Athens calling on local authorities to create special bicycle lanes on congested roads in the city center. Blowing whistles and shouting anti-car slogans, cyclists of all ages rode through the streets despite the heavy downpour. Cyclists said they would mark out a cycling lane on a central Athens street themselves if authorities do not help. The protesters, who organized their rally over the Internet and by text message, are also calling for new laws allowing them to take their bicycles onto the metro and the urban railway network.