Elle Macpherson calls on Londoners to get on their bikes

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

This summer four cities will close many roads to traffic and thousands of people will take to the streets on their bicycles.

Ms Macpherson, 45, who lives in London's Notting Hill, said: "There's going to be this huge community, this surge of people riding their bikes and hopefully rediscovering a very simple pleasure."

Skyride, a campaign by Sky and British Cycling, will hold the mass participation events in Manchester, Glasgow, Leicester and London.

Australian Macpherson, who wore black sunglasses, a white vest and black leggings while posing on a bike, added: "You don't have to be an Olympic champion to cycle. Get out there and enjoy the environment and enjoy being with the family."

Research by YouGov revealed 38% of the adult British population own a bike, which is over 17.5 million bikes, but of these bike owners 42% haven't used their bikes so far in 2009, which is 7.4 million unused bicycles.

Pendleton, 28, who won a gold medal in the women's sprint in Beijing last year, said: "It's a great opportunity for people who have got a bike at home but haven't really had the motivation to get out there and use it as much as they could.

"The great thing about cycling is you don't have to be a particular size or age to do it, anyone can do it."

Television presenter Gethin Jones, from Cardiff, will be cycling over 500 miles, from Manchester to Glasgow to Leicester to London, to promote the campaign and the 31-year-old said: "I can't wait for the challenge. I'm having to go further than I've ever been before on a bike."

The Skyride events are taking place in Manchester on Sunday August 2, Glasgow on Sunday August 23, Leicester on Sunday August 30 and London on Sunday September 20.