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Dust off your old bike, urges Boris Johnson
Evening Standard21.07.08
Boris Johnson today urged Londoners to take part in London's biggest cycling event.
The Mayor was promoting London Freewheel, in which up to 100,000 people are expected to ride past the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. The free event on 21 September is part of the capital's Summer of Cycling, which aims to encourage more people to use a bike.
Figures released by Transport for London show that one in three adult Londoners has access to a bicycle but only half of these have used one in the past year.
Mr Johnson, who will take part in Freewheel, said: "I'm challenging all Londoners who have bicycles languishing in the shed or garage to dig them out, dust off the cobwebs and reacquaint themselves with one of the most glorious ways of getting about."
TfL is investing £55 million in cycling this year, including routes and a bike hire scheme.
Reader views (6)
How dare you refer to my wife in that way Boris?
- Bill Basing, Shepherds Bush
Sarah, and everyone else heading for the London Freewheel ride on 21st September can join an organised ride led by London Cycling Campaign volunteers from their local area to the Freewheel central car free route.
- Charlie, London
Funny how last year's Freewheel got comparatively little advance publicity, particularly from the Standard. I'm disappointed that they've dropped the South East London hub too. Any cyclist knows that getting from Peckham to Clapham, even on a Sunday, is a bit of a nightmare for inexperienced riders, and you'd be better off finding your own route to the centre.
And what's this Sky Sports sponsorship about? We got free sarnies from Allinson's last year. What will it be this year, I wonder?
- Sarah, London
Ben, maybe, beyond being Mayor, Boris actually has a life?
- Md, London, UK
Interesting spin on a story here - but why should anyone care what Johnson says on cycling.
How about a sponsored red-light cycle jump!
- Charles, London
I invited Boris to join my social network for cyclists, but he hasn't yet. I'd have thought that would be top of his list of things to do! Come on Boris, get involved and join the discussion about cycling with REAL CYCLISTS.
- Ben Ayers, London
