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Get on your bike to beat shortage, says Boris
Pippa Crerar and Jack Lefley, Evening Standard13.06.08
Boris Johnson offered Londoners his top tip on avoiding the queues for fuel today - get on your bike.
The Mayor marked the start of Bike Week with a pledge to increase the number of cyclists in the capital.
He said: "Cycling is a personal passion of mine and events like Bike Week are just what we need to get people on their bikes, so they can experience first hand what a fun and all round positive activity cycling can be.
"Fuel prices may be rising but thankfully riding a bike is something that won't break the bank. And clearly no one can deny its green credentials or value to health. One of my personal aims is to encourage many more Londoners to get on their bikes."
Mr Johnson, who today had his bike checked out by City Hall's own "bike doctor", is bringing in a Parisian-style Velib bike hire scheme to encourage more Londoners to take to two wheels. The "bike doctor", Sean Lally, visits City Hall once a month to service staff bikes in a bid to encourage more to cycle to work.
Bike Week begins tomorrow with a two-day festival in Blackheath, where cyclists will be able to get advice on keeping their bikes safe and buy equipment.
Other events include:
• Monday: A night ride through Richmond Park stopping for a picnic by the Thames. Starts at Putney station at 10pm.
• Tuesday: Intrepid cyclist Alastair Humphreys will give a presentation about his four-year bike trip around the world at the Stanfords shop in Long Acre, Covent Garden, from 6.30pm. Tickets £2.
• Wednesday: A coffee morning in Hackney where riders will be able to get their bikes safety-checked and registered on a database. London Fields, Hackney, from 7am until 9am.
• Thursday: A fancy dress "glamour ride" in Mile End where riders can decorate their bikes, with prizes for the best efforts. Starts on the Green Bridge in Mile End Park at 7pm.
• Friday: A chance for City cyclists to get a health check for their bikes. The event starts at 4.30pm in Queen Street, near Mansion House Tube.
• Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June: A festival at Arsenal's Emirates stadium in Islington and the chance to meet Gunners star Justin Hoyte.
Bike Week manager Andre Curtis said cyclists lived, on average, at least two years longer than non-cyclists.
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS
www.bikeweek.org.uk
Reader views (6)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Knowing something about the low risk of cycling, and the persistent failure of helmet-wearing to reduce it yet further, I suggest Boris should follow his inclination and not bother to wear one. If he wants more people to cycle, this is a way to do his bit to challenge the myth that cycling is dangerous. As noted above, regular cyclists live 2 years more on average, and, per mile, cycling in the UK is about as safe as walking.
- Colin, Ealing UK
Mr Heritage, research from all over the world, including Australia, clearly demonstrates that helmets are useless and may in fact make cycling more dangerous since drivers take more risks with helmetted cyclists. Helmets work best at 4mph falls, no helmet exists that can protect against a lorry that side swipes you or a speeding driver. Don't take my word for it- the research is out there!
- Dr Susan Porter, London
Being a retired safety officer - I would like to see Boris at least wearing an approved helmet.
The helmet should be Number One mandatory item, followed by flashing red and white/blue LED lights, reflective gloves for giving hand-signals and some sort of side reflectance - either on the bike or the rider.
And all cyclists must obey the road rules - no sailing through pedestrian crossings with the little green man as one cyclist learnt in Melbourne with a little helping shove in the middle of the intersection.
One thing though, Boris - don't wear the spandex shorts !
- Ian Heritage, Melbourne, Australia
I did better,I sold my car 6 months ago,as I no longer need one.
I use the underground,Tram and the bus,or I walk.
My health has improved.
- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy
Good stuff Boris but please can we have some decent bike lanes now. This would save cyclists lives and reduce the incidence of nuisance cyclists riding on the pavements.
- Danny, London
There is so much pleasure to be had from riding a bike through London. Everyone should use this week as an excuse to give it a go. Even if its just for one day. Commuting to work will also save the average Londoner over £120 per month and is so much faster than any other mode of transport across London.
- Michael Cooper, London
