London Freewheel Cycle Ride

Image by manic Street Preacher on Flickr

On Sunday 23 September Mary, kids and I went on the Hovis Freewheel ride in London. Roads to the north of the River Thames were closed to vehicles allowing cyclists the freedom of the road for a change. We had great fun, particulalrly cycling through underpasses with all the cyclists, young and old, whooping for joy at not being drowned out by noise, suffocated by fumes or fearing for their lives.

So that was the good side ... On the downside, the organisers had arranged some "feeder routes" for cyclists to reach the main closed off route. These feeder routes were not closed to traffic and used London's motley collection of cycle routes. This showed how much more work is needed before London can be called "cycle-friendy" - even with luminous-clad marshalls at each major junction it was decidely scary taking kids and we were glad to arrive home with two kids intact.

So great fun, but more work to do on the cycle routes, Mr Mayor.