News

Commuters swap to bikes as Cycle Fridays begin

14 August 2009

Novice commuter cyclists from across the capital are today being guided into central London in a series of bike convoys in a new initiative by the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) dubbed ‘Cycle Fridays’.

For eight weeks the rides will depart at 8am from six different locations around the capital, led by experienced riders, providing a useful service for riders who need a little extra support to start cycling to work.

Those joining the rides were greeted by ride marshals from the London Cycling Campaign and given a basic bike check and relevant TfL cycle maps before getting on the road.

Cycle Fridays will continue every Friday until 2 October.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “ Whether it's Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday I tend to go by bike but, although it is safe and getting safer, I fully appreciate that some people find it a little daunting at first.

“Cycle Fridays are a brilliantly simple way of giving thousands of commuters the confidence to get cycling. I’m sure that when they see how much of a fun, healthy and convenient experience it can be they will be hooked.”

Ben Plowden, Director of Integrated Programmes, TfL said: “Cycling is a great way to get around London, but getting started can be intimidating. Cycle Fridays are one of the ways TfL is working with London’s cyclists to help people to start – and keep - cycling in London. For everything you need to cycle in London, from finding out more about Cycle Fridays to ordering free cycling maps and booking free cycle training, go to www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling.”

Koy Thomson, Chief Executive of London Cycling Campaign, said: “We know that a third of Londoners own a bike and many want to cycle more. But force of habit, particularly with commuting, stops them switching to the faster, cheaper alternative. Cycle Fridays will help people break old habits and exercise their choice to cycle”.

The initiative is part of a summer of cycling in capital, designed to boost the numbers going by bike. There has been a nine per cent increase in those pedalling on London’s major roads over the last year, but the Mayor and TfL are seeking to go further – aiming at a 400 per cent increase by 2025.

To find out more about Cycle Friday’s visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling

Notes to Editors

The Cycle Friday routes are as follows:

• Cycle Friday Route Start time Start location
• Brixton - Russell Sq 8.00 Outside KFC, Corner of Brixton Road and Coldharbour Lane, Brixton
• Finsbury Park – City (St Pauls) 8.00 Finsbury Park Gate, Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park
• Mile End – City (St Pauls) 8.00 Under the Green Bridge near Mile End station, Mile End Road, Mile End
• Ravenscourt - Trafalgar sq 8.00 Outside Ravenscourt Park Tube- Ravenscourt Place, Ravenscourt Park
• Swiss cottage - Holborn 8.00 Outside Theatre, Eton Avenue at junction with Swiss Cottage Gyratory, Swiss Cottage
• Greenwich – City (St Pauls) 8.00 Cutty Sark Gardens, King William Walk, Greenwich

The Mayor and TfL are investing a record £111 million in cycling this year, including funding for landmark cycle hire and cycle superhighway schemes, and a cycle safety programme.

London Cycling Campaign is a volunteer led charity with 10,000 members. Its vision is to make London a world class cycling city. There are more than 800,000 regular cycle users in London. LCC works to improve cycling in London and also provides services to its members, including:

• Free third party insurance
• Discounts in lots of London bike shops
• Access to theft insurance
• Free cycle-friendly legal advice
• Free London Cyclist magazine
• Leisure rides, social events and campaigns
• A growing network of busy and welcoming local groups

Source: Greater London Authority