www.lcc.org.uk
June/July 2007
£2/free to members
Celebrate cycling Bike Week 2007
PLUS! Etiquette on the road Shoes made for riding
Centre stage
Brighton on two wheels
The Tour de France comes to London
Paul Smith My bike & I
Bargain buys Second-hand bicycles
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NEWS
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ZOE WILLIAMS
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JOSIE DEW
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RIDES & EVENTS
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Contents
June/July 2007
Issue 105 It's always refreshing getting a different perspective on something, be it seeing how cycling projects work in other cities (see our Outward Bound on Brighton, page 46) or having a more hands-on experience as Simon Brammer did when he 'drove' a London bus (page 7). I recently had cause to drive a car in London for the first time in several years. As frustrating as it was being stuck in gridlocked traffic, it did give me a rare insight into life on the road from the driver's seat. As I sat in my hired box during peak hour, cyclists whizzed past, often at great speed. Had I been moving or indeed turning or merging, it would have been near impossible for me to see each of these cyclists as they approached concurrently on different sides of my vehicle. It was both worrying and frightening, and I had a momentary pang of guilt for stereotyping all motorists as gas-guzzlers who drive unnecessarily and erratically. It's easy to forget that just like cyclists, many motorists – like me this particular morning – are actually considerate road-users. The next morning, as I cycled down alongside traffic on a busy Queenstown Road, I remembered what it was like to be sitting in the driver's seat. One morning in a box at rush hour has, I think, made me a better, more patient cyclist. Lynette Eyb
46
Product reviews
COVER STORY
28 Shoes made for cycling
WIN!
a mini bike pump
We test the latest footwear on the market
31 Base layers Great tops for summer cycling
20
Features
COVER STORY
12 The Tour de France Cycling's main event rides into London COVER STORY
16 Bike Week A celebration of cycling
45 My Way
4 News
From Beckenham to Lewisham
Four pages dedicated to news related to riding in the capital
8 Letters plus Zoe Williams
46 Outward Bound
An overview of the government scheme designed to get employees onto bikes
20 Flemish cycling in focus A new exhibition opens in London
Technical
49 Dispatches
24 Second-hand bikes
COVER STORY
Where to get a good, honest deal COVER STORY
Good manners on the roads
27 Workshops Maintenance courses across the capital
On the road in Vancouver
MP Emily Thornberry on the need for better cycle-rail integration
50 My Bike & I Designer Paul Smith chats to LC
32 LCC members’ page
COVER STORY
Making the most of your membership with bike shop discounts and other perks
34 Local group news Reports from your part of town
COVER STORY
Cycling in Brighton
11 Opinion
19 Cycle to Work
26 Cycling etiquette
45
Regulars
WIN!
WIN!
a souvenir Tour book, page 12
a pair of ladies' shorts
38 Diary Rides and events for all cyclists
42 Books ’n’ things Book reviews, extracts and more
43 Backpedalling with Josie Dew
50 Cover: The 2006 Tour of Britain, Getty Images (see page 12)
london Cyclist Editor Lynette Eyb Product reviews Erin Gill, Mel Allwood Design Anita Razak Marketing Sophie Cutter Advertising Mongoose Media, Dan Rich Tel: 020 7306 0300 ext 116 Fax: 020 7306 0301 lcc@mongoosemedia.com ■ London Cyclist welcomes voluntary contributions, including photographs. All work is accepted in good faith. Content may be edited and reproduced online – see www.lcc.org.uk/londoncyclist You can contact LC at 2 Newhams Row, London, SE1 3UZ. T: 020 7234 9310 londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk All views expressed in London Cyclist are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the editor, nor do they necessarily reflect LCC policy. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the editor. London Cyclist is printed by Wyndeham Grange on paper made from 100% de-inked post consumer waste. See page 32 for more on the London Cycling Campaign.
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News AN LCC CAMPAIGN
Director’s column Simon Brammer After more than four and half years, I am leaving LCC. When I first applied for this job, a colleague warned me not to work for membership organisations, saying they were argumentative, disjointed and ineffective. It’s true that synthesising the views of so many passionate people is challenging, but she could not have been more wrong in terms of the effectiveness of LCC. To see that effectiveness you only have to look around you. Every now and then, just for a second, I wonder if I am not cycling in Amsterdam or Copenhagen. The rapidity of this change is compelling. Whether it’s local group campaigning, community cycling, political lobbying or our information services, we deliver results. Cycling to work five years ago, I was often the only person sat at a junction; now there are 15 or more of us. That is change. We are now a strong, stable and influential organisation and as the political environment shifts, LCC is well placed to promote cycling as a simple and viable way of contributing to a solution to climate change. We are also well-placed to continue to gain political commitment, and to provide a united vision of what London could be like with even more investment in cycling. Cycling and walking offer a tantalising glimpse of pollution-free, safe, liveable cities where our transport options bring people together, not drive them apart. The humble bicycle is so powerful: it connects communities, empowers the disempowered and revitalises the environment but, most importantly, it engenders a sense of freedom in individuals. The continued challenge for LCC is to help others – politicians, transport planners and next door neighbours – realise that vision. I want to thank the LCC team that has supported me; LCC’s trustees for their insight and skills; the campaigners and activists who have challenged and encouraged me and played such a huge role in driving forward LCC; and every local group (the back-bone of LCC) for the difference you make. I want to also thank you, our members. You have helped make all this happen, but by staying part of LCC and encouraging others to join, you can help us craft a ‘world class cycling city’. The future is bright and it most certainly includes cycling.
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HGV cycle campaign Cyclists urged to ‘take care’ near lorries ‘Take care’ was the message aimed at lorry drivers and cyclists in the most recent instalment of the Transport for London (TfL) “Share the road” publicity campaign. At least six cyclists have been killed by HGVs in London in recent months, resulting in questions in parliament and a storm of publicity. Reports also emerged of an unpublished 2004 TfL study that concluded that over half of cyclist deaths in London are caused by collisions with HGVs. Most often these are construction industry lorries with three or four axles, and most deaths result from the lorry turning left. These lorries kill about the same number of pedestrians, and almost as many motorcyclists, as cyclists. Professional cycle trainers object to the TfL poster showing a cyclist in a position of danger, in a narrow cycle lane on the left of the lorry. A cyclist in this position should stop, they say, and never overtake on the inside near a junction. It is far safer to ride near the centre of the lane in a position that
can be seen and gives the cyclist control over the road space. TfL is also promoting signs on lorries “cyclists – beware of passing this vehicle on the inside”. None of this addresses the real issue that lorry drivers are not being prosecuted for killing cyclists, according to Charlie Lloyd of the LCC campaigns team. “The LCC has campaigned to support EU legislation to upgrade the mirrors on large lorries,” he said. “The UK government has yet to act on clear evidence that this would save hundreds of lives. Driver training is not good enough. The prosecuting authorities are not yet enforcing a duty of care on the most dangerous road users in London.” HOW TO GET INVOLVED See www.lcc.org.uk/campaigns or phone the LCC office (details on page 32) for more on LCC’s HGV campaign to make mirrors compulsory on all lorries. There is information under ‘cycle sense’ at www.lcc.org.uk/info outlining how to stay safe when cycling near lorries.
LCC NEWS
Awards showcase diversity of cycle projects Wandsworth Cycling community groups and the Campaign was among the emergency services for winners at Transport for making cycling accessible London’s (TfL) first Cycling for all Londoners. Communities Awards in Other winners included: April, claiming the Cycling ◆ Cycling for Young People for Adults Award for its Award: John Ball Primary Movers & Shakers project School, Lewisham; (LC Feb/Mar 07). ◆ Creative Solutions Award: Sally Haywill from STA The Focus Project, Penrose Bikes in Hackney and Housing, Hackney; the Met’s Sgt Sadler and ◆ Cycling Advocate Award: PC Henshaw shared the Kathy Jones, London Beyond the Call of Duty Ambulance Service; Award. Chief Inspector ◆ Cycling Development Derek Theobald and Award: St Johns Ambulance; Liz Bowgett from New ◆ Cycling Works Award: City Primary School in PCSO Begg, Metropolitan Tower Hamlets accepted Police Service. St Johns Ambulance won an award a special award for for delivering first aid by bike organising New City’s mass club bike rides to the Thames Barrier Park, while HOW TO GET INVOLVED Kensington and Chelsea’s Your community group can be in the running for next year’s awards. Metropolitan Police Cycle Community cycling grants, funded by TfL, are administered by LCC Team won for tackling street to help develop local projects. These grants helped many of the crime. The Signing In Deaf nominees and winners, including the Wandsworth Cycling Campaign’s Movers & Shakers project. Anyone interested in setting up a project Club in Enfield won for should email Sarah Slater at sarah@lcc.org.uk or phone the its cycle and road safety LCC office (details on page 32). Also keep an eye out for LCC’s training project. own London Cycling Awards later in the year. The awards recognised
For more news, go to www.lcc.org.uk
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News Send items for the news pages to news@lcc.org.uk or write to the address on page 3
New push to get kids riding ‘Bikeability to give children 21st century training’ The national roll out of the 21st century cycling proficiency scheme to get kids on their bikes has been launched in London. The new Bikeability training standard is designed to provide children with the on-road skills to handle modern traffic conditions. The launch in April coincided with new Cycling England research that showed a 50% decline in children’s cycling in the space of one generation and that 51% of mums questioned said they did their Cycling Proficiency
or cycled regularly to school as a child. Now, only a quarter of kids have received formal cycle training, and 91% never cycle to school. Parents are also concerned for the safety of their kids on the road, despite statistics showing that children are now less likely to be involved in an accident while cycling than they were 10 years ago. Transport minister Tom Harris said the new on-road training elements of Bikeabiility would reassure parents that their
children will be equipped with the skills to manage today’s roads. “We want our children to be safer, more confident cyclists and to encourage healthier, greener transport options,” he said. “The pilots for Bikeability have been a runaway success and I am confident the national roll out will see big increases in the number of people rediscovering the joys of travelling on two wheels.” Schools interested in Bikeability training for their students should see www.bikeability.org.uk.
Cycling still booming: TfL Mayor Ken Livingstone in May announced a further rise in cycling in London, with numbers up 83% per cent since 2000. The figures suggest the number of cyclists on the capital’s major roads increased by a further 6% between March 2006 and March 2007, continuing the strong annual growth since 2000. Transport for London (TfL) estimates 480,000 cycle journeys now take place every day across London. TfL will continue its ‘You’re better off by bike’ campaign. “London is experiencing
a cycling renaissance,” said Mr Livingstone. “We can now justifiably call ourselves a cycling city, a proposal that would have seemed ridiculous just six years ago.” Jenny Jones, the Mayor’s green transport adviser, called 2007 the “year of the bike in London”. LCC director Simon Brammer agreed. “2007 is an astonishingly exciting year for cycling in London,” he said. “We particularly want to inspire the 25% of Londoners who own a bike but never ride it to take to two wheels.”
Local LCC groups on May 4 helped launch ‘Two Tings’, a British Waterways campaign – backed by signage, flyers, special towpath events and a PR and advertising campaign – to promote a new towpath Code of Conduct. The new Code of Conduct asks cyclists to use a bell giving ‘Two Tings’ when approaching pedestrians and to ride at a sensible speed. It also asks pedestrians to listen for the ‘two tings’ and to allow cyclists to pass.
LCC NEWS
October AGM is your chance to shape LCC’s future The 2007 LCC Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at City Hall on October 16. The meeting is a chance for all members to hear about LCC’s work over the last 12 months and to help shape the agenda of the organisation over the next 12 months. LCC is now calling for members’ motions that may affect the future direction of LCC. Any motions relating to LCC policy must have been considered by the campaigns committee, as laid down in the AGM standing orders. A copy of which is available from the LCC office – see page 32 for contact details – or online at www.lcc.org.uk. All motions have to be proposed and seconded by
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current members and with the Company Secretary at the LCC office, 2 Newham’s Row, London, SE1 3UZ by midnight on August 20, 2007. LCC is also calling for nominations for at least three board vacancies. Nomination forms will be available online or by email (agm@lcc.org.uk) from July 1, 2007. Alternatively, phone the office to request a copy. Completed nominations (nominee, proposer and seconder – all LCC members) need to be with the Company Secretary at 2 Newham’s Row, London, SE1 3UZ by midnight on August 20, 2007. To register to attend the AGM, please email agm@lcc.org.uk. Members without internet access should call the LCC office.
in brief Hoy on VeloPark jury Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Chris Hoy will help choose the winning design for the London 2012 VeloPark. Shortlisted design teams will be asked to put forward their proposals for the VeloPark’ during both the Games and their legacy. Their submissions will be assessed in late June by a Design Jury, which will include Hoy. The winner will be announced in the summer.
Kids in their own Tour During Bike to School Week (April 23-27), pupils in Southwark, Islington, Camden, Newham, Havering and Greenwich started to race against each other in a ‘virtual Tour de France Stage 1 challenge’, organised by the Sustrans Bike It team. Participating schools raced against each other over a period of three weeks, the length of the Tour de France. The event saw students tally up the cycle mileage of their journeys to school, battling it out to be the first to reach 130 miles, the distance of Stage 1 of the Tour between London and Canterbury.
Bike theft on the rise A bicycle is stolen every 71 seconds in England, with almost 440,000 bikes reported stolen last year, according to Halifax Home Insurance. The company said bikes parked in central London, Kingstonupon-Thames, Cambridge and Bristol were most likely to be stolen. Almost 90% of thefts affected bikes locked in public places, with only 1% of bikes stolen from an owner’s home.
Guard against theft Cyclists can visit St John’s Wood police station, Newcourt Street, NW8, to have their bike marked for free. The opening hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, but call ahead on 020 7321 9720. If these hours do not suit, call crime prevention officer Sandra Cather on 020 7321 9706 to arrange a more suitable time.
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News
LCC NEWS
Derek’s a true bike veteran
in brief
MBE honour for champion of cherished machines
Bike It expands
Two LCC members were awarded MBEs earlier this year. In our last issue we profiled Tom Lynch. Here, we honour Derek Roberts Cycling historian Derek Roberts began riding a bike a staggering 84 years ago on a ‘fairy’ cycle, which was replaced when he was 14 by a Selbach. Selbach, as Derek later discovered, was the leading British lightweight bicycle manufacturer of the day, and it sparked a lifelong interest in makes. Despite later becoming being a key figure in two nationally recognised cycling clubs, Derek’s early years were spent cycling solo, or at most with a friend who shunned teams and group events. Derek founded the Veteran Cycle Club (VCC) in 1955, which has grown from a membership base of just a half dozen to more than 2,000 members from across the world.
The ‘veteran’ in VCC is not a reference to the members, but to the bikes. In order to avoid an ever-growing list of definitions: ‘classic’, ‘modern classic’, ‘vintage’, Derek came up with the idea of defining ‘veteran’ as ‘whatever the owner considers to be veteran’. It proved an irresistible invitation for proud owners of virtually any cherished machine. Asked to run the Fellowship of Cycling Old Timers (FCOT) when its founders were literally dying off, Derek inherited a
membership which appeared to live for their twice yearly jamboree. Keen to point out common misinterpretations, he reminds me that the penny farthing that the club’s earliest members rode was not the bicycle’s name. These ‘high wheelers’ or ‘ordinaries’ were nicknamed ‘penny farthings’ by ‘street urchins’ wanting to pour scorn on cyclists for their impoverished form of transport. Cycling daily to work for over 30 years, and an editor of both the VCC and FCOT magazines, Derek’s life has been delightfully enmeshed in spokes. Only a loss of balance in 2005 forced him to give up active participation in an activity he feels has no equal. Derek continues to campaign for a wider recognition of cycling’s benefits and for better provision for cyclists in London and the UK. Even at 90, he’s a man never more of our time. Gary Fahy
The Sustrans Bike It project has grown to include an additional 100 schools, taking the total number of participating schools to around the 200 mark. The project encourages children to cycle to school. Camden, Islington, Southwark, Greenwich, Havering and Newham schools are already participating in the programme. Teachers interested in the project can go to www.sustrans.org. uk/askforbikeit. There is more information on cycling to school under the ‘cycling with children’ link at www.lcc.org. uk/info
Acquitted over death A motorcyclist who collided with and killed cyclist Jason Chee Kit Wong on the London Cycle Network in May 2005 has been acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving, despite police evidence that the motorcyclist was travelling in excess of the speed limit.
AN LCC CAMPAIGN
Highway Code chaos unfolds The government’s response to a consultation period over the Highway Code was expected as London Cyclist went to press. It will be published at www.lcc.org. uk as soon as it is released. The draft code tabled in parliament in March ignored the concerns of cyclists who lobbied MPs and those who made submissions. LCC believes the proposed code could put cyclists at risk. The draft’s advice for cyclists to use “cycle facilities” and to keep within a lane “wherever possible” is not based on proven safety
benefits, according to Charlie Lloyd of LCC’s campaigns team. “In civil law, cyclists may lose out if they feel it is not safe to follow the advice,” he said. “The draft code went against the advice of governmentapproved cycle training information, and could be used to reduce the financial liability of negligent drivers who have injured cyclists. “Where cycle facilities have failed to protect cyclists from injury, the highway authority could also be held liable.”
Tom Bogdanowicz
‘Exploding bikes’ under review
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Mayor Ken Livingstone says he is willing to discuss the Met police’s policy of removing bikes – which it claims could be ‘bicycle bombs’ – from near Westminster. “TfL’s Cycling Centre of Excellence is working closely with Central St Martins Design Against Crime Unit DAC who have been commissioned by the Home office/Met to analyse this issue and make
recommendations to meet cycling/transport and public safety objectives,” he told the London Assembly in response to a question by the Green Party’s Jenny Jones. “TfL would be pleased to facilitate a meeting with the relevant stakeholders to discuss the matter.” A request for comment from the Met was not forthcoming at the time of press.
For more news, go to www.lcc.org.uk
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News
LCC NEWS
A day spent on the buses
in brief
LCC’s director gets behind the wheel in a simulator
HGVs to carry signs
“So do you want to see what it’s like to drive a bus?” The challenge came in the middle of a conversation about cyclists and bus drivers. Given that LCC had recently provided input from the cyclist’s viewpoint for a Transport for London (TfL) DVD for bus drivers, the ‘drive a bus challenge’ from TfL was not one I could refuse. I was relieved to discover that it was a bus simulator (the first in the UK) I’d be driving and not a real bus, and that it was located in ‘Firsdon’, a fictional borough housed in a huge building in north-west London. The simulator cab is based on a real London bus, with the same controls. You are positioned very high up and at the very front. Pulling away from the curb, you realise just what an enormous vehicle a bus is – you fill the entire width of your side of the road and have to constantly look in the mirrors to judge where you are in terms of your road position. I managed to get out onto the ‘road’ and pick up passengers without mowing them down. All was under control, and I was pretty pleased with myself. However, soon the empty roads were replaced (at the click of a button) with traffic, bad weather and the darkness of night. My stress levels surged as I clutched the wheel. Suddenly, I was having to predict the behaviour of everyone around me, from the
Motor company Ford has joined the Transport for London (TfL) campaigns aimed at reducing the risks cyclists face from HGVs. Ford will display warning signs for cyclists on the back of more than 2,000 HGV trucks and trailers. The signs, which have been developed by TfL, carry the message ‘Cyclists – beware of passing this vehicle on the inside’. See page 4 for details of LCC’s HGV campaign.
Money for Camden Simon Brammer, right, takes charge of a ‘bus’ in the fictional borough of Firsdon pedestrian about to step out to the passengers distracting me and the motorist trying hard to overtake. Even a cyclist popped up next to the bus as I was about to pull away. When a car emerged at speed from a side road, I hit the brakes. The lumbering 17-tonne bus with its 80 passengers took its time to stop (visions of passengers and shopping flying down the aisles) – we stopped, but only just in time. I never realised quite how stressful driving a bus could be: real drivers need to be alert for seven hours a day. Since the congestion charge, we’ve seen a boom in two transport modes in London: buses and bikes. Like it or not, they have to co-exist. My trial
Camden Council has won Greenway funding for a Camley Street/Agar Grove link, as well as money to convert a footway on Spaniards Road to shared use. This will run on the south side of the path between the top of the cycleway and Spaniards End. The funding is for 2007-08.
Tour of Britain route drive hasn’t stopped me being annoyed at the driver who drove up to my back wheel and beeped me a few days ago, but it will make me think differently next time I am in the same lane as a bus. In the spirit of understanding, we have now offered to take TfL driver trainers out on bikes, in bus lanes, in London. Watch this space. Many thanks to Simon Wallis of TfL and Bob Ingber of First for the experience.
Progress slow on removal of one-way systems When the unloved 1960s Shoreditch gyratory system returned to two-way in 2002, slashing bus journey times and creating massively improved conditions for walking and cycling, it was hailed as the flagship for a rolling programme removing large one-way systems from London’s high streets. Five years on, there has been no progress on the ground, though enabling work has continued behind the scenes. Transport for London has published a hitlist of a dozen gyratories it wants to reform – including Aldgate, New Cross, Tottenham Court Road/Gower Street, Stoke Newington, Tottenham Hale and Wandsworth. Others such as Hammersmith, the Nag’s Head, and the Upper Norwood Triangle aren’t yet in its sights. However, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone recently revealed to Green Party London Assembly
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member Jenny Jones that, despite studies having been done on 11 out of the 12 target gyratories, no funding has yet been allocated to implement any of the schemes. “Big one-way systems are dangerous for road users, as they encourage [motor] traffic to speed and cause twice as many casualties as twoway roads,” Ms Jones said. “Part of my budget agreement with the Mayor was to make London a green city by providing the appropriate conditions for walking and cycling, but this is not happening with these big one-way systems.” The Greens are pressing for the London-wide removal of gyratories to be put on the same footing as other major investment schemes such rail and underground, and for big money to be committed in next year’s budget. Trevor Parsons
Full route and date information for the 2007 Tour of Britain have been announced. The race, from September 9-15, will visit nine new venues, which will each host a stage for the first time. The race will start in London and finish in Glasgow. See www.tourofbritain.com
Funding put to vote Transport charity Sustrans has selected 79 community projects from around the UK to include in its ‘Connect2’ bid to the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions competition. Connect2 is up against five other schemes, with the winner to be decided by a public vote on ITV1 in December.
Eastway legacy fight The Eastway Users’ Group continues to fight to secure a post-Olympic legacy for track and off-road racing in East London following the demolition of the Eastway Cycle Circuit. Planning applications for a new circuit have been scaled back from 34ha to 10ha. For more information, see www.lcc.org. uk/campaigns and click on ‘current campaigns’.
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Letters Have your say
Thanks for Lynn Sloman’s article on making cycling a “normal” method of mass transport, but it’s only towards the end that she gets to the heart of the matter: for cycling in London to be as standard as in Utrecht, Copenhagen or Freiburg, we have to adopt their segregated cycle paths and cycle-friendly street environments. LCC is big on cycle training courses and cycle parking facilities (and these are important), but on their own they will never achieve the breakthrough to make cycling a mass activity. I suspect the reason LCC seems so hesitant about segregated cycle routes is that many activists are against them. The activists hope for a time when a tipping point will come, when there are so many cyclists that they dominate the roads. That would be wonderful, but it’s too late – even in Beijing the cycle has begun to lose out to the car. For bikes to become a premier form of transport, we need segregation. For most people, the only argument that will weigh against fears they or their children could be knocked off their bikes is to provide separation from motor traffic. William Saltmarsh, by email Lynn Sloman echoed how I feel about cycling in London. I moved from Freiburg to London 15 years ago. I used to be an active member in my local LCC group (Lambeth), but over the years my frustration with a lack of commitment from planners and decision-makers saw me resign. There is no real investment in radical change. I remember one meeting where a Transport for London (TfL) employee commented on a suggestion I made about how to reduce speeding on small roads, using Freiburg as an example: “That is not how things are done here!” My sense is that things are not getting done – and I know from first-hand experience as most people think I am crazy to still be cycling in London being eight months pregnant. A friend of mine from Amsterdam thinks nothing
of this in Amsterdam, but thinks I’m brave doing it in London. How many pregnant women cycle in London? How many parents cycle with children? When families are visible on the streets, cyclists will have become ‘normal’ human beings. Kahya Engler, Brixton
Opinion
Life as a ‘normal’ huma
n being
We know we’ll have developed a European-style cycling considered ‘normal’ to culture when it’s ride a bike, says author Lynn Sloman I don’t know about you, but when people ask if I’m a ‘keen’ cyclist it makes me fl inch. Before I lived in London, I lived in small towns where a bicycle was just a practical way of getting around, and it never occurred to me that it might be some sort of politicalwith-a-small-‘p’ statement about my outlook on life. To cycle in London is to be instantly pigeonholed. People will quickly assess whether you are a Green Party-supporting, Stoke Newington-living charity worker, a muscle-building fitness fanatic, or a thrusting politico who aspires to be the next David Cameron. However, there is no category labelled ‘normal regular person me?), and nobody tut-tuts who just happens to use or rolls a bike their eyes and tells me to get around’. cycling is too dangerous except The problem is made in the park. worse by I would like to be allowed the weird clothes that both to some people cycle, and to be normal. think are needed in order to ride a This isn’t just a selfish bike. I don’t want to be desire the clothes to fit in. Thinking a bit police – if you favour wearing more skinstrategically for a minute, tight yellow spandex, we are that’s up to going to have to transform you and I hope you enjoy London it. But it into a sustainable, low-carbon shouldn’t be necessary city for the rest over the next 20 years. of us. We ought collectively I can’t see to be that this is possible unless capable of designing cycling a city in which starts to play a more signifi people who don’t want cant to wear Top: Commuters role. The tube is a fantastic expensive techy gear peoplestill feel that go about their shifting machine, and cycling is for them. buses business in the are even better. Between This came home to me them, when Danish capital, they move about seven I was researching how million some cities Copenhagen passengers every day. have started to tackle But there are Above: Bikes car culture. also 11 million car trips A citizen of Utrecht (or each day. It immortalised in art Copenhagen would be a lot easier to or Freiburg...) would no cut our car on the Copenhagen more think use by half (which is a of putting on special clothes conservative Town Hall to ride estimate of what we need a bicycle than of donning to do) Bigglesif a lot more people used style goggles and a leather a bike, hat with at least some of the time. ear-flaps to drive a car. These people wouldn’t be ‘keen Cycling in ordinary clothes cyclists’, is the any more than they were sign of a civilised city. ‘keen bus In Utrecht, users’ or ‘keen motorists’. there is no particular need HAVE YOUR SAY to ride And this in turn means defensively, or to assert that your road Is Lynn Sloman people who think that position, or to cycle at cycling is the speed right? This was not for them need to be of the traffic – and consequently, persuaded a hot topic of that it is. Cycling must there is no particular need be made an debate at LCC’s to wear attractive option for some reflective spandex or journeys a helmet. AGM late last whether you are a middle-aged My aspiration is that cycling year. Share your professional woman; should become a normal a teenage way of thoughts on how girl; a retired taxi driver; getting around, so nobody or recently we can make bats arrived in London from an eyelid if I arrive at a a country meeting by cycling a ‘normal’ with little cycling culture. bike, nobody asks me Cycling how much activity. Email should not be a cult thing, my Brompton weighs where (answer: letters@lcc.org. to ride a bike is to join I don’t know, actually, the club. It but would uk or write to should not be what defi you like to carry it downstairs nes you. the address on for It takes a long time to achieve this page 3.
sort of change. If you talk to the transport planners in towns like Freiburg – where cycling now accounts for more than one in four trips – they will tell you that they have been investing in cycle paths, bicycle streets, 20mph zones, cycle parking, their bicycle stations and so on for over 30 years. They have spent a lot of money on promoting cycling, and on building a cyclefriendly street environment. Cycling in London is growing. The figures show that Londoners make 70% more cycle trips than five years ago. We have started on what – in optimistic moments – I hope will be a transformation of our streets and our culture. If it happens, it will take a couple of decades, and it will cost a lot of money. But the prize – a civilised, inclusive, ecologically sustainable city – will be worth every penny. Lynn Sloman’s book, Car Sick: Solutions For Our Car-addicted Culture, is published by Green Books. To order your copy at the special price of £8.95 + free p&p, phone 0845 458 9910 quoting ‘London Cyclist reader offer for Car Sick’.
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‘Let’s make cycling normal’ Lynn Sloman’s opinion piece in > the April/May issue clearly struck a chord among members – we’ve been inundated with letters. Here is a selection of responses
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I don’t know which part of London Lynn Sloman cycles, but it obviously isn’t Hackney, where to suggest that cycling isn’t “normal” might land you in the Regent’s Canal. Nor have I noticed anything particularly “weird” about the clothing donned by cyclists in one of Europe’s most tolerant cities. What I did spot, however, were a couple of lazy pegs being used to hang a very silly article. Brian Walker, E8
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I could certainly identify with Lynn Sloman’s article. There’s still a ‘clubiness’ attached to becoming a cyclist. It’s probably all to do with the British desire to label eveything. She is correct about helmets: you see fewer people in other countries wearing them – I think they’re seen as rather quaint, maybe oddball. However, it’s still more acceptable to turn up for a business meeting with a helmet under your arm these days than it was a few years back. David Cohen, N16 PS Love the new-look mag! Thanks to Lynn Sloman for this brilliant article. Cyclists are considered as lunatics of some sort and not as people simply wanting to get from A to B by bike. I am originally from Munich, where it is perfectly normal to ride a bike in everyday clothes and ride to wherever you want to go – be it work or a club on a Friday night. Indeed people in Munich cycle to work in suits and cycle to their favourite club in mini skirts and high heels. People with kids have trailers for their bikes or child seats, there are cycle lanes everywhere, cycling is allowed in parks and bikes can be locked anywhere and they are not taken away by police. I still don’t understand why cyclists in London are constantly harrassed when it is simply one of many ways (and an environmentally friendly, healthy, cheap way) to get around. Katharina Mueller, by email
I couldn’t agree more with Lynn Sloman’s assessment of the need to move to a European-style cycling culture. Although perhaps I should say Dutch/Danish model as many European countries are similar or worse than the British in their attitude to cycling. The French appear to see cycling as a predominantly sporting activity. The attitude of most bike shops in London doesn’t help: you see mainly mountain bikes or racing bikes. What percentage of bikes include a rack and mudguards, 1% or less? This strikes me as crazy – they are missing out on a large potential market for bikes suitable for ‘normal’ people. Steven Bridge, by email I would like to give a word of support to the cyclists wearing “yellow spandex”, who are ridiculed quite frequently in LC. Yellow Lycra would be particularly unforgiving, but the inference is that all specialist cycling kit is ‘not normal’. Whenever I cycle in my normal clothes, I regret it. No matter how slow I go, I arrive feeling hot and sweaty and decidedly unprepared for an office meeting. Cycling shorts are bliss for the bottom; breathable tops are great for keeping cool and Lycra stops you billowing through the wind like a sailship. A quick change and I’m happy. Please remember that cyclists who wear “expensive techy gear” do it for practical reasons, and not to appear like aliens. Cheryl Gilliver, SW15 I work with a lot of people who live within five miles of work, but who don’t cycle because of the perceived threat/danger of traffic. The answer is to engineer cycling solutions before car solutions. It works for buses, why not bikes? My route to work now is 50% bus lane and is a lot safer than before bus lanes. At 10am I am subjected to the usual push and shove, speeding cars, lane-swapping, no indicating, cutting up. I can cope, but newcomers to cycling can’t. The London Cycle Network solution is to shunt cyclists into quiet side roads. These are too slow – we need dedicated routes which are signed, separate, fast and efficient. Also, cycling has to be promoted to ALL sectors of the community, and we need to massively increase
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Letters
Letters can be sent to letters@lcc.org.uk or to the address on page 3. Letters may be edited for legal or space reasons (please keep them short and concise)
Don’t cycle on inside of HGVs In about 1960 I was cycling from school when I was grabbed by a pedestrian and pulled off my bike – I had been riding down the inside of a lorry which was closing across into the gutter. I owe my life to that unknown person and to the fact that streetside railings were then largely non-existent. The current series of cyclist fatalities involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) stresses that however good the driver and however many mirrors are fitted, the left side visibility from any vehicle with a cab is poor. All HGVs should have a full set of mirrors but the only safe rule is never to cycle down the left side of any vehicle. If you can keep a truck in front of you, then you stay in control. Sometimes you sense an inconsiderate overtaking movement from behind (a good reason for bike mirrors). If you sense a bad driver, there is surely no shame in dropping off onto the pavement or nipping in between parked cars. What we need is a change in the law so that in case of a collision, powered vehicle drivers have to prove that they took due care. That and better road discipline from many cyclists. Robert Sumerling, NW5
Reporting potholes I was very disappointed to read the article by Mark Bowman regarding potholes (LC Feb/Mar). The article concentrates on how to get compensation. I would have thought that if you are involved in an accident because you’ve hit a pothole, then the good citizen would report it so that another cyclist won’t come off and end up under a car or lorry. Instead, the advice is “whatever you do, do not” report the pothole. I would rather be down on a few quid rather than have the blood of another cyclist on my conscience and, as Mark says, the likelihood of getting money out of the local authority is slim. Surely it would be better for LCC and safety groups to lobby for fines if councils fail to remove potholes, with revenue generated put towards safety campaigns. I would expect you to push for the greater good of the cycling community rather than push us to act as individuals. You could rectify this by publishing how to report potholes in every issue (call the Street Faults Contact Centre on 0845 305 1234 or see http://streetfaults.tfl.gov.uk/) Keep up the great work. Jim Wood, SW12 Ed: Thanks for the feedback, Jim. Our last edition carried information on reporting potholes via the CTC’s www.fillthathole.org.uk, as well as detail on LCC’s own website which has guidance for cyclists and contacts. See www.lcc.org.uk and type ‘reporting potholes’ into the search box.
Carbon negative solutions Talking to a fellow cyclist the other day, it occurred to us that as non-car owners and lifelong cyclists (working, leisure, shopping – the works), surely we are not just ‘carbon neutral’ but actually ‘carbon negative’. Even taking into account
William Weinstein (My Way, LC Apr/May) rides “down Muswell Hill Road with its abominable potholes”. I hope he has reported them. I use www. neighbourhoodfixit.com for all kinds of street problems. It’s easy to use – just type in a street name
Zoe Williams My brother-in-law and his friend once did a Tour de France trip: let me talk you through this. You go to France at around the same time as the Tour, and you cycle the same route. There is some kind of deadline here, I feel sure – there must be a set time that you do it in, otherwise you’d get in Lance Armstrong’s way and look stupid. You probably meet all kinds of other keen amateurs in their pretty though slightly insane-looking Euro-bike gear. This isn’t how it worked out for Will and Tim, who cycled in tweeds, with pipes, like those Victorian gentleman-mountaineers who all perished. Either because they got the dates wrong, or because they didn’t want to encounter any Lyrca, they went it alone, and it suited them just fine. I had other ideas about this year’s London leg of the Tour de France. It’s totally historic. It would be like the French agreeing to hold a Hollandaisesauce championship in Ludlow (which, given how far we’ve come on in the culinary world of late, wouldn’t be such a bad idea, but one step at a time). This is no time for a quiet, solitary cycle of the route. This is a time for huge groups, having huge cycles, like friends from the 1950s, with sandwiches and fizzy pop and ginger beer. I had such plans! Naturally, there was the plan of cycling to Hyde Park and cheering, with colourful flags. Besides that, I was thinking, group cycle to Woolwich, past the front door of those Hargreaves brothers who represented British cycling in the 1948 Olympics and one of them – the still-alive one, who isn’t Reginald – still lives in Woolwich. Imagine how much fun that would be! Then I was planning to tie in an obviously satirical anti-France weekend, possibly the weekend before, where we would all cycle along the France-facing bits of the Viking trail (Whitstable, Ramsgate, Margate – you actually can’t actually see France from much of this – a lot of it would be symbolic), jeering. “Stand and weep as the rosbifs steal your title, you Yorkshire puddings!” You know, that kind of thing. This would have been rounded off by an anti-French dinner I would have cooked, featuring a course from every nation ever to have a war against the French (a Prussian starter… a British main… some Algerian cheese? I can’t think of any other wars. I might have looked this up on Wikipedia.) And then I got stupid pregnant! Apparently, you can cycle all the way through your pregnancy, and certainly for the first six months or so, except of course if you are me, and your road sense disappeared from the minute the zygote was introducing himself. Sure I can sit at home and jeer the French, but where’s the fun in that? I can cheer on the race from an exercise bike, but where’s the crowd hysteria? It will have to wait ’til next time. In the meantime, you can have any of my celebratory ideas. Go on! It’ll be a laugh!
Peter Dench
Cycle parking at St Pancras Be warned – the area outside the entrance to the new St Pancras station is private property, and yet another place where locking your bike to a street post results in threats to remove the bike. The provided racks are flimsy lock-thewheel-only affairs stuck up a dusty corridor inside the station. New developments really encourage cyclists, don’t they? Tamasin Cole, by email
the manufacture of the bicycle and maintenance, this must be offset many times by the fact that we burn no fuel in all our journeys. When seen in the light of carbon trading, shouldn’t we be entitled to receive payment from those who choose to drive heavy vehicles around? I liken it to producing your own electricity – when there is a surfeit, you sell it back to the National Grid. Dennis Dracup, W3
450
parking. Oh, and if we could get Freiburg’s planners to talk to Transport for London and the Met, I would get to work in no time. Keep up the good work. Nigel Bassindale, SW12
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Letters
LC is a terrific magazine – thanks for all your efforts. Regarding bus lanes, are you aware of the campaign being organised by Motor Cycle News (and others) to allow motor bikes into bus lanes? Do you have any information on this? Is anyone lobbying on the cyclist’s behalf? My MP said he was against motorcycles in bus lanes, but he may have said that simply because I had told him I was a cycling commuter. Bernard Oppenheim, London Charlie Lloyd from LCC’s campaigns team writes: Recently the Department for Transport has produced ‘more neutral’ guidance allowing highway authorities to permit motorcycles to use some bus lanes. The LCC believes this guidance is ill-founded. It contradicts the only valid research available which shows increased casualties as a result of allowing motorcycles in bus lanes on the A41, A23 and A13. LCC is lobbying Transport for London to
maintain its opposition to allowing more motorbikes in bus lanes. Unfortunately some councils could bow to the motorcycle lobby and let them into more lanes in London. Poor infrastructure at fault I noticed a Transport for London poster calling on cyclists not to jump red lights. Then I saw another one encouraging motorists to give cyclists more room. I guess they were trying to seem even-handed, but the second poster provides a clue to the issue in the first one. The main reason why cyclists jump red lights is because they are in fear of their lives from motorists who don’t give cyclists enough room. The infrastructure on London’s roads – including its red lights – is designed for cars. Cyclists can’t be blamed for breaking the rules if infrastructure fails to take into account cyclists’ needs when all they are trying to do is survive. Give us decent cycling facilities on London’s roads and a lot of cyclists will stop jumping red lights. Richard Gray, by email
From Muswell Hill to
I ride an old rusty Dawes Entering Regent’s Park, Lightning with oil-camoufl I have Pictured: William aged a long sweep of clear beautiful old plane trees Shimano 105 components. cycling past thriving Weinstein leaves I tend the zoo – you can see despite high levels of to favour proper cycling the giraffes pollution. Muswell Hill for the clothes, from the road. Just past A last sprint up Berkeley not so much because the tennis Street, they look Ritz on Piccadilly club is Winfield House, watching out for double-parked good, but because I’d home to the look silly American ambassador cars outside Nobu and cycling in the tuxedo to Britain. the Palm I wear as a The armed policemen Beach, and I arrive at table supervisor on the at the gate work. Journey night shift nod politely if I wave to time: approximately 30 at the Ritz Casino on them, minutes. Piccadilly. but they never take their My journey begins by hands heading off their weapons to return And the return leg ... down Muswell Hill Road my with its hand gesture. Although my commute abominable potholes into work and up to Almost opposite Winfi could not be described Highgate station. Archway eld House as relaxing, Road is the Regent’s Park Mosque the return journey, in the can be scary with buses with early and its colossal chandelier hours of the morning, articulated lorries racing visible is as peaceful for the through the windows. as one could want, especially green lights. It’s best The dome is to claim looking a bit grubby these compared to the joys the centre of a lane and days of riding and the keep the needs the attention of night bus. speed high. Further down a gilder. there I turn out of the park at In summer the sun is is a bus lane, although Clarence already BMW THE JOURNEY Terrace and hack my coming up and the air drivers apparently have way down is clean and a special Distance: Eight Baker Street, past the fresh. The policemen dispensation to use it. Sherlock at Winfield miles Holmes Museum. As a House seem more relaxed Junction Road runs through law-abiding and Time: 30 minutes wish cyclist, I wait at the pedestrian me good morning as I Archway and Tufnell Park pass. If to High points: lights here, though they I’m feeling macho, I take Kentish Town. Again, do seem to a steeper buses and Watching the be timed to let earthworms route through Hampstead; potholes are a problem, wriggle if I’m as are first hint of the safely across the road. suicidal, the only way distracted pedestrians home is up making summer sun rise Highgate Halfway down Baker Street their way through traffi West Hill. are c with their over Regent’s the welcome red Cs painted I am lucky in that my employer mobiles clamped to their on heads. Park the road, though I haven’t provides both secure Once through the chaos noticed parking and of Low points: The much showers difference Kentish Town Road, it’s at work. If I could just in the levels of a quick innumerable congestion since their persuade them to sign sprint through the back introduction. up to the streets potholes and On Orchard Street, between government’s Bike2Work of Camden Town. Well-meaning scheme, bendy buses Wigmore and Oxford I could buy a new bike Camden Council have Street, the as well. made great traffic congeals completely efforts to accommodate and cyclists, shoppers wend their way but don’t seem to have around ever the stationary cars, oblivious actually met one. My to the favourite ABOUT THE AUTHOR possibility of a cyclist example of this misplaced appearing. William Weinstein was born I get through eventually in London but spent much enthusiasm is a cycle and of lane 10-feet his adult life abroad, returning have a fast run around long that ends (labelled to London in 2000. He lives Grosvenor “END” so in Muswell Hill and works Square, then a tricky left at the Ritz Casino, Piccadilly, you know it) on a speed and a bump. as a casino inspector (a table right into Berkeley Square supervisor). He has been with its commuting in London for six years. LONDON CYCLIST FINAL43_My way_AR.indd
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Route canal treatment With British Waterways set to scrap the need for cycle permits on London’s canal towpaths, Barry Mason takes a wander through the history books to help explain the allure of the capital’s extensive canal system
“A
little bit of heaven between the gaunt wharves,” reads a caption in the 1924 silent film Barging Through London. Eighty years after that wonderfully evocative film, that gauntness being stripped away is as canal-side sites are flattened and the last of the lime warehouses are converted. But the slow-world magic remains, along with the lonely up-river feel of a water hyacinth-choked stretch the Bow Back Rivers of on a hot summer evening. “It’s a leisure park, a wildlife sanctuary, an industrial heritage site and a transport system all in one,” is how the Inland Waterways Association describes it. Birmingham may have more canals than Venice, but London’s got more than both: 65 miles against 35 and 26 respectively. British Waterways London – canals were nationalised in 1948 – is in charge of those 65 miles, 40 miles of rivers (but not the Thames), and 14 April/May 2007 LONDON CYCLIST
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110 acres of docks. From Brentford in the west, the canals loop east to Paddington, and Hackney, onto Limehouse Regent’s Park, Angel Basin and back to the Thames. The Limehouse Cut links to The Lea. The dead straight Hertford Union Canal connects the main loop to The Lea, by-passing Limehouse. It doesn’t take long to get to know these water routes, and almost all of them are rideable via towpaths. There’s the magic Bow Back Rivers and Three Mills – and the Greenway, with the sewage of four million Londoners bubbling beneath your tyres. Other routes have dwindled away or been lost to ‘progress’: Croydon Canal (Surrey Docks to Croydon), Grand Surrey Canal (Surrey Docks to Camberwell and Peckham), Grosvenor Canal by Chelsea Bridge, Kensington Canal (Chelsea Creek to Olympia), and the Fleet that enters the Thames under Blackfriars Bridge.
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Feature
Charity
Cyclists pedal thousands of year for hundreds of differentkilometres every causes. We look at the popularity of charity rides, the history of London’s largest ride and chat to one cyclist with a charitable habit
O
ne of the key statistics to have come out of LCC’s annual survey last year was the fact that some 68% of members had participated in a charity bike ride. Whether cycling’s boom has led to an increase in charity events or whether charity events have spawned an interest in riding among the previously unconverted is difficult to say. What is clear is that charities the length and breadth Britain have been quick of to see the potential of cyclists as fundraisers.
“Cycling for a common charitable goal has to be one of the most ethical things you can do.”
Not so charitable after all Charity bike rides (LC April/May) are based upon the assumption that some kind of sacrifice is being made by the participant. This assumption is false. A charity bike ride is nothing more than a holiday, paid for out of charitable funds and involving no sacrifice. Moreover, friends and
My way
the Ritz
Most Londoners commute to work as the sun rises, Here, he shares the chaos but not William Weinstein. of Kentish Town Road Park en route to his night and the serenity of Regent’s shift at the Ritz
Weinstein
Motorcycles and mopeds In response to Frustrated (LC April/ May), I encounter mopeds and motorbikes occupying the bike box at traffic lights. However, coming as I do from the ‘two wheels good; four wheels bad’ school of the road, I try to temper my annoyance with other two wheelers. Particularly annoying is the moped rider who pulls alongside on one’s right and then attempts to turn left, without appreciating that I can generally get away on my Brompton faster than they can. Bob Parish, by email
M-stand flaw I was admiring the M-stand in ‘Stand and deliver’ (LC, April/May), but I think you have to be careful when locking a bike on to it. Couldn’t the bike shown just be lifted off? Looks like it! Joanna Cronin, SE5 Ed: I’m afraid your eyes are playing tricks on you – the chain threads behind the lefthandside bend and around the middle section, under the ‘M’. A timely reminder, though, that the frame and both wheels should be fixed to an immovable object to maximise security.
BritainOnView, William
or postcode, click on the map and fill in a form. The system works out which council to send the > information to and then emails it off. I’m not saying that problems get fixed any quicker, but it’s a pleasure to report them. Colin Newman, Barking
Simon Albert, the director of adventure travel company Charity Challenge, which organises hundreds of fundraising expeditions each year, says his firm has seen a 34% increase in the number of people doing its bike rides since 2001. While walking and trekking still lead the charity pack, cycling, he says, is fast closing the gap. “Trekking is more popular because mountain climbing like Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp will always be popular, but the biking Cuba is also big and has been for the past five years now. Rajastan in India is increasingly
cases
popular, and the Vietnam to Cambodia bike ride we introduced a few years ago has taken off, so the market is there and people do want to do it. “Some charities have a strong group of bikers who do cycle challenges year in, year out. People do these rides for different reasons, but most people have an emotive reason for choosing a particular charity.” Dominic Carolan, from Skyline Events, which runs www.doitforcharity.com, says his company has 1,500 charities on its database, resulting in hundreds of cycle rides. “But this is only a fraction of all the charity events taking place in the UK,” he says. Dominic estimates up to 1,000 charity rides involving as many as 150,000 cyclists take place in excludes the many experienced the UK each year. This riders who undertake trips independent of charity head offices, using their own initative to raise money for their The British Heart Foundation’s favourite cause. annual London to Brighton ride is the largest ride leaving the capital each year and is always hugely oversubscribed. Organisers expected all 27,000 places on the June 17 ride – which coincides with annual Bike Week celebrations – to be taken by the time LC went to press. The largest event based wholly in the capital each year is Leukaemia Research’s London Bikeathon, which has grown from a small to a 5,000-strong, multi-route ride in Woking in 1989 event. The Bikeathon was the brainchild of fundraiser Tony Carter, who watched his wife complete the London to Brighton ride in the late ’80s. He quickly realised the potential of using bikes to provide a simple and enjoyable way of raising funds for good causes. “Cycling a route with others was never a new
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family are dragooned into giving to a cause about which they know little or nothing. Dan Straight, SE23 A new watersport? Your article on canals (LC April/May) doesn’t do justice to their sporting opportunities. Cycling on the towpath last April, my front wheel caught between two stones, I lost control and plunged into the water. In about four foot of water, my bike melted from under me. Back on land, dripping in the morning sunshine, I watched lines of bubbles from the filling tubes and laughed at myself. I felt good, invigorated by the water and coming through unscathed, perhaps because I’d always been scared of this happening. I walked, dripping, past Londoners politely pretending they didn’t notice I was soaked. A forked branch hooked my bike out of the water, my GP reassured me I needn’t worry unless my jaw became paralysed, and my work colleagues are still having a field day. I haven’t done it again but it did cheer me up, rather like cycling in rain can feel refreshingly good afterwards. Michael Stuart, NW6
Congrats to our April/May prize draw winners: ◆ Cereal bars: Cathy Simpson, Uxbridge. ◆ Innocent Smoothies: David Sophe, W2; Catherine Ross, N5; Roger Kelly, NW6.
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Opinion
‘We need a timetable for change’ The Department for Transport is currently considering the future of the railways. Emily Thornberry argues cycle-rail integration needs to be high up the agenda
Same page, different story In April the companies that run Britain’s trains finally awoke to the fact that the Tour de France’s visit to London would be a nice marketing opportunity. Credit must go to GNER, traditionally a fairly cycle-friendly company that has several bike spaces in guard’s vans
bookable online. They advertised a “Tour de London” day following the route of the prologue through Hyde Park. In stark contrast, Southeastern, which runs trains up and down the route of Stage 1, took the barmy decision to ban all cycles on its trains through the period of the Tour’s sojourn in Britain. This absurd position reflects two things: 1) that many train operators believe cyclists to be an inconvenience and 2) that train companies are under no compulsion to agree a unified, easily understood system for passengers with cycles. Getting to the root of the problem The problems, though, don’t just stem from the train companies. As far as London is concerned, by far the worst offender has to be Network Rail, which runs most the mainline stations. The layout of these stations often leads to fast food stands jostling with coffee shops and grimy bars for space, and cycle parking – if it’s provided at all – is tucked into a filthy, dank corner and crammed with decaying machines whose owners have long since forgotten their presence. Network Rail has no obligation to cater for cyclists – they are there to run the station to raise rent revenue, not to encourage cycle traffic. The parable of Waterloo might help illustrate the problem. South West Trains (SWT), the sole train company in and out of the busiest station (it has just under half a million passengers a day), has
Good provisions for passengers travelling with bikes on trains in and out of London are all too rare
provided some very good cycle parking up and down its line, it’s won awards for its facilities and its management has engaged with cyclists in the refurbishment of trains. Even at smaller stations there is parking space, all of it on the main platform under the station canopy. A peak-time ban still remains, but perhaps this is understandable given SWT has the highest levels of ‘passengers in excess of capacity’, as overcrowding is euphemised. But at Waterloo, the operating company has little influence. Cycle parking has been at gridlock for months, with a miserable section of parking in front of the main street entrance now usurped by scooters. Cyclists have retreated to a tiny space near the taxi rank, and plans to extend this patch have been delayed, with ‘security’ – that straw man for any opponent of change – hindering proposals. To top things off, our bikes are constantly nicked! Some 80% of station cycle crime is in London and the South East, with over 3,000 incidents reported in 2005. While car crime has been cut by half since 2000, cycle crime has risen by half. How do we rectify this mess? In Parliament we have been lobbying to improve the situation: we have triggered debates and asked questions of ministers in the Department for Transport. It is, after all, this department that dictates the policy to be followed by Network Rail and the train companies. Pressure from individual cyclists is also vital. Let’s hope they take on board our concerns – and our bikes.
About the author Emily Thornberry is the MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and chair of the AllParty Parliamentary Cycling Group. She has been a cyclist for 30 years and a whole room of her house has been colonised by bicycles. Have your say Share your thoughts on the
cycle-rail debate by writing to letters@lcc.org.uk or to the address on page 3. More information The LCC’s ‘travelling with your bicycle’ link at www. lcc.org.uk/info has details on parking at stations, as well as information on the various companies that operate rail services in London.
Tom Bogdanowicz
We all know that integrating cycling and trains makes perfect sense. Last year, 170 MPs signed a parliamentary motion supporting better cycle-rail integration. So why hasn’t it happened? Why is it so hard to find a place at a London station to lock your bike? Why aren’t bikes allowed on all trains? Where did the guard’s van go? Our railways are fragmented and in desperate need of a clear vision for the future, a future where bicycles have a place at the station and on the train. This summer offers a chance to change things for the better, with the Department for Transport set to publish a white paper outlining its plans for the next 30 years of the railways. The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group has written to the department urging it to ensure that cyclists are properly served by the railways. And for those in any doubt about just how bad it is out there, I shall share the story of one of my constituents, Mr Bankes-Jones. He had planned a surfing trip to Devon, and previous difficulties obtaining a cycle reservation meant that he decided to prepare in advance for his holiday battling Atlantic breakers. Two days before travelling, he booked his ticket online, but could not book a bike space through the same medium. After being transferred from organisation to organisation by phone, he finally acquired a reference number, but not a ticket! At Paddington, staff found the reference number was wrong, but a reservation had been made out to “Mr Bonkers”. On his return to London after four days of surfing, waiting for him at his home was his reservation for the first leg of the journey in the name of “Mr Bonkoes”.
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Feature
Some kind of wonderful It captures the imagination of millions of people every year – and it’s on its way to London. Matt Seaton explains the magic of the Tour de France ne fact alone tells you how much the Tour de France matters in the professional cycling calendar: for seven consecutive years (1999-2005), the best cyclist in the world, Lance Armstrong, treated it as if it was the only bike race in the world — or at least the only one worth winning. What were Armstrong’s other results during those years? Who cares? See what I mean? Italy and Spain both have ‘grand tours’, three-week stage races on a scale, in the old days, to rival France’s ‘Grand Boucle’, and while hardcore cycling fans will follow both, neither now comes close to what has become the biggest annual sporting spectacle in the world. Only the Tour de France can command not only a global television audience of hundreds of millions, but an actual physical audience of millions who turn out at the roadside to watch the peloton fly by in a blur of tanned legs and a whir of spinning sprockets. It’s estimated that about 10% of the population of France – more than five million people – take part in this annual ritual. And that’s to say nothing of the Belgians, Germans, Spanish, Italians, Swiss and
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Luxembourgeois who follow suit when the Tour makes its excursions into their lands. And this year, it’s our turn. The last time the Tour came to Britain, for two stages in the south-east, more than two million people watched it live. This year, it will be an even bigger deal: our two stages comprise the Grand Départ – a prologue time trial in the heart of London, finishing on the Mall between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch – and a 130-mile stage from London to Canterbury. In 1994, we had some local interest: Chris Boardman had won the opening prologue time trial a few days earlier, though had, sadly, lost the yellow jersey by the time the Tour made the cross-Channel trip. This year, the prologue course is short, flat and fast – and should be perfectly suited to Londoner Bradley Wiggins, who has just demonstrated that he is one of the fastest in the world in this type of event by collecting gold in the World Track Championships at the 4,000m individual pursuit. While team selections had not been announced when LC went to press, it seemed likely that British fans would have several UK riders to cheer on: the Scot David Millar is another time trial specialist who has made an encouraging return to the sport after serving a doping ban. Steve Cummings, Jeremy Hunt and Roger Hammond could also be in the frame. Realistically, though, we have no-one who is likely to be challenging for a podium place in Paris at the end of the three weeks. Yet, this is one of the things that makes the Tour such a scintillating spectacle: there
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Above: The Tour’s first stage starts in the centre of London and heads to Kent via Greenwich Left and main pictures: Last year’s Tour of Britain gave spectators a taste of things to come
are many races within the main event. For a start, there is the competition for the red polka dot king of the mountains jersey, the green points jersey for the most consistent finisher, even a white jersey for the leading young rider. Then there are the different types of stage, each favouring a different sort of rider. There’s the flat, fast courses of the first week, designed to provide the final kilometre thrills and spills of the sprint specialists. Then the race enters the Alps or the Pyrénées, and the pure climbers and the true podium contenders will fight it out, probing each others’ weaknesses on the massive mountain passes whose names have become Tour legend: Tourmalet, Madeleine, Ventoux, Alpe d’Huez. And, in between, there are the transitional, moderately hilly stages where an opportunist all-rounder can grab a day of glory. But it is in the high mountains that the race is decided, and the duels of strength, endurance, tactical genius and sheer will seen on these pitiless roads are what make the Tour so compelling. Here is where the drama takes place, the battle of mind, body and character that finally produces a winner. Often, there are reverses – even Lance occasionally had a ‘bad day’ and looked vulnerable, even if, more commonly, he would use these stages to assert himself, like a Nietzschean superman, over his rivals. In this epic of struggle of suffering and redemption, that is where the story of each Tour is told. If the prospect of all that doesn’t bring you to the Mall or St James’s Park on Saturday, July 7, just consider this: how many other of the world’s great sporting events can you go and watch absolutely free of charge? Matt Seaton writes about cycling for The Guardian. He is also a former editor of London Cyclist >>
Lynette Eyb
Feature
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NSPCC Big Bike Ride Advertisement Feature Cycling enthusiasts are being encouraged to take part in the NSPCC’s Big Bike Ride over the weekend of 29 June – 1 July 2007. The charity is looking for volunteers to organise and take part in bike rides in their local communities. The money raised will help make a difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the UK. Regardless of age, fitness, ability or the speed of your bike, the emphasis over the weekend is to have fun. Rides can take place in your local parks with the whole family or if you prefer a more gruelling challenge you can tackle a longer distance with your cycling group. You can even pedal the distance on a stationary bike at the gym. This is a great way to explore new cycle paths or use as part of your training programme. Every penny raised makes it possible for the NSPCC to continue its vital work with some of the most vulnerable children and young people across the UK.
NSPCC Fact •
Each week at least one child dies from cruelty
How your money will make a difference £12 £100 £314 £500
could cover the cost of a 30 minute one to one session on Thereforeme.com, the NSPCC’s online counselling service, providing help and advice to young people. could furnish the story corner in a playroom at one of our projects. could fund two days work of one of our children’s services practitioners, providing children with the support they need. could pay for a course of counselling with an NSPCC counsellor for a child or young person at school.
Order your pack now! To order your free Big Bike Ride 2007 organisers pack log on to
Please complete the details below and return them to us or register online at: www.bigbikeride.co.uk/pedal Mr/Mrs/Ms/Other
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Help us to save money! Enter your email address to receive your Big Bike Ride updates via email. Bike ride name* Help us to keep track of all the money raised by your event by registering a bike ride name. If you can’t think of one you can always use your surname!
Address* Postcode* * denotes mandatory fields It really helps us if we can communicate with you about our work and information about how you can continue to support us. If you do not wish to receive any further information from the NSPCC, please tick here If you wish to receive such communications via email, then please tick here
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10/5/07 11:16:47
Feature
Forgotten hero Richard Moore profiles the Brit who came closest to winning the Tour
GET IN ON THE ACTION The weekend of July 6-8 will see Tour fever take over London. Here’s the schedule of what’s on when. Check www.lcc.org.uk for updates.
Above: The Prologue route through the streets of London
Friday, July 6: A launch party will be held in Trafalgar Square from 6pm to celebrate the 2007 Tour. Saturday, July 7: The Prologue will see 200 athletes race against the clock through the streets from 3pm. LCC will take 2,500 people to the Prologue, with Transport for London providing an exclusive viewing area for LCC to use to encourage new or returning cyclists to join in the fun. Space in the viewing area is limited, so members, their friends and family are encouraged to register as soon as possible via the Tour de France section at www.lcc.org.uk/ rides. Members without internet access should call LCC (contact details page 32). LCC needs members who are experienced cyclists (preferably with National Standards training) to lead and marshal rides from local starting points to Hyde Park, and home again afterwards. Also needed are 50 volunteers to act as ‘LCC ambassadors’ in Hyde Park, helping people discover LCC’s stand in the People’s Village, as well as the viewing area. A training/ planning morning will take place in Hyde Park on June 16. Training and support sessions for ride leaders will be held prior to the event. Sunday, July 8: The first stage of the Tour leaves the Mall at 10.25am, and heads through the City to Greenwich and on to Canterbury. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the route. ■ Keep an eye on www.lcc.org.uk as July approaches for more details of group rides. For general Tour news and information, see www.tourdefrancelondon.com
Above: LCC will have a stand and performance area in the ‘People’s Village’ festival site by the route in Hyde Park. Volunteers are needed to help promote the campaign
WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! To celebrate the Tour de France’s visit to London, we have three copies of the Official Treasures Of Le Tour de France to giveaway. To enter, send a postcard to the address on page 3 or email us at londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk. Please clearly mark entries ‘Tour treasures’. Entries close July 1, 2007. LC readers can receive a £5 discount off the usual £30 price of the book. To take advantage of this offer, call 0870 900 2050 and quote ‘CA091’. The offer is valid until August 1, 2007.
As the Tour prepares for its Grand Depart in London, it is inevitable that attention will be focused not only on the British cyclists who are likely to start this year’s race, but also on the few riders from these islands who have graced the race in the past. And none has graced it quite like Robert Millar, the small climber from Glasgow who remains the only Briton ever to stand on the podium in Paris. It was in 1984 when Millar was crowned King of the Mountains, earning the right to wear the polka dot jersey and stand alongside the wearers of the yellow (overall winner) and green (points winner) jerseys on the Champs Élysées. Millar won three stages in the Pyrénées and finished 11 Tours, usually in the top 20. He should be a VIP at the Grand Depart, but he will be nowhere to be seen. The man who was such an enigma during his career has appeared even more so since retiring in 1995, cutting his ties with the sport over the past decade. Yet although he has faded from the public eye, Millar shouldn’t be forgotten. He epitomised all that is appealing about the Tour de France and all that is cool and heroic about its protagonists. He was quiet and self-contained, letting his legs do the talking. He was cool and stylish, dancing up mountains with an easy, hypnotic rhythm, as graceful as a ballet dancer. He was utterly dedicated, almost selfsacrificial, devoting every waking hour to his sport; he was mysterious, funny, unknowable. And he was British. For a while in the years that followed his 1984 exploits, those of us who followed the sport believed Millar could – and would – become the Tour’s first English-speaking winner. Millar had a big following. A little-known British band recorded a song, Can Robert Millar Win The Tour de France? The race was broadcast daily on Channel 4, attracting more than two million viewers. It was a golden era for the sport, especially the English-speakers. Finally it was Greg LeMond, the American, who, in 1986, became the first to win, and that opened the floodgates. Since then, 10 Tours have been won by English speakers – Stephen Roche, LeMond twice more, and, of course, the seven-time champion Lance Armstrong. But no British cyclist has followed Millar’s path to become a Tour contender. Sean Yates, Chris Boardman and David Millar have all worn the yellow jersey, but none has got near the podium in Paris. Although it might seem a pity that Millar is unlikely to be around to bask in the acclaim he deserves when this year’s Tour leaves London, it is somehow fitting – and much cooler – for him to just disappear … much more Robert Millar. Richard Moore is the author of In Search of Robert Millar (£15.99), published by HarperCollins on June 4.
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Celebrate the bike Bike Week will take place all over London from June 16 to 24. Lynette Eyb has this overview of events taking place to mark the occasion Above: Lambeth’s Bike Week activities aim to bring more cyclists together Above right: Join Lewisham Cyclists on their summer evening tour featuring secret views of London
There are thousands of events taking place all over London to mark Bike Week. Many of the events below – and dozens more like them – are listed in the ‘Get involved’ section of www.lcc.org.uk and among the rides listed on page 38. Others can be found on the official Bike Week website at www. bikeweek.org.uk or via local groups (see page 34 for contacts). Don’t forget to ask your local group coordinator if they need a hand – volunteers to hand out flyers, help out with stalls or to simply help convert more people to the joys of two wheels are always welcome during Bike Week.
ENFIELD Enfield Council will hold its first ever Cycling Festival during Bike Week. Mark June 24 into your diary, with festivities taking place in the town park. The Company of Cyclists will provide entertainment, and Enfield Cycling Campaign will run a Dr Bike maintenance workshop and provide information to new cyclists. Enfield Cycling Campaign will hold rides throughout the week. More information: See www.lccenfield.fsnet.co.uk or contact the local groups coordinator, Richard Reeve, on 0870 321 3717 or r.reeve@blueyonder.co.uk.
HACKNEY CAMDEN The Camden local group has an array of events lined up to celebrate Bike Week, including a Dr Bike session at West Hampstead on June 16, a ride led by James Brander on June 17 and a cyclists’ breakfast on June 20. Last year’s breakfast was a huge success, and 2007 promises to be even bigger. A bike ride around Camden taking in all the wards will be organised for June 24, meeting at the Town Hall at 10.30 am. A map of the ride is available online. More information: www.camdencyclists.org.uk or from the local group coordinators on 020 7435 0196 or 020 7485 5896.
Hackney’s Bike Week starts on Sunday, June 16 with a ‘Bike The Bounds’ ride leaving Hackney Town Hall at 12.30pm and concluding with a picnic on the marshes. On June 20, pass through London Fields between 7am and 9am for a free breakfast of coffee and croissants courtesy of Hackney Cyclists, or relax after work on June 22 with music, cocktails and pleasant company from 6pm-8pm at the Commuter Cooldown, corner of Green Lanes and Collins Road, opposite the Clissold Park’s south-west entrance. Two rides are planned for June 24 – a tour of Hackney’s glorious trees and a day’s ride to Epping Forest.
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HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM Greenfest West London will have a cycling edge thanks to the Hammersmith & Fulham local group. It’s on June 17, 1pm-5pm at Furnival Gardens beside the river in Hammersmith. See www.greenfest.org.uk. There will be a free prize draw for a bike and you’ll be able to pick up some environmental freebies. A highlight will be bike try-outs with the Company of Cyclists. The Hammersmith & Fulham group also has a Bike Week ride on June 20 through Richmond Park to meet with other LCC groups at the Roebuck on Richmond Hill. Meet in Furnivall Gardens by 7.30pm. More information: John on 020 7371 1290 or 07789 095 748, or via info@hfcyclists.org.uk
LAMBETH A highlight of the Lambeth calendar will be a Bike Week Barbecue on Sunday, June 17 from 4pm, meeting outside Brixton Ritzy cinema. There will also be a special Lambeth Bike Week meeting to discuss future cycling plans for the borough and to socialise afterwards. It’s on Tuesday, June 19 at 8.30pm at the Bread & Roses, 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4. More information: Philip Loy via 07960 026450 or lambeth_cyclists@hotmail.com. More events will be posted online at www.lambethcyclists.org.uk as Bike Week approaches.
LEWISHAM Lewisham Cyclists will run a full Bike Week programme – short evening rides, community events designed to get people back on their bikes, longer trips to the country and coast, and a bike breakfast. June 16 will see a Dr Bike and community event, while June 17 features a ride from Burnham on Crouch (details from Ian Pendleton on 07986 872 205). June 18 will be an Oxleas Wood off-roader followed by a riverside drink with Greenwich Cyclists (details from Ian Pendleton, as above). On June 19, Lewisham will link to a Greenwich Cyclists’ ride down Lewisham’s Waterlink Way (details from Paul Taylor on 07957 209 322); June 20 will be the group’s annual picnic on top of Blythe Hill, with a feeder ride from Ladywell Fields at 7pm (details from Ian Pendleton, as above). June 21 (details Paul Taylor, as above) and June 22 (details from Ian Pendleton, as above) will see further rides,
Above left: Kids enjoy last year’s Camden Cyclists’ breakfast during Bike Week Above: Lewisham Cyclists’ Dr Bike proved popular during last year’s festivities Above right: Camden’s breakfast enabled the group to distribute cycling information and accessories to new cyclists
culminating in the traditional Bike Week Brighton ride on June 24 (details from Paul Taylor, as above). Meanwhile, June 23 will feature a community event and Dr Bike – see the website (below) for details. More information: See www.lewishamcyclists.net and click on ‘events’ for extra details and late additions, as well as great rides throughout the year. Maps of meeting points are also on the website.
MERTON Merton Bike Week events are especially aimed at people who have made the decision to try cycling but lack knowledge and confidence, or people who would appreciate the friendship of being with other cyclists. Merton Cycling Campaign will be spreading the word with an information display throughout Bike Week in Morden Hall Park. There will also be a stall at Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping Centre on June 16 (10am-6pm) and June 17 (10am-4pm). Details from Richard Evans on 020 8946 0912. On June 17 there will be a ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists starting from Pollards Hill Library, while June 20 will see a gently paced ride over Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park to watch the sun set from Richmond Hill. The ride starts at Wimbledon Station forecourt at 7.30pm. June 22 features a cyclists’ BBQ at 88 Aylward Road, Merton Park, from 7.30pm. Bring your bike, a bottle and something for the barbie. On June 24, a Bread Pudding ride with Kingston Cyclists starts from Wimbledon Station forecourt at 10am (tbc), led by Godwin Calafato (020 8543 3442). More information: Unless otherwise stated, enquiries should be directed to Richard Evans on 020 8946 0912 or via richard@mertoncyclists.org.uk. Merton Council’s Bike Week plans can be found at www.merton.gov.uk/bikeweek.htm or contact Paulo Camera via paulo.camara@merton.gov.uk or 020 8545 3760.
REDBRIDGE Redbridge Cycling Campaign will hold a Father’s Day Picnic Ride on June 17 to coincide with Bike Week. Cycle the two-mile off-road ride from Wanstead Station to Hollow Ponds for fun and games, unicycling, facepainting, refreshments, more rides around the ponds, plus a surprise Father’s Day present for all dads. The ride is suitable for families and led by experienced cyclists. It starts at 2pm from outside Wanstead Station. More information: Contact Gill and Alan on 020 8989 4898 or Nick on 020 8518 8190.
Lionel Shapiro, Helen Vecht
More information: For full details of these and other Hackney Cyclists events, see www.hackney-cyclists. org.uk/diary or call 020 7729 2273.
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Feature
Working it out
The government’s Cycle to Work initiative is designed to get more of us commuting. Lynette Eyb has an overview of the scheme What is the Cycle to Work scheme?
Setting up a scheme An employer can either take responsibility for administering the scheme themselves or choose an external supplier to set up the scheme for them. The second option is by far the easiest solution as it involves less research into complex tax law and minimises administration at the employer’s end. An external supplier will be contracted to set up the scheme, produce hire agreements and provide participants with vouchers which are redeemable at the supplier’s partner bike shops. Employers choosing an external supplier should still have a thorough understanding of the VAT, income tax and National Insurance implications of setting up a scheme. Any income received by an organisation that is deemed to fall outside VAT legislation will also affect the tax status of the scheme. As the bikes are owned by the company, employers can claim capital allowances against their company corporation tax bill.
Questions for the supplier Dozens of companies and bike shops have positioned themselves to provide a Cycle to Work scheme – LCC can provide advice to assist this process, but key questions for potential suppliers should include: ◆ What are the terms and conditions of the contract? ◆ Is the contract exclusive and for how long? ◆ What bike shops is the supplier affiliated with and what types/brands of bikes do they sell?
Questions related to company policy Employers need to ensure their company policy protects both employer and employee. Questions which should be addressed at HR level prior to the scheme’s introduction include: ◆ Is there going to be a limit on how much bikes can cost? (Hire agreements over £1,000 require the company to apply for a Consumer Credit Licence.) ◆ How many employees can participate in the scheme at any one time; who gets priority?
Employers can work with staff to help get more people riding to work
◆ How much administrative time will the scheme take up, and will this impact on other areas of the business? ◆ How often can employees take part in the scheme? Are they able to upgrade their bikes each year? ◆ What happens if an employee leaves the business before fulfilling their agreement? Can they pay off the outstanding hire sum prior to leaving? What tax implications will this have? ◆ How long will your hire purchase agreements with staff last? ◆ The bikes are considered company property until final purchase. Does the company’s public liability insurance cover employees when they are out riding? Who is responsible for bike maintenance and repair? ◆ Employers should also consider installing cycle parking and showers, establishing a bicycle user group and inviting a training provider to carry out safe cycling sessions. LCC is able to advise on all these initiatives.
More information ◆ Employers are advised to become familiar with the Cycle to Work Scheme Implementation Guidance at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/ cycling/, especially if they choose to administer the scheme themselves. ◆ LCC is currently undertaking a study of the scheme and its benefits, the results of which will be published in a future edition of LC. See www.lcc.org.uk/info in the meantime for general workplace cycling information, or call LCC (contact details are on page 32). CYCLE TO WORK IN A NUTSHELL ■ Your employer signs up for the scheme with a third party provider; ■ You choose your new bike from an approved supplier; ■ Your employer buys this bike and can usually reclaim the VAT; ■ The bike is for your use, but remains the property of your employer. At least 50% of your usage should be for work-related travel. ■ The VAT-free price (providing the employer is VAT-registered) of the bike is repaid via salary sacrifice over an agreed period. You don’t pay tax or National Insurance on the income you forego, so you could make further savings. ■ After the agreed period you will have the option of buying the bike at a ‘fair market price’ (which could be 2.5%-10% of its original cost).
Transport for London
The aim of the Cycle to Work scheme is to provide the opportunity for staff to acquire bikes that may be tax-free via their employer. If the scheme is set up efficiently, it can result in staff taking possession of tax-free bikes. Employers buy bikes then hire the bikes to staff via a salary sacrifice scheme. At the end of an agreed ‘hire’ period, the employee has the option to buy the bike (for an agreed fee) and gain ownership of the machine.
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More than just a sport A stunning new photographic exhibition showcases Flemish cycling as you’ve never seen it before. Lynette Eyb takes a sneak preview of Flandrien
www.stephanvanfleteren.com
ome photographs take hold of you and never quite let you go. Belgian photographer Stephan Vanfleteren’s pictures fit snugly into this category. Over the course of several years, Vanfleteren has chronicled cycling in his country, with an emphasis not just on the sportsmen turning the cogs, but also on supporters and bystanders affected by Belgium’s obsession with cycling. His work is showcased in Flandrien, an exhibition opening in London in June to coincide with the build up to the Tour de France’s arrival. Cycling permeates every level of society in Belgium, and this extends to the region of Flanders, where passion for the bicycle transcends the sport itself. This is reflected in Vanfleteren’s detailed and intimate shots, his work capturing the bicycle as sport, as recreation and as a way of life. Vanfleteren’s shots of the Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders are delicately balanced with and exhibited alongside a selection of images paying homage to a disappearing generation of Flemish cycling heroes, among them Alberic Schotte and Roger de Vlaeminck. Here are men who rode for the love of racing, without sponsorship or support teams. Tough and determined riders, they were admired for their endurance and their ability to thrive in poor weather conditions and on the treacherous roads of Flanders. It is in the tracks of these men that the heroes of today ride. ■ Flandrien runs at Host Gallery (1 Honduras St, EC1, 020 7253 2770) from June 19 to July 31. The gallery is open 10am-6pm Mondays to Fridays, and 11am-4pm on Saturdays. For more on Stephan Vanfleteren, see
Stephan Vanfleteren/Panos Pictures
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Above right: A man and his children have climbed into the scoop of a tractor to get a better view of the Tour of Flanders as it passes their farm Right: Alberic ‘Briek’ Schotte (1919-2004) was widely regarded as the greatest professional Belgian cyclist of his generation. He was never the most stylish of riders, but he had incredible stamina, and his endurance earned him the nickname ‘Iron Briek’. He was world champion in 1948 and 1950 and finished second in the 1948 Tour de France. His speciality was competing in the classic one-day races over the cobbles of northern France and Flanders. He won the Tour of Flanders in 1942 and 1948, the Paris-Tours in 1946 and 1947 and the Paris-Brussels in 1946 and 1952. He died within minutes of the start of the 2004 Tour of Flanders
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Left: Belgian cyclist Peter Van Petegem climbs the Kapelmuur near the end of the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders)
Below: Swiss track cyclist Bruno Risi’s legs photographed at the Zesdaagse (six-day) indoor cycle meeting in the Kuipke velodrome. Risi is one of the most successful six-day racers of all time. Track cycling is hugely popular in Belgium
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Above: Fans watch a cycle race during an annual kemese (fair). Cycling races are often the centrepieces of Flemish fairs
Left: A woman watches the start of a village cycling race during an annual Flemish fair
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Technical
Second-hand solutions You can find a way to recycle most things these days, and bicycles are no exception. Laura Laker says there’s a whole world of cycle-recycling going on out there – you just need to know how to get in on the action The obvious place to start looking for a second-hand bike is at your local bike shop. Call ahead to see if they have any in stock as availability will vary. Expect to pay anything from £40 to £1500, depending on quality, make and model. Anything under £100 is likely to be of poorer quality, and you should ask if the shop services bikes before selling them. Many shops won’t have taken in second-hand bikes at all unless they were brought in on a part-exchange basis, or bought from auctions by the shop itself. Ask the shop if they verify the bike’s history and can guarantee it’s not stolen. Buying stolen bikes supports the trade in stolen goods, and anyone who has ever had a bike stolen knows how upsetting it can be. Even if you’re not worried by the moral implications of buying stolen bikes, bear in mind that if a stolen bike is traced back to you, police could seize it and you would get no compensation. It’s worth noting that markets – particularly Brick Lane market – have a very bad reputation for selling stolen bikes. It’s often hard to spot a stolen bike, but check to see if there is a postcode or other identity marker on the bike, which you can verify with the police. If there is a patch where an identity marker may have been scratched over, this may mean the bike is stolen. Southwark Council is piloting a ‘good trader scheme’, which many Southwark businesses in other sectors have already joined. This is now being extended to the bicycle trade, and certificates are given to those businesses which make checks on frame numbers, ask for the seller’s ID and receipts (where possible), as well as providing MOT-type certificates to customers who purchase reconditioned bikes. xx
In the market for a new bike My bicycle was stolen. I’d just repaired the broken inner tube in time for it to disappear from the garden. Once that sad and angry feeling had subsided, I set about finding a replacement. I liked the idea of buying second-hand to keep down costs and to do a bit of recycling, but on two conditions: 1) I wanted to buy a bike I knew hadn’t been stolen and sold on; 2) I wanted something I knew was going to be good quality and safe. Where to start looking If you are thinking about buying second-hand, there are a few things you need to consider. Making sure that it looks in relatively good condition may sound obvious, but replacement costs for worn or broken parts can soon add up, negating any savings you made in the first place (see checklist, right). It’s important to ensure you get good value for money, even if you aren’t spending a lot.
Ex-hire and auction bikes It is possible to get a bargain from ex-hire outlets. On Your Bike and the London Bicycle Repair Shop (see bike shop listings) are just two shops that sell off well-maintained ex-hire bicycles for half their retail price (sometimes less), and usually at the end of summer. Hire centres often have a high turnover of stock and availability may be sporadic. If you’re feeling more adventurous and think you know exactly what you’re looking for, then you could try spending a day at the auctions. Greasby’s, one of London’s oldest auction houses, sells bikes sourced from the police and private owners. Bike sales take place every other Tuesday (see www.greasbys.co.uk).
SECOND-HAND BIKE CHECKLIST ■ Check that the frame is the right size for you; ■ Check for a bent, dented or cracked frame that may indicate the bike has been in a collision; check for buckled wheels and missing/broken spokes and missing/broken brakes or gears; ■ Check for rust (scratch it to see how deep it is), worn chain and cogs, loose handlebars, a jammed stem or loose headset; ■ See if pedals crunch as they go round (the bottom bracket may need replacing). More advice on buying a bike is at www.lcc.org.uk/info
24 June/July 2007 LONDON CYCLIST
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Technical For more advice on buying a bike, see www.lcc.org.uk/info, where you will also find information on bicycle maintenance
Recycling schemes But it doesn’t have to cost a penny – at Don’t feed the trade in community recycling website www. stolen bikes – do all you freecycle.org, one person’s trash is can to check your new another person’s treasure. The site, second-hand bike is which has 29 local groups across being sold legally and London, encourages people with the permission of to donate unwanted items to people the previous owner who can make use of them. Similarly, www.swapxchangeislington.org has been set up for this purpose. You never know, you may pick up a second-hand bike for free. Waltham Forest borough (www. walthamforest.gov.uk/transport) runs a bike swap scheme funded by Transport for London. It has been hugely popular since its beginnings in 2003, with people donating old bikes (or what remains of them after thieves have had a go at them). Volunteers and trained bicycle mechanics work together to restore the old bikes (if you fancy donating your time, volunteers are welcome every Friday, 10am-4pm). For a minimum donation of £40, residents or those working or studying in the area can take a reconditioned bike home. The second Saturday of the month is LCC drop-in day, when people can pop in and fix their own bikes. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and welcoming. Project coordinator Therese Kilpatrick says these schemes could be more widespread and self-sustaining, with bike sales paying for staff and operation costs. Wandsworth’s Youth Offending Team runs a bike reconditioning project that works to fix up old bikes and pass them onto groups and individuals in the borough who are keen to start cycling. For more details (or to donate a bike), contact Wandsworth Cyclists (see Local news, page 37 for contact details). LCC works with lots of schools across London to help give kids the chance to get cycling on secondhand bikes. If you have an unwanted children’s bike, email sarah@lcc.org.uk to find out how to donate it to a worthy project. A new lease of life Recycling and cycling are both booming – it would be nice to think that unused bicycles gathering dust in sheds and gardens across London could once again feel the wind in their spokes. Old doesn’t necessarily mean redundant, and newer doesn’t necessarily mean better. There are plenty of second-hand bikes out there in need of a new home – you just have to get out there and find them.
BIKE SHOPS SELLING SECONDS Here is a selection of established shops selling second-hand bikes in London EAST LONDON ■ Everything Cycling 530 Forest Rd, E17 (020 8521 5812). Bikes bought as part-exchange only; ownership checked. ■ Barclays For Bikes 515, Kingsland Rd, E8 (020 7241 3131). Second-hand bikes sold occasionally. ■ Ditchfields (792-794 High Rd, E10 (020 8539 2821). Secondhand bikes sold occasionally. ■ Heales Cycles 477 Hale End Rd, E4 (020 8527 1592). Secondhand bikes sold. NORTH LONDON ■ Bike and Run, 125 High Rd, N2 (020 8815 1845). Part-exchange offered; second-hand bikes sold occasionally. ■ Chamberlaines 75-77 Kentish Town Rd, NW1 (020 7485 4488). Part-exchange offered; secondhand bikes sold occasionally. ■ Holloway Cycles, 302-304 Holloway Rd, N7 (020 7700 6611). Part-exchange offered; second-hand bikes sold occasionally. ■ Two Wheels Good 143 Crouch Hill, N8 (020 8340 4284). Partexchange only; second-hand bikes sold occasionally. ■ Two Wheels Good 165 Stoke Newington Church St, N16 (020 7249 2200). Part-exchange only; second-hand bikes sold occasionally. SOUTH LONDON ■ London Bicycle Repair Shop Shop 2-3 Benson House, Hatfields, SE1(020 7928 6898) Sells a limited range of secondhand bikes plus one-off antiques projects (reconditioned); some children’s bikes. ■ London Bicycle Tour Company 1a Gabriels Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, SE1 (020 7928 6838). Sometimes sells off exhire bikes at the end of summer. ■ Pedal It 18 Newington Causeway, SE1 (020 7407 9115). Sells a good selection of second-hand bikes – local LCC group-approved. ■ ReCycling 110 Elephant Rd, SE17 (020 7703 7001). Sells a good selection of second-hand bikes – local LCC groupapproved.
SOUTH-WEST LONDON ■ Dialabike 30 Strutton Ground, SW1 (020 7233 4224). Secondhand bikes bought and sold; ownership checked; three-month warranty on reconditioned cycles. ■ Mike’s Bikes 27 Aberconway Rd, Morden, SM4 (020 8640 1088). Bikes bought from the general public; ownership checked. ■ Psubliminal 17 Balham High Rd, SW12 (020 8772 0707). Second-hand bikes bought and sold; previous ownership not checked. ■ Smith Bros 14 Church Rd, SW19 (020 8946 2270). Sells a good selection of second-hand bikes; local LCC group-approved. SOUTH-EAST LONDON ■ Bigfoot Bikes 50 Hayes St, Bromley, BR2 (020 8462 5004). Part-exchange offered; secondhand bikes sold occasionally. Any for sale will be listed at www.bigfootbikes.com ■ Bromley Bike Company 27 Widmore Rd, Bromley, BR1 (020 8460 4852). Part-exchange offered; second-hand bikes sold occasionally. ■ Edwardes 221-225 Camberwell Rd, SE5 (020 7703 3676). Partexchange offered; second-hand bikes sold. ■ On Your Bike 52-54, Tooley St, SE1 (020 7378 6669). Sells own hire bikes at the end of the season. ■ Sidcup Cycle Centre 142-146, Station Rd, DA15 (020 8300 8113). Part-exchange only on bikes purchased from Sidcup Cycle Centre. ■ Youngs Cycles 20 Kingsway, West Wickham, BR4 (020 8462 8888). Part-exchange; second-hand bikes sold; some second-hand bikes bought; proof of ownership required. This information was correct at time of writing, but please call ahead to confirm. If you know of other reputable shops selling second-hand bikes, please send their details to us at londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk or write to the address on page 3 and we’ll add them to the ‘Buying a bike’ section at www.lcc.org.uk/info
Sustrans, BritainOnView, Lynette Eyb
Other police auctions also take place on a regular basis – ask your local station for details. The Gumtree website (www.gumtree.com) is a good source of local bikes, but the risk of buying stolen property increases dramatically online. Same goes for eBay – always ask the seller for background information and know the market value of the bike you want to buy. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and you’ll be taking home someone else’s (stolen) pride and joy.
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Technical
Minding your manners Nothing beats old-fashioned good manners. David Dansky says cycling etiquette and solid bike skills can combine to make the roads a nicer place for everyone Minimising conflict and managing expectations Etiquette is behaving according to socially accepted rules and norms. Some of these rules are written (the Highway Code) and some are not (thanking a driver who slows down for you). There are advantages to cycling in a manner that is courteous to other road users. Conflict is minimised, and people are more likely to treat each other better if they experience positive interaction and their expectations of others are met. Conflict occurs when expectations are not met. Seeing a cyclist running a red light will anger many road users who expect people to stop at red, thereby raising potential conflict. Flouting an unwritten rule will have a similarly negative effect. There are certain expectations some road users have about cycling which need challenging. Many drivers (and cyclists) expect cyclists to ride near the kerb, or in a cycle lane which runs passed a row of parked cars. Riding here may increase the risk to the cyclist. The cyclist may, therefore, choose to ride away from the kerb, or out of the cycle lane. How a cyclist manages the driver’s expectations in such circumstances may influence whether the driver becomes annoyed or educated. The key here is perspicuity. John Franklin, in his book Cyclecraft (see page 42), highlights the importance of perspicuity, the art of being seen and understood, as opposed to conspicuity, which is just being visible. Wearing a hi-visibility vest may get a rider seen but will do little to communicate much more to a driver. Riding well (assertively), demonstrating good bike control, glancing back regularly, signalling clearly and moving into position early will get a cyclist seen by other road users and help reduce risk and conflict.
CTUK
Other cyclists Seeing and being seen by glancing back is key to good communication. Cycle Training UK’s Cycle Training Instructor’s Manual advises that looking over your right shoulder gives you an idea of what is in the road behind you; however, looking over your left shoulder before moving to the left will help you spot a cyclist undertaking you. It also communicates that you are planning to move left. If you are riding assertively, there may be room on your left which may be a space occupied by a less assertive but faster cyclist. If overtaking another cyclist, give them as much room as if you were overtaking a car (Cyclecraft recommends 1.5m). Check right before moving out and check left when pulling back in front of them. If the cyclist is riding in the middle of a lane, assume they are riding there for a reason. The Highway Code says you should only pass a cyclist on the left if they are signalling a right turn and there is room to do so. People don’t expect to be undertaken on the left. Junctions One vehicle generally moves through a single lane junction at a time. Cyclists should move through
The correct position for a cyclist using an Advanced Stop Line
junctions (whether turning left, right or going straight on) riding in the middle of the lane where they are most visible. If there is a cyclist waiting at a give-way line, wait behind them unless they are signalling to turn and there is enough room for you to move next to them. Advanced Stop Lines (ASL) Consider your position in the green Advanced Stop Line box. Whether you enter the box via the feeder lane on the left (not recommended), or by overtaking the queue on the right, move in front of the first car, leaving room for other cyclists to join you. Aim to stop in a low gear so you will be able to accelerate through the junction quickly. Stay in the middle of the lane until you have enough room to move left, communicating your intentions clearly to other cyclists and drivers. If there is no room in the ASL, it is worth queuing up and taking the space of a car or pushing in behind the first car in the queue, communicating your intention to the driver. Pedestrians There are occasions when you may share space with pedestrians, such as in parks or on canal towpaths. It is no more acceptable behaviour to ring your bell or request people get out of your way than it is for car drivers to do the same to you on the road. Patrick Field of the London School of Cycling wrote on the Hackney-lcc forum mailing list in 2005 that: “The humane thing to do is to moderate your speed to that of the people in front ...The role of the progressive bike rider is to take the consideration of the park out on to the highway, not to bring the cruel and selfish manners ... (from) the highway into motor-free space.” There is enough room on our roads for everyone. The clearer you are about your intentions and the better you are able to see and understand what other people intend, the more pleasant the road environment will be. Learning to ride a bike is a lifelong and fun endeavour. You may wish to take part in some Bikeability training to undo some bad habits and to learn new skills. David Dansky is a nationally accredited instructor with Cycle Training UK (www.cycletraining.co.uk)
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Technical
Workshops
Visit www.lcc.org.uk/info for more on bike maintenance. To list a workshop on this page, please email londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk
Want to know how to maintain your bike? Try a course or workshop
Camden What: Course includes puncture repair, brake tuning, chain repair, tuning gears, cleaning. Two tutors, maximum 12 participants. Details at www.camdencyclists.org.uk Cost: For all three sessions £45 When: Bookings now open for courses in September At: Velorution, 18 Great Titchfield St, W1W 8BD Contact: Stefano Casalotti (stefano@lamsam-casalotti.org.uk, 020 7435 0196) Central London What: One-day courses, basic and intermediate at weekends; one-toone, or group bespoke sessions; bike assessment and adjustment; puncture masterclasses Cost: £60/one-day course, £27.50/ hour for bespoke tuition; £100 for assessment and adjustment; £20 for punctures. When: Basic: April 21, 22, May 19; Intermediate: May 20; Bike assessment (ask for details); Puncture masterclasses: every second Wednesday; 6pm-8pm. At: CTUK training room
Discounts: 5% for LCC members Contact: CTUK (020 7231 6005, info@cycletraining.co.uk) www.cycletraining.co.uk What: Regular courses (maximum four participants). You work on your own bike. No mechanical knowledge is assumed. Topics covered include: cleaning and lubrication, machine inspection and safety checks, tyres, tubes and punctures, adjusting brakes/gears. Six hours’ tuition Cost: £58 (£52 for LCC members) When: Saturdays 10.30am-5pm At: Bikefix, 48 Lamb’s Conduit Street Contact: Patrick Field (020 7249 3779, www.londonschoolofcycling.co.uk) Greenwich What: Year-round maintenance classes comprising classes for all levels and including advice on tyres and punctures, brakes, gears, hubs, etc. Bring your own bike, along with any parts you want to fit eg brake cables or pads, racks, etc. Cost: Call for details When: Call for details At: Armada Centre, Armada Court, 21 McMillan Street, SE8. Contact: Julian Dobson (07771 692 344, 020 8463 0801 julian@jadobson.demon.co.uk) www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk Hackney What: Evening workshop Cost: Free. Donations appreciated When: First and third Tuesdays of each month, 7pm-9pm At: The Kings Centre, Frampton Park Baptist Church, Frampton Park Rd Contact: Adam (07940 121 513, adamt@constructionplus.net) Paul (paul.standeven@virgin.net) Ross (rosscorben@blueyonder.co.uk) www.hackney-cyclists.org.uk/ workshop.htm Islington What: 2.5-hour, self-help cycle maintenance workshop Cost: £1 (50p unwaged) When: Fourth Wednesday of month (not August/December); 7pm-9.30pm At: Sunnyside Gardens, at the corner of Sunnyside Road and Hazellville Road, N19 (off Hornsey Rise) Contact: Adrian (07810 211 902) What: One-day cycle maintenance workshops covering adjusting, cleaning and lubricating bike; punctures; brake blocks; and gears Cost: £20 (£12.50)
Hackney’s evening workshops on the first and third Tuesday of each month are a perfect introduction to bike maintenance When: 10am-4pm Saturday, June 30 and Saturday, July 28 At: Freightliners Farm, Sheringham Rd, N7 Contact: Jonathan Edwards (020 7704 1884). Regret no email Kingston What: Two options introducing maintenance and first aid‚ repairs to help people keep their bikes in good working order, safe and easy to ride Cost: Six sessions are £40 or a oneday session is £22 When: The six-session option starts Monday, June 4 and runs 7pm-9pm. Call for one-day options At: North Kingston Centre, Richmond Road Contact: Kingston council (adult. education@rbk.kingston.gov.uk) or Rob (020 8546 8865, mail@kingstoncycling.org.uk) Redbridge What: Three-week courses covering: puncture repair; fitting brake blocks; gear adjustment; general check (pedals, spokes, bearings, brakes, headset and bottom bracket) Cost: £15 per course When: Most likely July 4, 11 and 18, but please call to confirm At: Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead, E11 Contact: Terry (07795 981 529, terence.hughes@btinternet.com) or Chris (020 8989 9001, christopher.rigby1@ntlworld.com) www.redbridgelcc.org.uk Southwark What: Three-week course including: puncture repair; cables, brakes; chains; trueing wheels. Maximum eight students to two mechanics Cost: £36 per course When: Tuesdays 7pm-9pm
(please telephone for dates) At: On Your Bike, 52-54 Tooley Street, SE1 Contact: Barry (07905 889 005) Sutton What: Twice-yearly basic class and Dr Bike (free cycle safety check). Cost: £5 per person per class, reductions for families When: Phone for detaiils. Contact: Chris (020 8647 3584, cyclism@blueyonder.co.uk) or Shirley (020 8642 3720) Tower Hamlets What: Hands-on workshops. Tools, demos; bring your own spares Cost: Free. Donations welcome! When: Last Saturday of the month (except December) Time: 11am-3pm At: The Boxing Club, Limehouse Town Hall, 646 Commercial Road E14 Contact: Owen Pearson (07903 018 970, workshop@wheelers.org.uk) www.wheelers.org.uk/workshop
Waltham Forest What: Workshops where you can maintain or assemble a bike Cost: A voluntary donation of £3 is requested to cover expenses. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided When: Each Saturday 10am-3pm for maintenance; first Saturday of each month sees recycled bikes for sale 1pm-3pm. On Fridays and Saturdays (10am-3pm), volunteers are welcome to help recondition bikes At: Council Transport Depot, Low Hall Manor, South Access Road, Walthamstow, E17. Please stop at security for directions within the site Contact: Christopher Rigby (christopher.rigby1@ntlworld.com) or the workshop (07948 060 473)
Adam Thompson, Rosie Downes
Bromley What: Bigfoot Bikes workshops include hands-on sessions. Suitable for beginners. Bring your bike but clean it first! Booking is essential. There are two courses: The Basics (pre-ride safety checks, fixing punctures, cleaning and lubricating a bike, etc). Brakes and Gears (tuning up gears, tightening and adjusting brakes, changing cables, replacing brake pads). NB Disc brakes are not covered but a session may be organised if there is demand Cost: £20 – includes a maintenance pack worth at least £9. When: Call for details At: Hayes Old Church Schools Contact: Bike Foot Bikes (020 8462 5004, roger@bigfootbikes.com) www.bigfootbikes.com
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Product reviews Shoes If you’re cycling around town in trainers, you’re missing a trick. Mel Allwood tests cycle-specific shoes designed to put power into your pedalling Specialized Sonoma 2 £49.99, Specialized UK, www.specialized.com
Adidas Minnret shoes £49.99, Chicken & Sons www.chickencycles.co.uk and www.adidas.com/uk Adidas Minnret shoes are designed for use around town. The upper is a combination of mesh and suede, and the black or grey colour scheme is simple, unobtrusive and subtly urban. The best thing about them is that they look similar to a pair of trainers. If you don’t want to wander around in shoes that tell the world you’re a cyclist, this is a pair to consider. I would have preferred one less Adidas logo – there’s one on the heel, which is fairly discreet, but having one on the side of the toe and one on the tongue seems excessive. On the other hand, the reflective strip on the heel is well-placed to show up in headlights. The shoes feel comfortable. There’s a fair amount of padding and the heel comes up high, so my ankle felt supported. Laces, rather than Velcro, mean you can get the fitting just right. They’re built more like a trainer than a cycling shoe, with enough rubber on the heel to allow you to walk comfortably. The soles are not as stiff as the Shimano and Specialized shoes we tested. Although this means they’re not as effective at
Specialized has made a few versions of this Sonoma shoe, with the design evolving over the years. It comes in men’s and women’s versions. The main body is almost entirely mesh, which means your feet stay wonderfully cool in warm weather. Unfortunately, if it rains you quickly get wet. I combine these shoes with waterproof socks if the weather looks like it will be bad. The soles are smooth and made of highly grippy rubber. The cleats don’t stick out the bottom, so I had no trouble walking on slippery floors. However, they’re not ideal shoes if you plan to use toe clips, since the Velcro closure gets tangled in the clip. But Sonomas are great if you use simple flat pedals - the grippy soles are an advantage – or if you use clipless pedals (SPDs). I liked the Velcro closure, which meant I could pull the shoes on and off quickly. I would have liked a reflective strip on the back of the women’s version, though – the men’s version has shiny tabs at both the heel and toe. I’m a big fan of Specialized shoes. The company takes care to design shoes that fit real people’s feet. It has come up with something it calls ‘body geometry’, which seems to have some substance to it. For instance, Specialized’s ‘body geometry’ shoes, which include Sonomas, have a raised part in the centre of the sole that sits neatly under the arch of your foot. It works for me – supporting my feet as I pedal. I can wear a pair of Conclusion Sonomas all day without Sonomas are comfortable getting sore feet. Another and sufficiently stiff for example of Specialized’s powerful pedalling. The ‘body geometry’ design is grippy sole is a plus the way its women’s shoes point. The mesh body is have narrower heels and perfect for hot days, but smaller holes for the ankle. you’ll need waterproof This avoids the problem socks for winter. Not I’ve encountered with other ideal for cyclists who makes, where I pull up hard use toe clips, but fine for on the pedals and end up everyone else. yanking my foot out of the shoe.
Shimano MT20 £39.95, Madison, www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk and www.cycle.shimano-eu.com. Shimano makes a huge range of cycle shoes, for everything from BMX to professional racing to touring. These shoes come under Shimano’s ‘leisure’ shoe range. They’re a lace-up shoe, with some mesh in the upper and a medium-tread sole. These MT20s are the stiffest of the three pairs of shoes we tested, even in larger sizes. The sole is made of a very solid plastic plate, and as a result they easily transfer power from legs to pedals. The sole is curved slightly from front to back, so you can still walk reasonable distances in them, despite the fact that the soles don’t really bend. My tester, Ben, walked a punctured bike home and didn’t get sore feet. Ben loved the rigidity of the shoes when cycling, and found them very comfortable. His biggest complaint was that the styling is ‘dull’, but if your goal is to get away without changing out of your cycle shoes when you get to work, surely this is an advantage. As well as being available in ‘boring’ grey, there is also ‘unexciting’ beige. You’ll easily get away with wearing these to the pub, although if you’re trying to pull off a smart outfit, they’ll let you down. These shoes are equally well equipped for clipless pedals and toe clips. Shimano makes the vast majority of clipless
Tips for buying shoes ■ Cycle shoes are most efficient if the sole is very stiff because this guarantees that the power from your legs is transferred efficiently to the pedals. But it’s easier to walk in shoes that have some flexibility in the sole. Choose accordingly: if you change out of your cycle shoes on arrival, go for something with a stiffer sole. ■ Shoes designed for running are what you shouldn’t wear on a bike. Their soles are flexible, so a lot of the power from your legs won’t reach your pedals – it will be lost. And you’ll quickly wear them out, making them useless for running.
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Product reviews
WIN A MINI PUMP!
transferring power to your pedals, the extra flexibility in the sole means they’re comfortable to wear off the bike. The Minnret’s have fittings for cleats, so are compatible with SPD pedals. The sole is substantial around the cleat, so when you’re walking, the cleat is recessed. Off the bike, this stops you clattering about as you walk and allows the sole to grip surfaces. The shoe’s front is cleanly designed, so you can use these shoes with toe clips without the clips getting snagged as you move your feet in and out. But it seems odd to opt for suede for the front of the shoe – it didn’t take long for toe clips to scuff the suede.
Conclusion
Conclusion Very stiff soles mean these shoes make for powerful cycling. Unobtrusive styling. Suitable for both toe clips and SPD pedals. Great value for money.
■ Cycle shoes need to fit snugly. If your feet move around inside the shoe, you’ll get blisters. ■ A reflective on the back of the heel of a cycle shoe is a highly effective visibility aid. Nighttime drivers see them bobbing up and down. ■ If you use toe clips, choose a shoe with clean, smooth lines around the toe. Bulky straps or ridges will make it harder to get in and out of the clips.
■ If you use clipless pedals, often known as SPDs, make sure the sole is deep enough so the cleat doesn’t protrude. If it does protrude you’ll make a metallic, clicking noise when you walk and the shoes won’t grip well, making you liable to slip if you walk in them. ■ If you cycle in the rain, get a front mudguard. Otherwise, your shoes will get soaked with water thrown up from the road by your front tyre.
summer 2007 range out now | new designs | new styles
pedals on the market, so it’s no surprise that the MT20’s cleat fitting is deeply recessed – no tapping or slipping when you’re a pedestrian. Shimano has also thought through the toe clip option, and the front of the MT20s is reinforced with a rubbery patch so that clips won’t wear away at the toes. Also, the laces start far enough up the shoe that they don’t get tangled in the clips. There is very little in the way of logos, but there’s a welcome reflective tab on the back of the heel and a loop to pull them on. One advantage of Shimano’s sizeable market share in cycle footwear is the range of sizes available – sizes 36 to 48.
LC has one Micro Maxair pump by Truflo to give away. Truflo makes a range of pumps, in various sizes (www.truflo. com), with the Micro Maxair perfect for tucking away in your pannier or attaching to your bike frame (fitting kit provided) for emergency roadside action. Or put the Micro Maxair in your drawer at work. The light alloy and resin construction makes it a more durable pump than many plasticbody minis on the market. Standard retail price is £9.95, with UK distribution looked after by Madison (www. ultimatepursuits.com). To enter our prize draw, please send either a postcard to LCC (see address on page 3) or send an email to us at londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk by June 30, 2007. Please mark your entry Truflo pump prize draw and remember to include your full name, postal address and telephone number.
.foska.com
A good option if you’re looking for a shoe for commuting and around the office, as they’re comfortable off the bike. Attractive, casual styling, although the suede toes scuff easily.
WIN!
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Classic Roller Panniers Tough, simple & reliable - these are the qualities you need when you’re away from ‘civilisation’. Ortlieb Classic roller panniers will be with you all the way. 100% WATERPROOF Quick release QL1 mounting system Removable shoulder strap High vis safety reflector
Selected Stockists
Super durable laminated polyester fabric
Bike Fix
0207 405 1218
WC1N www.bikefix.co.uk
Roberts Cycles
0208 684 3370
Condor Cycles Ltd
0207 269 6820
WC1X www.condorcycles.com
Mosquito Bikes
0207 226 8765
N1
Bonthrone Bikes
0207 731 5005
SW6
Simpson Cycles
0207 485 1706
NW5
www.simpsoncycles.co.uk
H Cycles Ltd
0207 700 6611
N7
Compton Cycles
0208 690 0141
SE6
www.comptoncycles.co.uk
South Bank Bicycles
0207 622 3069
SW8
Bike Plus
0208 763 1991
Croydon
www.bikeplus.co.uk
Bicycle Magic
0207 375 2993
E1
www.bicyclemagic.com
London Fields Cycles
0208 525 0077
E8
www.londonfieldscycles.co.uk
www.cycleasylum.co.uk
Evans Cycles Canary Wharf, Clerkenwell, Croydon, Fenchurch Street, Fulham, Holborn, Kingston, London Bridge, Spitalfields, St Paul’s, Victoria, Wandsworth, Waterloo Cut, Waterloo Road and West End 0870 165 1100 www.evanscycles.com
w
Cycle Asylum
0208 478 2540
E12
Herne Hill Bicycles
0208 671 6900
SE24
Brixton Cycles Co-Op
0207 733 6055
SW9
www.brixtoncycles.co.uk
Moose Cycles
0208 544 9166
SW19
www.moosecycles.com
Cycle Care - Kensington
0207 460 0495
The Cycle Centre London Ltd 0207 631 5060
W8 W1W
Ortlieb products are distributed in the UK and Ireland by Lyon Equipment Limited, Dent, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5QL T: 015396 25493 F: 015396 25454 E: info@lyon.co.uk www.lyon.co.uk
7516-Ortlieb ad.indd 1 p30.indd 30
Croydon www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk
The Cycle Surgery Holburn, Camden, Highbury, Selfridges, Spitafields, Spitafields Market and West Hampstead 0800 298 8898 www.cyclesurgery.com
Please contact Lyon Equipment for a copy of the latest catalogue
9/1/07 2:02:41 pm 8/5/07 16:31:16
Product reviews Base layers A lot of base layers are designed with cold weather sports in mind. Mel Allwood discovers they also make ideal summer wear for urban cyclists Ground Effect Ristretto approx £17 (NZ$52) +64 3 379 9174, www.groundeffect.co.nz
Howies NBLs £40-50, Howies 01239 61 41 22, www.howies.co.uk NBL stands for ‘natural base layers’, and Howies means it when it uses the term natural: this top is made from 100% merino wool. If you’re worried that wool = itchy, rest easy. Merino wool is one of the softest fabrics around and ideal for wearing next to the skin. We tested short and long sleeved versions made from Howies’ slightly heavier weight merino fabric. Both are also available in a lighter weight merino. There are also women’s NBL merino vests. The reason why merino is increasingly used for base layers is down to wool’s excellent ‘wicking’ properties - it wicks moisture away quickly, so you don’t feel clammy. This helps keep you warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s warm. Howies’ NBLs do take longer to dry than synthetic fabric tops, but they don’t get nearly as smelly, so it all evens out in the end. Howies NBLs fit quite closely, but Conclusion aren’t skintight. On the long-sleeved £40-50 is a lot for a top, version the sleeves are long, as is but these are 100% the back, so wrists are protected merino, ideal for yearwhile you’re on the bike and you round wear and should can tuck the top into whatever else last for ages. They’re you’re wearing. The NBLs are plenty also good looking stretchy, and don’t seem to have enough to wear to the lost their shape at all, despite a lot park or pub. of wear and washing.
Like the Helly Hansen base layer, this Ground Effect vest consists of two layers, but this one has the merino wool next to the skin, to wick away sweat. The synthetic outer layer provides extra warmth and also acts as a shell to protect the wool if you’re wearing the top on its own. I absolutely loved the Ristretto. It sits snug to the skin, wicks moisture away very effectively when you’re working hard but doesn’t suffocate you when you slow down. It’s sleeveless, so fits easily under whatever other layers you’ve got over it. All panels are flat stitched, so nothing chafes. This spring I’ve been wearing it on the journey to work, on its own with a jacket on top. I’ve felt toasty as soon as I’ve started pedalling. I spent several days trying to work out which way on it goes, because there are labels both inside and out. The wool layer seems to be the inner one, but I can confirm it works fine both ways around. Ground Effect is a New Conclusion Zealand company. I’d normally be shy of advocating Fantastic value for money. The rugged outer that LC readers order layer means the vest still something from so far away, looks spotless despite all but merino sheep live in New the abuse it’s been given. Zealand and parcels arrive The merino inner layer is swiftly. My order took about soft and warm. ten days to arrive.
Helly Hansen Ice Crew £40, men’s & women’s versions are same price, www.hellyhansen.co.uk Helly Hansen’s Ice Crew is a long-sleeved base layer with a round neck. It’s one of a complex range of base layers produced by Helly Hansen, which are graded according to the warmth they provide and their wicking properties. The Ice Crew is made of two fibres. The inner layer is a synthetic fabric that Helly Hansen has dubbed LIFA T3. This stands for ‘thermal tubic technology’. This fabric consists of lots of hollow tubes, which draw moisture away from the skin. The outer layer of merino wool provides added warmth. The Ice Crew fits well, with long arms and a long back. It wicks away moisture effectively, keeping skin dry. It’s comfortable enough so you shouldn’t feel the need to take it off as soon as you dismount, however the cut is decidedly figure-hugging and some people may
not feel comfortable wearing it off the bike. Our tester generally liked this shirt and said she arrived at work feeling fresh rather than clammy. It dries quickly, so when you put it on at the end of the day for your journey home it shouldn’t feel damp. However, the baby blue colour (and ‘silky’ white cuffs) wasn’t popular with our tester. Luckily, there are other colours on offer, including black (both sexes), dark blue or tangerine/red (for Conclusion men) and white Price seems a bit steep or hot pink (for for a base layer that women). Visibility isn’t 100% merino wool. stripes up the But a good choice for arms are properly speedy cyclists confident positioned to enough to wear a figure capture drivers’ hugging top. attention.
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You can contact the membership team on 020 7234 9310 or email membership@lcc.org.uk
LCC members’ pages
This page has all you need to know to get the most out of your LCC membership LCC’S VISION LCC’s vision is to make London a world class cycling city
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP LCC is a campaigning charity mainly funded by your membership. We work to improve conditions for cyclists and to promote cycling throughout London.
INSURANCE & LEGAL Third party insurance If you cause damage to a person or their property while cycling, they may make a claim against you. As a member of the LCC, you are covered for up to £2 million. If such an incident occurs, phone the LCC office for immediate advice and assistance.
Free legal advice
STRATEGIC AIMS ■ To involve people from all communities in cycling ■ To improve the quality of life in London by increasing cycling ■ To bring about the best possible services for people who cycle or want to cycle in London ■ To be leaders in urban cycling
CONTACT LCC 2 Newhams Row London SE1 3UZ t: 020 7234 9310 f: 020 7234 9319 e: hello@lcc.org.uk w: www.lcc.org.uk
Theft insurance LCC Cyclecover theft insurance also comes with free personal accident cover for LCC members. Theft insurance costs about 10% of the value of your bike and is a ‘new for old’ policy. For an instant quote, please call 0870 873 0067 and have your LCC membership number to hand.
INFORMATION & CAMPAIGNING Local groups LCC has a local group in every borough, plus the City of London. These groups campaign on local
HOW TO HELP LCC GROW Ask a friend to join
Contact the LCC Board: chair@lcc.org.uk
You can help boost our work by recruiting members to LCC. The more members we have, the greater our campaigning voice. Simply ask your friend or colleague to visit www.lcc.org.uk/join to join online or ask them to call 020 7234 9310 to join over the phone.
Registered charity number: 1115789
cycling issues, and also organise events, meetings, workshops and social rides. See page 34 to find out what your local group is up to.
Tell your boss about us
www.lcc.org.u k
Free legal advice is a member benefit. If you need any legal assistance on cycling-related issues, please phone the LCC office and we will put you in touch with a cyclist-friendly solicitor.
London Cyclist free of charge (see page 37). Send your short, concise ad to londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk or to the LCC (address left). Ads from businesses are not accepted.
June/July 2007
£2/free to membe rs
Celebrate cycl
ing
Bike Week 2007
Maps LCC, in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), has produced free cycle maps covering all of London. These can be ordered via www.lcc.org.uk or by phoning TfL on 020 7222 1234.
PLUS! Etiquette on the road Shoes made for riding Brighton on two wheels
Centre stage The Tour de Fran comes to Lon ce don
Paul Smith
My bike & I
Bargain buys
Second-hand bicycles
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NEW S
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ZOE WILL IAMS
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JOSI E DEW
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RIDE S & EVEN TS
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LCC has several schemes to help encourage employers to make riding to work easier. See www.lcc. org.uk/consultancy or call our office and ask for information on our corporate affiliates programme.
Volunteer your time Our small office in central London relies on volunteers for its membership administration and campaigning. If you have some spare time, we could use your help! Phone the office for details.
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London Cyclist magazine This magazine is sent to members every two months. It is packed with news, features, cycling tips, products news and the latest on our campaigns. It has been voted the number one member benefit.
Who needs eBay? Members who have bikes or accessories to sell can advertise in
How to join LCC If you like what you see in London Cyclist but you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join the campaign to receive the magazine delivered to your door every two months. Members also receive the great package of other benefits listed on this page. You can join by calling 020 7234 9310 or via www.lcc.org.uk/join.
Member discounts Anyone who joins LCC can cash in on a range of ongoing benefits open only to members. They include:
who care about the environment. For further details, phone the ETA on 0800 212 810 or see www.eta.co.uk. You will need to quote your LCC membership number and reference 1061-9001.
Bike shops Maintenance Cycle Training UK (CTUK) offers LCC members a 5% discount on bike maintenance training. You can call CTUK on 020 7582 3535.
Breakdown cover LCC members get a 50% discount on membership of the Environmental Transport Association (ETA). ETA is a breakdown service for transport users
LCC members also get discounts on bikes, accessories and servicing at the follwowing bike shops in the capital. Remember to show your membership card before you make a purchase or book your service. MAIL ORDER / ONLINE Cotswold Outdoor Quote ref 2115 at www.cotswoldoutdoor.com ♣ Loads Better Mail order only. Suppliers
of xtracycle and Kronan bikes (0845 8682459) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-5 Old Bicycle Trading Co Mail order only. Hub gears new and vintage parts (020 8306 0060) ● ✔ www.oldbiketrader.co.uk Outdoor Indoor Ltd Mail order clothing supplier. ● ✔ www.outdoorindoor.co.uk CENTRAL Action Bikes Dacre House 19 Dacre St SW1 (020 7799 2233) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 9.30-5.30 Action Bikes 23-26 Embankment Place Northumberland Avenue WC2 (020 7930 2525) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8 Bikefix 48 Lambs Conduit St WC1 (020 7405 1218) ● ➔ Mon-Fri 8.30-7 Sat 10-5 Condor Ltd 51 Grays Inn Rd WC1
(020 7269 6820) ● ✔ Mon-Tues Thurs-Fri 9-6 Weds 9-7.30 Sat 10-5 Cavendish Cycles 136 New Cavendish St W1 (020 7631 5060) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-5 Cotswold Outdoor 23/26 Piccadilly W1 (020 7437 7399) ♣ (quote ref L2115 and show card) Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat, 10-6 Sun 11-5 CycleSurgery 3 Procter St Holborn WC1 (020 7269 7070) ▲ ✔ Mon/Weds/Fri 8.306 Tues/Thurs 8.30-7 Sat 10-5 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles 51-52 Rathbone Pl W1 (020 7580 4107) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9-6 Sun 11-4 Evans Cycles 69 Grays Inn Rd WC1 (020 7430 1985) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Tues closed 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 12-5
32 June/July 2007 LONDON CYCLIST
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LCC members’ pages Many of these shops have email and websites. For details see www.lcc.org.uk
Evans Cycles 178 High Holborn WC1 (020 7836 5585) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Tues closed 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-4 Fluid Cycles Mobile repairs and servicing in Underground zone 1 and Docklands (020 7021 0742) ● ✔ (on servicing and repairs) Mon-Fri 8.30-6 Weekends by arrangement Re-rolling Mobile puncture repair service within central London (Cycle Guide no. 10) but may travel further (07715 711150) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 7.30am-7pm Velorution 18 Great Titchfield St W1 (020 7637 4004) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8- 6.30pm Sat 10-6pm Also sells secondhand bikes EAST Bicycle Magic 4-6 Greatorex St E1 (020 7375 2993) ■ ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-5 Bike Shack 621 High Rd, Leyton E10 (020 8539 5533) ● ✔ Mon-Sat 9-5 Wed & Thurs 9-6 Brick Lane Bikes 118 Bethnal Green Rd E2 (020 7033 9053) ■ ✔ Mon-Fri 9-7 Sat-Sun 11-6 Chainlink Cycle Centre 140 Hornchurch Rd Hornchurch RM11 (01708 470 007) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Cotswold Outdoor Ground floor, St Clements House, Leyden St E1 (020 7655 466) ♣ (quote ref L2115 and show card) Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5 Cycle Asylum 700 Romford Rd E12 (020 8478 2540) ■ ✔ Incl servicing. Mon/Tues/ Fri-Sat 10-6 (Closed Weds/Thurs & Sun) CycleSurgery Brody House Strype St E1 (020 7375 3088) ▲ ✔ Mon/Weds/Fri 8.306 Tues/Thurs 8.30-7 Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4 CycleSurgery 12-13 Bishops Sq, E1 (020 7392 8920) ▲ ✔ (excludes Marin bikes. Full SRP items only. Excludes Selfridges concession.) Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-6 Ditchfields 792/794 High Rd Leyton E10 (020 8539 2821) ● ✔ (everything over £10) Mon-Sat 9.15-5.30 Evans Cycles The Cavern 1 Market St (Off Brushfield St) E1 (020 7426 0391) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 12-6 Evans Cycles 1 Farringdon St EC4 (020 7248 2349) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 18-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles Cullum St EC3 (020 7283 6750) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Closed Mon 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 12-5 Evans Cycles Unit B, Reuters Building, 30 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf E14 (0870 164 4037) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 9.30-6 Sun 12-6 Fluid Cycles Docklands See ‘Central’ Heales Cycles 477 Hale End Rd Highams Park E4 (020 8527 1592) ■ ➔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5.30 London Fields Cycles 281 Mare St E8 (020 8525 0077) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-6 Sat 10-6 S & S Cycles 65 Woodgrange Rd E7 (020 8503 1000) ● ✔Mon-Sat 10-5.30 Wharf Cycles Unit B6, Lanterns Court, Millharbour E14 (020 7987 2255) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-7 Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 NORTH Action Bikes 64 Ballards Lane N3 (020 8346 2046) ▲ ✔ Discount also on servicing Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Bike and Run 125 High Rd N2 (020 8815 1845) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9.30-5.30 Bike Mech The Castle Climbing Centre Green Lanes N4 (07762 270 616) 10% discount on servicing only Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat 10-5 Bikes R Us Mobile cycle repairs
throughout north London (020 8882 8288 – workshop, 07949 066 889 – van) ● ✔ on servicing and most repairs Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 CycleSurgery 70 Holloway Rd N7 (020 7697 2848) ▲ ✔ Mon 9-6 Tues 9-7 Weds 8.30-6 Thurs 9-7 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5 Cycle Store (The) 201 Woodhouse Rd Friern Barnet N12 (020 8368 3001) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 (Closed Weds) Sat 9-5 Sun 11-3 Holloway Cycles 302/304 Holloway Rd N7 (020 7700 6611) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8.306.30 Sat 9-6 Sun 11-5. Mosquito Bikes 123 Essex Rd N1 (020 7226 8841/020 7226 8765) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8.30-7 Sat 10-6 Sun (summer only) 11-4 S & S Cycles 29 Chapel Market N1 (020 7278 1631) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 10-5.30 Sun 10-2.30 Shorter Rochford 27 Barnet Rd Potters Bar EN6 (01707 662 332) ▲ ✔ on RRP Mon-Fri 9-6 (Closed Weds) Sat 9-5 Shorter Rochford 65-67 Woodhouse Rd N12 (020 8445 9182) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6 (Weds 9-7) (Closed Thurs) Two Wheels Good 165 Stoke Newington Church St N16 (020 7249 2200) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 8.30-6 Sun 11-5 Two Wheels Good 143 Crouch Hill N8 (020 8340 4284) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 8.30-6 NORTH-WEST Broadway Bikes 250 West Hendon Bwy NW9 (020 8931 3925) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 Sun 11-1 Chamberlaines 75-77 Kentish Town Rd NW1 (020 7485 4488) ■ ✔ Includes shop discount Mon-Sat 8.30-6 Cycle King 451-455 Rayners Ln Pinner HA5 (020 8868 6262) ■ ♣ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 9-4.30 Cycle King 173 Hillside Stonebridge NW10 (020 8965 5544) ■ ♣ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-5 CycleSurgery 44 Chalk Farm Rd NW1 (020 7485 1000) ▲ (except Marins) ✔ Mon/Weds/Fri 9-6 Tues/Thurs 9-7 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5 CycleSurgery Hampstead 275 West End Lane NW6 (020 7431 4300) ▲ ✔ Mon/ Weds/Fri 9-6 Tues/Thurs 9-7 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5 Cyclopedia 262 Kensington High St W8 (020 7603 7626) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 9.30-6 Sun 10.30-5 Evans Cycles 250 Watford Way NW4 (0870 142 0108) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8, Sat 9.30-6, Sun 11-5 Simpson’s Cycles 114-116 Malden Rd NW5 (020 7485 1706) ▲ ✔ (Birdys ■) Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5.30 Sparks 5 Bank Buildings, High St NW10 (020 8838 5858) ● ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-6 SOUTH Bikes Plus 429 Brighton Rd Croydon CR2 (020 8763 1988) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Cycle King 26-40 Brighton Rd Croydon CR2 (020 8649 9002) ■ ♣ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 9-4.30 Evans Cycles 5 London Rd Croydon CR0 (020 8667 1423) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing MonFri 9-6 Thurs 9-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5
Parade Blackfen Rd Sidcup DA15 (020 8303 3761) ▲ ✔ (Incl labour) Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5.30 Sun 10-3 Bromley Bike Company 27 Widmore Rd Bromley BR1 (020 8460 4852) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 Thurs 9-8 Comptoncycles.co.uk 23-25 Catford Hill Catford SE6 (020 8690 0141) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5 Edwardes 221-225 Camberwell Rd SE5 (020 7703 3676) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 8.30-6 Evans Cycles 111-115 Waterloo Rd SE1 (020 7928 2208) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 10-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles 77-81 The Cut SE1 (020 7928 4785) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing MonFri 8-8 (Closed Weds 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles 6 Tooley St SE1 (020 7403 4610) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing. Mon-Fri 8-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 Herne Hill Bicycles 83 Norwood Rd SE24 (020 8671 6900) ● ➔ Tues-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-5 (Closed Sun & Mon) London Recumbents Rangers Yard Dulwich Park College SE21 (8299 6636) ● ✔ Variable discount on bike hire. Mon-Sun 10-6 On Your Bike 52-54 Tooley St SE1 (020 7378 6669) ▲ ✔ Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 Also has bike hire ReCycling (Only sells catalogue returns, renovated and second-hand bikes) 110 Elephant Rd SE17 (020 7703 7001) ▲ ✖ Mon-Fri 10-7 Sat 9-6 Sun 11-5 Robinsons Cycles 172 Jamaica Rd SE16 (020 7237 4679) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-6 Thurs 9.30-2 Sidcup Cycle Centre 142-146 Station Rd Sidcup DA15 (020 8300 8113) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-5.30 Thurs 9-7 Sat 9-5 Park Tools school Wilsons 32 Peckham High St SE15 (020 020 7639 1338) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 10-5 Witcomb Cycles (Frame-builder and repairs) 25 Tanners Hill Deptford SE8 (020 8692 1734) ■ ✔ (Mon closed) Tues, Weds, Fri 9.30-5 Thurs, Sat 9.30-4 Xadventure Bikes 25-29 Perry Vale Forest Hill SE23 (020 8699 6768) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 SOUTH-WEST A W Cycles 23 Abbey Parade, Merton High St SW19 (020 8542 2534) Mon- Fri 8.30-6 Sat 8.30-5 Closed Wed & Sun ▲ ➔ Brixton Cycles 145 Stockwell Rd SW9 (020 7733 6055) ● ✔ Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat 9-6 Thurs 9-7 Cowley Security Locksmiths (Locks and key cutting) 146 Colne Rd Twickenham TW2 (020 8894 1212) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-5 Cycle City 57 Approach Rd Raynes Pk SW20 (020 8542 4076) ■ ➔ Mon-Fri 8.306 Sat 8.30-5 Closed Sun Cyclopedia 256 Fulham Rd SW10 (020 7351 5776) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 9.30-6 Sun 10.30-5 Dialabike 30 Strutton Ground SW1 (020 7233 4224) ■ ✔ Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30 Evans Cycles 13-15 Jerdan Pl (off Fulham Bwy) SW6 (020 7384 5550) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
(Closed Mon 11-12) Sat 9.30am-6pm Sun 11am-5pm Evans Cycles 320-320b Vauxhall Bridge Rd SW1 (020 7976 6298) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Closed Tues 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles 48 Richmond Rd Kingston KT2 (020 8549 2559) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 9-6 Thurs 9-8 (Closed Thurs 1112) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 10-4 Evans Cycles 167-173 Wandsworth High St SW18 (020 8877 1878) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 10-4 London Recumbents Staff Yard Battersea Park SW11 (020 7498 6543) ● ✔ off hire only. Open weekends and school holidays Luciano Cycles 97-99 Battersea Rise SW11 (020 7228 4279) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 95.30 Sun 10-3.30 Mike’s Bikes 27 Aberconway Rd Morden SM4 (020 8640 1088) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 8-5.30 Sat 9-4 Moose Cycles 48 High St Colliers Wood SW19 (020 8544 9166) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9.30-7 Pitfield Cycles 137 Kingston Rd New Malden KT3 (020 8949 4632) ■ ➔ Mon-Sat 9-5.30 Psubliminal 17 Balham High St, SW12 (020 8772 0707) 5% discount on servicing. Tues-Fri 9-6.30 Thurs 9-7 Sat 9-5.30 Siecle 789 Wandsworth Rd SW8 (020 7978 2345) ❋ ✖ (applies only to bikes) Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30 Sat 10-4 Smith Brothers 14 Church Rd SW19 (020 8946 2270) ▲ Also offers bike hire services Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 South Bank Cycles 194 Wandsworth Rd SW8 (020 7622 3069) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Stratton Cycles Ltd 101 East Hill SW18 (020 8874 1381) ● ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Triandrun 53 Wimbledon Hill Rd, SW19 (020 8500 4841) ▲ ✔ Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10-6, Sat 9-6 Closed Wed & Sun WEST Action Bikes 101 Uxbridge Rd W12 (020 8743 5265) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Action Bikes 176 Chiswick High Rd W4 (020 8994 1485) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Bikewise 61 Swakeleys Rd Ickenham Middx UB10 (01895 675376) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-5.30 Sun 10-2 Bonthrone Bikes 917-919 Fulham Rd SW6 (020 7731 5005) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 11-7 Thurs 11-8 Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5 Evans Cycles 548-550 Chiswick High Road, W4 (0870 060 5489) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8, Sat 9.30-6, Sun 11-5 Mend-a-Bike 19 The Arches 33 Munster Rd Fulham SW6 (020 7371 5867) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-7 Sat 9-6 Wizzbike.com 113-114 High Street, Brentford, TW8 (05601 169 854) ▲ ✔ Mon-Wed, Fri 8-6 Thurs 8-8 Sat 9-6 Sun 11-5 Woolsey of Acton 281 Acton Lane W4 (020 8994 6893) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 9.30-6.30 Sat 9.30-6 (Closed Weds)
SOUTH-EAST Bigfoot Bikes 50 Hayes St Bromley BR2 (020 8462 5004) ● ➔ Inc servicing; exc labour Tues-Sat 9-5.30 Bike Shop (The) 288-290 Lee High Rd SE13 (020 8852 6680) ▲ ✔ on items over £10 Mon-Fri 9-5.30 Sat 9-5 Blackfen Cycle Centre 23 Wellington
BIKES
ACCESSORIES
0%
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✖
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➔
10%
▲
✔
15%
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♣
• Show your LCC card to claim your discount. • The discounts vary and are not negotiable. ● ➔ means no discount on a bicycle and 5% discount on parts and/or accessories. • Discounts don’t usually apply to special offers or sale items.
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Local groups News Meetings: Thursday, June 7, 8pm, The Hyde Arms, Victoria Rd, Edmonton N9; Thursday, July 5, 8pm, Winchmore Hill Cricket Club, Ford’s Grove, N21. Contact: Richard Reeve (0870 321 3717, r.reeve@blueyonder.co.uk) Website: www.lccenfield.fsnet.co.uk
BARNET
At time of writing we are still finalising details for our June Bike Week programme. At the least we will have Dr Bikes at The Spires, High Barnet on Saturday, June 16 and at East Finchley Festival on Sunday, June 24. In between there will be an easy day ride on the Tuesday, a ride to work on the Wednesday, an evening ride on the Thursday and a beginner’s/family ride on Saturday, June 23. On Saturday, July 7 we will be holding a ride into London to see the Prologue of the Tour de France. Even if you’ve never been out on a ride before, do try and join us for this one. See website for details. Meetings: Last Thursday of the month at Trinity Church Hall, Nether St, N12. Contact: Jeremy Parker (020 8440 9080) BarnetLCC@come.to Website: www.barnetlcc.org
Tom Bogdanowicz, Kensington & Chelsea Cycling Campaign, Adam Thompson
BRENT
Brent Cyclists held its AGM on May 2, and a new committee was elected. Do come to a meeting to let us know your views on cycling in Brent and on what you think we should be focusing our campaigning on. In Bike Week we will be doing a ride to Camden Green Fair and running a stall at the Gladstonebury Festival, Gladstone Park. Our popular monthly rides programme continues to take in both urban curiosities and rural delights. See the website for details. Brent has recently adopted an environmentally progressive Local Implementation Plan, authored largely by LCC member Richard Lewis. We will have to see what effect this has in practice. Brent currently has one of the worst environments for cycling of any London borough, and continues to go in the wrong direction, with, for example, a dreadful scheme recently approved for Church End that will create new wide-geometry junctions and a cycle track to nowhere. Consequently there is little sign here of the cycling renaissance being experienced in many other parts of London. Recent CRISP studies have not given any impression that the issues will be realistically tackled. The only good point is the council’s increasing promotion of cycle training through CTUK. It has been interesting to follow the recent about-turns in the London press’ attitude to cycling, with all the traditionally hostile papers running pro-cycling articles, culminating in the Standard’s ‘Safer cycling’ campaign. Hopefully this marks a sea change in public opinion which will push politicians into real action on cycling. Meetings: Wednesday, June 6, 7pm, Willesden Trades & Social Club, 375 High Road NW10; Wednesday, July 4, 7pm, Willesden Green Library Centre, High Rd, NW10. Contact: Ben Tansley (ben.tansley@bentan. demon.co.uk) Website: www.brentcyclists.org.uk CAMDEN
We are embarking on our Bike Bus scheme with the parents and children of Hampstead Parochial School by plotting starting points and working out routes. Soon the training of parents and children will start. We hope to have the first pilot Bike Bus running before the end of the school year. We are very pleased that
GREENWICH
Hackney Cyclists has a vibrant and interesting rides programme. See page 38 for details
the borough has been successful in its bid for Greenway funding for two projects: a big bid for a ramp linking Agar Grove to Camley Street, and a smaller one for a shared-use path on Spaniards Road adjacent to the main Heath. BikeFest will be at Green Fair in Regent’s Park on Sunday, June 3 from noon onwards. This year we are also organising a children’s charity ride (get in touch for information). We’re planning a busy Bike Week with a ride (Parks and Rivers of South London) and a Dr Bike on the first weekend, our usual cyclists’ breakfast midweek (June 20), finishing with the Camden Péripherique (a ride round Camden) on June 24. Details on our website. Meetings: 7.30pm on the second Monday of the month (June 11 and July 9) at Primrose Hill Community Association, 29 Hopkinsons Pl, NW1 (put your bike on railings outside). Contact: Stefano Casalotti (020 7435 0196, stefano@lamsam-casalotti.org.uk) and Jean Dollimore (020 7485 5896, jean@dollimore.net) Website: www.camdencyclists.org.uk ENFIELD
As we go to press we are awaiting the result of an application by Enfield Council and Sustrans to Transport for London for a grant to fund a feasibility study into extending Sustrans Route 12 across the north of the borough from Hadley Wood to Enfield Island Village. This would provide an important east-west ‘greenway’ link across the borough. The replacement footbridge linking Tenniswood Road and Ladysmith Road in the north of the borough is coming along well (and will probably be open by the time you read this). Unfortunately, Enfield Council are still being coy about whether or not cycling will officially be permitted across this bridge, but the absence of any steps will certainly be a great improvement for many users on this shortcut that is much used by cyclists. Plans are coming together for Enfield Council’s first Cycling Festival. This will take place during Bike Week in the Town Park on Sunday, June 24. The council has booked the Company of Cyclists roadshow, so it should be an interesting event. Enfield Cycling Campaign will be running a Dr Bike and information stall. Also look out for the 24-seater ‘bike’ that will be touring the borough the weekend before raising funds for Nightingale Hospice Trust and, at the same time, publicising the festival. If you would like to sponsor one of our riders, please email r.reeve@blueyonder.co.uk.
We participated in Greenwich Mayor’s ride in April, which was well attended. Our latest campaign is get answers from Greenwich Council on why the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnel lifts persistently close early without warning. These foot tunnels are now an important cycling route, link LCN+ routes, and will be an official link to Olympics venues. We have repeatedly asked the lifts manager for an answer, with no success, so we are now going to submit a formal complaint to Greenwich Council Scrutiny Committee. To support this, we have asked local cyclists to note when the lifts are closed, and email Greenwich Cyclists. We are well prepared for Bike Week (unlike last year!) and feel that we have a great programme of rides, planned as always with Southwark and Lewisham. We continue to monitor development along the Thames Path – there is constant pressure to close parts of the path to allow construction, so we are monitoring this to ensure that cycle access is not closed. Meeting: Our AGM is on June 6. Other meetings the first Wednesday of the month. Contact: Julian Dobson (07771 692 344) Website: www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups HACKNEY
The past year’s huge 6% rise in cycling in London has, we hope, been matched and exceeded in Hackney. We don’t know, though, because the figures aren’t broken down by borough and Hackney’s Streetscene department isn’t currently doing any counts of its own. The lack of local data is obviously a problem for policy-making and performance assessment. An example is cycle theft, the only one of Hackney’s target crimes that’s still rising, by 5% in the past year. Since we don’t know how fast cycle use and ownership is rising in Hackney (assuming it’s still rising!), we don’t know whether to chide the police for a failure or congratulate them for a per capita reduction in cycle theft. So we’re asking our council to bid for and run a regular programme of counts as soon as possible. We’re also attending the police’s new cycle theft working group. One of the main aims there is to improve the quality of theft reports, encouraging people to record their frame number and a detailed description of their bike, so they can give a really useful report that’ll help the police to reunite them with their bike if it’s stolen and recovered. One more headline: STA Bikes is running a family cycling club every Saturday until June 30. There’s free cycle training at all levels, plus refreshments, obstacle courses and even puppets shows. Beginners welcome. You can borrow a bike if you don’t have one. For more info, call Gail Bristow on 07828 254 598 or email gailbristow@aol.com. Meetings: First Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm, at Marcon Court Estate Community Hall, near corner of Amhurst Rd and Marcon Pl, E8.
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Local groups See the ‘local groups’ section at www.lcc.org.uk for more contact information and news from your area
Contact: Trevor Parsons (020 7729 2273, info@hackney-cyclists.org.uk) Website: www.hackney-cyclists.org.uk Mailing list: Send a blank email to hackney-lcc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
pathway which is also well-lit. This forms part of the Romford to Rainham route. Contact: Bernie Curtis (CurtisBernieS@aol.com, HCC@dynoweb.f9.co.uk, 01708 347 226) To join the email discussion group: Email David diesgy@yahoo.co.uk
HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM
The super complex at White City, the Westfield development – due to open in October 2008 – is developing a cycling strategy. Present plans are for 570 cycle parking places around the periphery. At a recent high-level stakeholder session people pressed for the highest quality secure parking which could be extended if needed. The strategy should also include safe routes into the complex and through the surrounding area, including SBG and the roundabout. Coming just after the deadline for this news is a steering group meeting for the future s106 development of the Common at Shepherd’s Bush Green. Hopefully there will be a new overall cycling strategy for the whole area, as the CRISP of a couple of years ago is now out of date as bus movements have changed the proposed road layout. With the Holland Park roundabout considered one of the barriers, now is the time to overrule bureaucracy and have an emergency CRISP before the the new road layout is built, nay designed. And please come to Greenfest West London (www.greenfest.org.uk), and please contact us if you can help distribute cards/ posters or can be involved on the day. Meetings: First Tuesday of the month Contact: John Griffiths (020 7371 1290, 07789 095 748, john@truefeelings.com) Website: www.hfcyclists.org.uk
ISLINGTON
With LCC and Hackney Cyclists we collected over 500 signatures on a petition that was presented to the council on the need for improvements Cyclists sign the petition at the crossing of lobbying for improvements Goswell Road near at the crossing of Angel. Following a Goswell Road near Angel public consultation, Transport for London has withdrawn some of their plans for the area. Current local CRISPs are Link 109 on the crossing of Upper Street near Camden Passage; Link 106 on the southern section between York Way & Holloway Road and Link 29 around Agar Grove. Please contact us if you use any of these routes and have comments. Tour d’Arsenal cycling and other sports with a French feel are on June 23 outside Arsenal stadium. For details on this and other Bike Week events, please see our newsletter with this LC or on the Islington section of the LCC website. Meetings: Second Wednesday of the month (June 13, July 11 and August 8), 7.30pm-9.30pm at Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1. Contact: Alison Dines (020 7226 7012, alisondines@clara.co.uk)
HAVERING
A busy day checking about 80 bikes was had by two of our members who were supporting a Sustrans Bike It event at Suttons Primary School in Hornchurch. The day was planned around the children bringing their bikes into school, recieving guidance on safe cycling and its benefits and then by having their bikes checked over by our Dr Bikes Jeff Stafford and Terry Hughes. More events are planned. Despite formal objections from several members, Havering Council proceeded to remove sections of cycle lane in Upminster Road and St Mary’s Lane as part of a traffic scheme. After some weeks of our protests being ignored, the council officers suddenly claimed it was all a mistake and reinstated the lanes. We won a small victory, but the council’s attitute towards us has caused a lot of soul-searching as to how useful our relationship with the council really is. Despite this, we are happy to support this year’s Planet Havering environmental fair in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch. We will have a Dr Bike and will be handing out leaflets and cycling guidance. Please drop by and lend a hand if you have an hour to spare on Saturday, June 16. The nearest tube station is Elm Park and you can take your bike on this part of the District Line. The new re-routed shared-use path through Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, has been completed with a wide, smooth
KENSINGTON & CHELSEA
The K&C LCC group is making great strides! We still meet on the fourth Monday of the month (third Monday in August), but for the summer months we have decided to have a short sociable ride then a quick meeting. April’s meeting was the best so far with lots of people turning up.
WIN a pair of Corinne Dennis shorts
Since reforming last year, Kensington & Chelsea’s local group has proven popular with cyclists in the borough. Bike Week rides are planned – details will be circulated on the egroup (join by mailing kccyclists-subscribe@yahoogroups.com)
Why not come along? In May we met with the council on the outcome of the cyclists’ survey. Thank you to all those that replied – this will be invaluable for the forthcoming cycle route studies in the borough. We hope to have some Bike Week rides planned which will be confirmed on our email group. To join this group for news and updates, send an email to kccyclists-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com or, better still, join via the K&C web page on the LCC site. Meetings: 6pm for ride, 7pm for meeting, Monday, June 25 and Monday, July 23 at the bandstand near Queensway tube, off The Broad Walk, Kensington Gardens. Contact: Philip Loy (philip_loy@yahoo.co.uk, 07960 026 450) Website: www.lcc.org.uk > Kensington & Chelsea KINGSTON
This summer the campaign will be busier than ever with weekend rides, Wednesday evening rides, Tour de France activity and maintenance classes. We’re pleased to see work has started on the Ham Gate to Petersham Gate shared path in Richmond Park which will offer a new route soon. Kingston yet again is shamefully high in the cycle-theft hotspots league issued by an insurer,
WIN!
LC has one pair of Corinne Dennis ladies’ X-Elle shorts (size 12) to give away. The shorts are grey, boast four pockets, a baggy cut, and are crease resistant. They are designed to be worn with padded underpants (not included). The shorts retail for £35.99. For more on the shorts, see www. corinnedennis.co.uk. To enter our prize draw, send either a postcard to LCC (see address on page 3) or an email londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk by June 30, 2007. Please mark your entry ‘shorts prize draw’ and include your full name, postal address and phone number.
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Local groups News meetings? There’s a social part in the bar afterwards. Meetings: 8.30pm, Tuesday, June 19 and July 17, upstairs meeting room, Bread & Roses pub, 68 Clapham Manor St, SW4. Contact: Philip Loy (lambeth_cyclists@hotmail. com, 020 8677 8624) Website: www.lambethcyclists.org.uk MERTON
A cyclist enjoys the new road surface in Lower Ham Road, Kingston
coming in number 2 position. Nevertheless, Kingston police maintain their newer data shows a 44% reduction in thefts. The police have set up a web page to help return bikes to their owners (search on ‘Seek_your_cycle’). The average value of recovered bikes looks about £40. With Kingston also having the highest average claim at £420, it’s all looking fishy. We were invited to a meeting on the council’s Cultural Strategy, (improving participation in physical activity), where we emphasised the value of ‘everyday cycling’ in meeting the council’s targets which emphasise increasing the activity of people aged 45+. Hopefully we made the impression that cycling to work or to the shops is every bit as useful, and in many ways much more practical, than the promotion of organised team sports. We at least raised awareness with sports officers who didn’t know about the activities we offer. Meetings: June 12 and 10 July 10 at Wagon & Horses, Surbiton Hill Rd. Contact: Rob James (020 8546 8865) Website: www.kingstoncycling.org.uk LAMBETH
We had a great AGM in April. Outgoing LCC director Simon Brammer started off with a brief participation session on what we wanted to see for cycling in London in 10 years’ time. Richard Hebditch, policy and campaigns manager at Living Streets, gave an outline of their campaigns and we discussed ways in which we could work together to bring about common aims. The only change to our committee was the welcome addition of Chris James, so welcome Chris! Look out especially for our meeting in June as that is due to be a Bike Week special with key people from Lambeth Council attending. We are putting the final touches to our Bike Week programme (June 16-24), so look out for our rides in the newsletter and on our website. July brings the annual summer highlight, the one and only Lambeth Country Show on July 21-22. Come along and join us at our stall. Why not come along to one of our friendly and informal
Merton Bike Week is June 16-24 and we have the fullest programme of events planned ever, so check out our website or local newsletter for full details, and get your friends and family who don’t usually cycle along to an event if you can – this is all about getting new people cycling! New people cycling is the theme of this entry as we are very keen to get new bums on saddles for our ride into London on July 7 to watch the Tour de France prologue event. We have no fewer than four start points from Merton: 10am from Wimbledon Station forecourt, Wimbledon Racquets And Fitness Club or the Civic Centre; or 9.30am from Pollards Hill Library. These rides will be free of charge, and registered participants will have access to a reserved viewing area at Hyde Park Corner. PLEASE invite ALL your friends to register via our website! We want to show people who may not usually think of cycling into central London that it can be a pleasant ride, and not as far as you might think. MCC members and experienced urban cyclists will of course be welcome too. In a further bid to promote utility cycling, we are publishing recommended local cycle commuting routes on our website. If you have a route you’d like to tell others about, just email it to me. Meetings: Usually 8pm on the first Thursday of the month, email or phone for details. Contact: Richard Evans (020 8946 0912, richard. m.evans@ntlworld.com) Website: www.mertoncyclists.org.uk REDBRIDGE
Lots of local cycling events for you and the family to enjoy this summer! The Green Fair on May 27 and the Redbridge Bikeathon (in aid of Leukaemia Research) on June 10 are both in Valentines Park. Then in Bike Week, the Father’s Day Picnic Ride on June 16 has lots of excitement for the children (ever tried unicycling?) and a nice surprise for all dads! Bygone Barking by Bike on Wednesday, June 20 is a great ride for local history buffs, then on Sunday, June 24 Waltham Forest is hosting the Company of Cyclists and organising guided cycle rides round Waltham Forest. On July 1 the Essex Century Ride will be raising funds for the NSPCC’s Big Bike Ride Weekend. The event of the year, the Tour de France Prologue, is on July 7 and there will be a mass East London feeder ride up to the event in Hyde Park. Register your place on the LCC website. The 4th Families Ride is on Sunday, July 15 to Wanstead Flats. Last but not least, we will be running another series of cycle maintenance workshops, probably on July 4, 11 and 18. More seriously, comments on the future of Fairlop, now that the racecourse idea has been sunk, must be registered with Louise
Waller on 020 8500 9911 or louise.waller@ redbridge.gov.uk by June 22. We need a decent cycle route on Forest Road from Fulwell Cross roundabout up to Fairlop and then up to Hog Hill, and also a decent off-road ‘green link’ across Fairlop Waters land. Meetings: Phone or email for details Contact: Gill James (020 8989 4898, gilljames@ btinternet.com); Chris Elliott (020 8989 6285, c.elliott@dsl.pipex.com) SOUTHWARK
Sara French, an instructor with www. cyclinginstructor.com, helped rescue two baby rabbits on a Southwark Cyclists ride in late-March
Maintenance classes at On Your Bike; Latin Carnaval Cyclovia 22/7; bike cages with Better Bankside; Young Southwark Cyclists at Burgess Park Bike Track; Dulwich Green Fair; Cycle Day at Surrey Quays shopping centre with Slough Estates and Decathlon; part of the Aylesbury Area Neighbourhood Team; partners with Southwark Living Streets; Bermondsey Carnival Procession; two community-targeted projects with Southwark Refugee Community Forum; rides for the monthlong London Architecture Biennale 2008 ... all brand new projects happening now right here in Southwark because of us and mostly created out of fresh air. Unlikely alliances and partnerships are what makes the world go round and the way to spread bikes to new places is surely through such. And they’re dangerously and deliciously contagious. New seductive possibilities emerge and need to be sussed out quickly but carefully. Can they be trusted? Will they deliver? Will they be fun to work with or dreary? If it feels bad, don’t do it. And then we still have our Thursday Afterworkers, Bike Week, the Tour, the Dynamo, Wild Wales, 25/12. Cheerful help needed. Apply within. Meetings: The second Wednesday of the month at 7pm at Blackfriars Settlement, 1/5 Rushworth Street, SE1. Pub after. Contact: Barry Mason (07905 889 005) Website: www.southwarkcyclists.org.uk WALTHAM FOREST
Thanks to all who made an effort to campaign on behalf of the Bike Recycling Scheme – we have been reassured that the scheme will continue thanks to the support of volunteers, however
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Local groups AUGUST/SEPTEMBER DEADLINE: 6pm Thursday, July 5 Please email news to boroughnews@lcc.org.uk – photos are welcome and will be published if space permits. Please keep contributions as concise as possible.
OTHER LOCAL GROUP CONTACTS
more support on a regular basis is needed, so if anyone has bike maintenance skills that they want to put to good use, please step forward! The scheme will not operate over the winter months but will continue in the spring and summer. Our cycling officer has advised us of proposals to improve the cycle facilities on Snaresbrook Road and to put lights on Whipps Cross roundabout – tracks will be installed across the roundabout to help cyclists avoid cycling around the roundabout itself. We are planning three cycling for health rides on May 13, June 17 and July 15 – full details can be found on our website. Waltham Forest Council is planning a day of events on June 24 during Bike Week. This will include stalls and events in the town square and ‘Tour de Waltham Forest’ rides. Volunteers will be needed to help out, so if possible keep the date free in your diary. We will also be arranging feeder riders into London to view the start of the real Tour on July 7 – all participants will get a space in the special viewing area set aside for LCC in Hyde Park. We want to get as many new cyclists involved in this as possible so start working on your friends and family now. Meetings: Second Wednesday of the month at the Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe St, Walthamstow, 8pm. Contact: Gerhard Weiss (gerhardweiss@talk21. com) or wfcycling@wfcycling.org.uk Website: www.wfcycling.org.uk WANDSWORTH
There’s been some great discussion in our group recently about spending a recent donation to us of £1,200 – not to mention our exciting plans for Bike Week. We also contributed loads of up-to-the-minute ideas to an important debate
WESTMINSTER
There have been two separate reports from businesses and landowners calling for improvements in the Mayfair area. One covers Regent Street and Oxford Street, where we shall probably not see any significant improvement, as well as New Bond Street, where we are more hopeful. Meanwhile, the Grosvenor Estate is calling for reductions in traffic, the removal of one-way systems and the elimination of barriers, such as Park Lane and the Victoria gyratory system. Westminster has published its CRISP report on the cycle route between Ebury Bridge and Fleet Street. The main proposals include a short cut through the Victoria gyratory system, cycling through an extended pedestrianised area in front of Buckingham Palace, use of the service road alongside the Mall, a dedicated cycle lane through Admiralty Arch and contraflow cycling in the one-way eastern end of the Strand. Unfortunately there are no significant suggestions for improving cycling conditions along the western end of the Strand. The London School of Economics held a successful cycling week, with cycling breakfasts, security marking and Dr Bike surgeries. Meanwhile Westminster is installing additional cycle parking stands outside the LSE’s hall of residence in Northumberland Avenue. Annual General Meeting: Wednesday, June 13 at 19pm near the bandstand, Serpentine Rd, Hyde Park. Contact: Colin Wing (020 7828 1500, cyclist@ westminstercyclists.fsnet.co.uk) Website: www.westminstercyclists.fsnet.co.uk
Members’ adverts WANTED: A low step-through bike, 20-24 inch frame, condition immaterial. Please call John Powell on 020 8504 7089. How to advertise Non-business ads are free for LCC members. Email londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk or write to the address on page 3, and include your full name, address and membership number. The Aug/Sep issue deadline is: Thursday, July 5. Businesses or members interested in larger advertisements should contact Dan Rich on 020 7306 0300 ext 116 or email lcc@mongoosemedia.com
BARKING & DAGENHAM Contact: Colin Newman (020 7871 0489, 07761 577255, Colin.Newman@stibasa.org.uk) www.stibasa.org.uk BEXLEY Contact: Frances Renton (01322 441979, f.renton@gold.ac.uk) www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups BROMLEY: www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups CITY Contact: Ralph Smyth (info@citycyclists.org.uk) www.citycyclists.org.uk CROYDON Contact: Liz Mincer (07946 362193) or Trevor Rolfe (020 8681 1518) www.croydon-lcc.org.uk EALING Meetings: First Wednesday of the month Contact: David Lomas (020 8579 0805, david_lomas28@hotmail.com) www.ealingcycling.org.uk HARINGEY Contact: Adam Coffman (adam@tao.org.uk) www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups HARROW Contact: Jacob Farley Gloor (020 8866 8894) www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups HILLINGDON Contact: Sarah James (020 8868 2912) or Steve Ayres ( 01895 230953) www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups HOUNSLOW Meetings: Last Wednesday of the month Contact: Liz Trayhorn (020 8751 5430) www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups LEWISHAM Meetings: Third Wednesday of the month, 7pm at the Albany, Deptford Contact: Roger Stoker (info@lewishamcyclists.net) www.lewishamcyclists.net NEWHAM Contact: Bernard McDonnell (07947 236 965) www.lcc.org. uk > Local groups SUTTON Meetings: Second Tuesday of the month Contact: Chris Parry (020 8647 3584) www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups RICHMOND Meetings: The second Monday each month Contact: Ian Lyall (Ianlyall@BTOpenworld.com) TOWER HAMLETS Meetings: Second Wednesday of the month Contact: Owen Pearson (020 7515 9905, wheelers@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk) www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
Most groups have email lists to communicate with members and exchange ideas. Ask your local group for details.
Jon Fray, Wendy Wilson, Barry Mason
On the road with the Waltham Forest group during their annual Easter Isle of Wight trip
in Westminster Hall about cycle-rail integration – organised in May by Battersea MP Martin Linton. At our April meeting we looked at over four pages of suggestions for spending the £1,200, and came up with some exciting plans for cycle training, cycling promotion, building up our group – volunteers are welcomed to help (a little or a lot) put it all into practice! Just go to www.wandsworthcyclists.org.uk to find out how. Bike Week plans are firming up nicely with our traditional night-time Richmond Park ride high on the agenda. Anyone who’d like to help with rides, stalls or bike maintenance would be hugely welcome – why not just tip your toe on the low-gear pedal? Take a look at Mike’s weblog about specific Wandsworth streets, at www. wcc-streets.blogspot.com to inspire your interest in WCC – or come along to a meeting. Meetings: Second Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Contact: Simon Merrett (020 8789 6639, coordinator@wandsworthcyclists.org.uk) Website: www.wandsworthcyclists.org.uk
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Diary Rides & Events Your guide to events and rides that are open to all cyclists What you need to know about social rides Unless stated, train-assisted rides meet at the relevant ticket office. Lunch is at a pub or take sandwiches if you prefer. Don’t forget: water, lights, a spare inner tube and tools.
Armchair riding To keep up with late changes and extra information, subscribe to the London Riders email list. Send a message to lccrider-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Organisers To publicise your ride or event, enter details onto the LCC database (www.lcc.org.uk). To get events into the August/September issue, please upload full details by noon, Thursday, July 5.
Bare bums on bike seats The World Naked Bike Ride, which will be held in London on June 9, aims to encourage and promote carfree lifestyles in an effort to reduce the impact of pollution and congestion, promote self-sufficiency and foster a sense of community. More than 700 people turned out for the London leg last year, with even more expected this year. Bodypainting, bike decorating and other forms of creative expression are encouraged, as are rollerbladers and skateboarders. The circular route starts in Hyde Park and makes its way around all the city’s major landmarks. For full details and route information, see www.worldnakedbikeride. org/uk/london/route
Hadrian’s Wall guide A guide for cyclists and walkers exploring Hadrian’s Wall has been released. The guide covers routes and accommodation options, as well as other cyclist-friendly businesses in the region. Hadrian’s Cycleway, National Cycle Network route 72 covers 174 miles, and stretches the entire length of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. The guide is available by calling the Hadrian’s Wall Information Line on 01434 322 002 or online via www.hadrians-wall.org
The famous Little Green Ride goes quarterly After more than 15 years and 400 rides, the famous Little Green Ride is moving from a fortnightly to a quarterly ride. The ride is a mainstay on LCC calendars, taking in many scenic miles around northern
Hertfordshire. Over the year it is estimated that some 2000 cyclitsts have taken part in the rides. Keep an eye on these pages and on www.lcc.org.uk/rides for future dates.
Explore the quiet backroads of north-east France The French Ardennes, one of the quieter and lesser-known regions of France, is promoting itself to cyclists. The French Ardennes are can be reached by Eurostar to Paris, Lille or Brussels, followed by regular train services. Six marked trails cover some 875km of the north-eastern region of France, with each trail carrying a different theme. A brochure French Ardennes Walking & Biking 2007 features route information, as well as a list of bike hire and mountain bike centres. To request a copy, see www.ardennes.com or email info@ardennes.com. The France Travel Centre at 178 Piccadilly, W1 can also offer advice.
Bicycle-friendly beds in Herefordshire The Corner House in Newton St Margaret’s, Herefordshire is offering people who arrive on a bike two nights’ B&B for £25 (or two nights for the price of one). Guests receive a cycling map. “We are in the middle of a very beautiful part of rural Herefordshire, midway between Hereford, Abergavenny and Hay-on-Wye, with the Black Mountains only a few miles away,” says owner Tim Start. “Roads around here are quiet, but often hilly. One nearby Sustrans route goes up the Llanthony Valley and over the
Gospel Pass towards Hay, which can be included in a fantastic circular day ride from here. “A good weekend route is to catch the train to Abergavenny (or Hereford), enjoy a scenic evening ride here (stopping at the Carpenters Arms in Walterstone en route). You can then spend a leisurely Sunday morning before taking another route (via the Skirrid Inn at llanvihangel Crucorney) to the train home.” For more information, call 01981 510 283 or email timstart@yahoo.co.uk
Join poet Martin Newell (above) and artist Charlotte Bernays for a relaxing three-hour ride through the north Essex countryside. The rides are part of the Spoke ’n’ Word initiative, which returns this year after a successful 2006 programme. The tours run every weekend until July 1. Places are limited. More details and tickets (£7) are available on 01206 500 900 or at www.insite-essex.co.uk.
RIDES AND EVENTS June 3-17 ◆ London Sustainability Weeks. See www.london sustainabilityweeks.org Sunday, June 3 ◆ Camden Greenfair. Ride from Ealing Town Hall to Greenfair (www.camdengreenfair.ik.com). Contact: David Eales (07990 531 472, jellied30@hotmail.com) Saturday, June 9 ◆ World Naked Bike Ride. See left. June 10 ◆ Bread Pudding Ride. 10.30am, Kingston Market Place, Queen Anne’s Statue. Easy-paced ride into Surrey with the Kingston Cycling Campaign. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875, johnedunn@blueyonder.co.uk) ◆ Open Garden Squares Weekend Ride. 9.30am from Albert Memorial, Kensington Gardens. Discover London’s secret gardens. A £7.50 ticket for entry to gardens. See www.open squares.org. Contact: Colin Wing (cyclist@westminstercyclists. fsnet.co.uk, 020 7828 1500) June 16-24 ◆ Bike Week. See page 16. Sunday, June 17 ◆ BHF London to Brighton bike ride. See www.bhf.org.uk ◆ Greenfest West London. Furnival Gardens, Hammersmith. Includes bike try-outs and a prize draw. www.greenfest.org.uk ◆ Ride to Greenfest. 10am from Ealing Town Hall. Traditional ride and a great start to Bike Week. Contact: David Eales (07900 531 472, jellied30@hotmail.com) ◆ Parks and Rivers of South London. 10.30am from Interchange Centre on Haverstock Hill (Hampstead Old Town Hall). Contact: Jean Dollimore (020 7267 3585, jean@ dollimore.net) Wednesday, June 20 ◆ Summer Solstice. 7pm from Ealing Town Hall. Annual meet up of LCC groups at Richmond. Contact: David Eales (07990 531 472, jellied30@hotmail.com) ◆ Summer Solstice. 7.30pm from Furnivall Gardens, W6 to Richmond. Contact: John Griffiths (020 7371 1290, info@ hfcyclists.org.uk) ◆ Summer Solstice. 7.30pm from Wimbledon Station forecourt to Richmond. Off-road but you won’t need a mountain bike. Contact: Richard Evans (020 8946 0912, richard.evans@ ntlworld.com)
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Diary For last-minute rides, contact your local group (details page 34) or go to www.lcc.org.uk/rides
Art takes cyclists on virtual tours of routes Luton’s Lea Manor High School is home to a work of art sponsored by Sustrans and created by Michael Pinsky. The Course (pictured), near National Cycle Network Route 6, is open to the public during school hours. The artwork uses a series of stationary bikes and the latest technology to link cyclists to a virtual tour of local cycle routes. Michael Pinsky’s work is inspired by our obsession with the virtual world, where leisure activities have shifted from the tangible to the imaginary, relying on technology for entertainment and computers for new experiences. Pinsky worked with students from Lea Manor High to produce the piece. The Course is one of hundreds of artworks lining Sustrans routes (see LC Oct/Nov 06 and
The Course, by Michael Pinsky Dec 06/Jan 07). “This piece takes the cyclists on a journey into a digital world and makes them part of the sculpture,” says Sustrans’ arts director Katy Hallet says.
Dunwich Dynamo heads for the Suffolk coast July 28-29 sees the return of the annual Dunwich Dynamo. The 120-mile ride from London to the ‘lost’ city of Dunwich on the Suffolk coast is a popular fixture on the cycling calendar. From 1993 to 1998, the ride was a commercial pay-to-enter event, but it became free in 1999 on a simple turn-upand-ride basis.
Barry Mason from Southwark Cyclists organises return coaches for bikes and riders – contact him at masonb@supanet.com to book your place. Trains also travel to London from Ipswich, 40km away. Directions from Dunwich back to Ipswich. For more information, see www. londonschoolofcycling.co.uk or call Patrick on 020 7249 3779.
£1.6m centre opens for cyclists and walkers
Cycling about the Mawddach estuary at sunset A new £1.6m visitor centre at Coed Y Brenin in the Snowdonia National Park has opened near Dolgellau. It is hoped the complex will become a magnet for cyclists and walkers. The forest complex replaces the old centre at Maesgym, which could not cater for the huge recent increase in visitor numbers to the area. A network of trails has been developed for all abilities: leisurely family walks sit alongside cycling trails and an all-ability orienteering trail runs along the river banks. There are also mountain bike trails for riders of all standards. Snowdonia Coach House
Holidays has introduced accommodation for cyclists wishing to stay in well-appointed caravans near the trails. People bringing their own bicycles can store them safely on site, while bike hire is also available. “There is a particularly relaxing cycle trail along an eight-mile stretch of former railway track by the Mawddach estuary at Dolgellau, an area described by poet Ruskin as the most beautiful in the world,” says Terry Kirtland, of Snowdonia Coach House Holidays. More details are available at www.snowdoniacottages.com or call 01650 531 565. See also www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk.
Dawn Bonfield (dawn.bonfield@ iom3.org, 01438 820 850) Wednesday, July 11 ◆ Midweek Ride. 7.30pm, Kingston Market Pl, Queen Anne’s Statue. Easy ride with Kingston Cycling Campaign. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875, johnedunn @blueyonder.co.uk) July 13-15 ◆ Blackpool Cycle Fest. Contact: Ivor Armstrong (07811 197 137, ivor@cdnw.org) Sunday, July 15 ◆ Bread Pudding Ride. See June 10. ◆ London Bikeathon. See www.londonbikeathon.co.uk Sunday, July 22 ◆ Bread Pudding Summer Special. See June 24. Friday, July 27 ◆ ICAG Ride to Critical Mass. See June 29. July 28-29 ◆ Dunwich Dynamo. See left. Sunday, July 29 ◆ Hackney Cycle Campaign’s Thames Estuary Escape. 28 miles, medium difficulty. Meet 9.30am Stoke Newington Common, Brooke Rd, N16. Contact: Adam Thompson (07940 121 513, adamt@constructionplus.net)
PLANNING AHEAD September 3-9 ◆ 2007 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. Fort William, Scotland. www. fortwilliamworldchamps.co.uk September 9-15 ◆ Tour of Britain. After the Tour of France comes the Tour of Britain. Full details and route at www.tourofbritain.com September 15-23 ◆ Isle of Wight Cycling Festival. Bikes take over the island. www.sunseaandcycling.com September 16-22 ◆ European Mobility Week. www.mobilityweek-europe.org September 23 ◆ London Freewheel. Keep an eye on LC and www. lcc.org.uk for details of mass participation rides October 11-14 ◆ The Cycle Show. Earl’s Court hosts UK’s largest bike expo for the first time. www.cycleshow.co.uk Tuesday, October 16 ◆ LCC AGM. See page 5 October 16-20 ◆ Bicycle Film Festival. Bikes on the big screen. www.bicyclefilmfestival.com
BritainOnView, Michael Pinsky
◆ Kingston Cycling Campaign Ride. 7.30pm from Kingston Market Place, Queen Anne’s Statue. Easy local ride. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875, johnedunn@blueyonder.co.uk) Sunday, June 24 ◆ Wandle Valley Festival. Cycle rides are planned. Call 0870 714 0750 or see www.wandlevalleyfestival.org.uk ◆ Hackney Cycle Campaign’s Epping Forest Wooded Wonder. 27 miles, medium difficulty. Meet 9.30am Stoke Newington Common, Brooke Rd N16. Contact: Adam Thompson (adamt@constructionplus.net, 07940 121 513) ◆ Bread Pudding Summer Special. 10.30am from Kingston Market Pl, Queen Anne’s Statue. Easy-paced rides at 10.30am and 2pm. Contact John Dunn (020 8397 1875, johnedunn@blueyonder.co.uk) ◆ Ride around Camden. Take in all the wards from 10.30am, Camden Town Hall (Judd St entrance). 26.3 miles. Contact Jean Dollimore (020 7485 5896, jean@ dollimore.net) ◆ Family Ride. 10am Ealing Town Hall. Gentle ride around borough. Contact David Eales (07990 531 472, jellied30@hotmail.com) Friday, June 29 ◆ ICAG Ride to Critical Mass. 6.15pm from Islington Town Hall, Upper St, N1. Join the Friday fun on London’s largest monthly ride. Contact: Chris Ashby (020 7609 5093) Saturday, June 30 ◆ Greenwich to Hastings. 9am from Cutty Sark Gardens and Ladywell Fields at 9.30am. Contact: Paul Taylor (jontaylor@dial.pipex. com or 07957 209 322 – no texts) Sunday, July 1 ◆ Pick-Your-Own-Fruit Ride. 10am from Ealing Town Hall. A trip to Copas Farm in Slough (www.copasfarms.co.uk/newsite/ pickyourown.htm). Contact: David Eales (07990 531 472, jellied30@ hotmail.com) ◆ Claygate Ride. 9am from Pollards Hill Library. 28 miles. Contact: Mark (07711 688 189 or mark@pollardshillcyclists.org.uk) ◆ British Cyclosportive. Amateurs ride the Tours first stage. www.everydaycycling.com July 6-8 ◆ Tour de France. Includes LCC spectator rides (www.lcc.org.uk). See page 12 Friday, July 6 ◆ Materials In Bicycles. Event looking at the bike design. See www.iom3.org/events or contact
LONDON CYCLIST June/July 2007 39
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Books ’n’ things Fine lines extract from If You Fall by Karen Darke We squeezed our bikes and bodies into a minivan bound for Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and bounced our dusty way toward the city. I remembered the time, lying in a hospital bed, when I had thought that adventure like this would never be possible again – and certainly not a journey into some of the world’s highest mountains. Our first few days of cycling didn’t bode well for a successful journey. Every few kilometres a bolt or a piece of metal, vital to the smooth running of our bikes, clinked onto the rough tarmac. A critical nut that kept my hand-pedal attached went missing, and all the jolting and jarring over the rough road surface caused the bottle rack to shear off the frame. Doubts crept into me. Were we being realistic about undertaking this journey, with a thousand miles of dirt road ahead? Maybe I should have listened to that negative voice after all. But we weren’t turning back and to keep our cycling dream alive we improvised in every possible way. We used chewing gum to temporarily stop the hand-pedal from falling off and we got into a habit of tightening all the vital nuts and bolts on our bikes each evening. My arm muscles ached as we cranked through the miles. I recalled the first time I tried to hand-cycle in Aberdeen. I’d wondered how my arms could ever power me any distance. I hadn’t known at the time how easily the body adapts if you are persistent with training and that I would one day find myself able to hand-pedal thousands of miles. We’d managed to find an old military map of Kyrgyzstan in Britain, but it bore little resemblance to the one that we’d bought in Bishkek. We didn’t know which one to believe, and the only common road between them led east towards a giant Lake called Issy-Kul, where we would turn south into the rising Tien Shan mountains. It wasn’t the motorway that we’d expected, and there was more horse traffic than trucks negotiating its appalling surface. The heat was intense and our wheels left tyre tracks in the semi-molten tar. Farmers and travellers smiled at us, and children playing in the villages we passed through screamed at the sight of our bicycle caravan. At the end of our first long sweaty day, we found a good place to camp in a grassy orchard beside the road. We settled into the shady spot as dusk descended, and only the occasional rumble of a passing truck tainted the deep sleep that our bodies sank into. If You Fall..., Karen Darke (£9.99, O Books)
Reviews Cyclecraft, John Franklin (£12, Stationery Office) John Franklin, the author of drivers and to discourage Cyclecraft, is the acknowledged risky manoeuvres by other guru of cycle training in Britain. The road users; cycling in the founder of Cycle Training UK, Simeon gutter increases risk to Bamford, was inspired by Franklin’s cyclists. It’s worth buying this work when he set up what is now book for this piece of learning alone. the biggest training organisation in Franklin covers every aspect of the country. The work of CTUK and riding and provides reasoning for organisations like the London School every piece of advice he offers. of Cycling has, in turn, led to the The new edition of Cyclecraft is National Standards for cycle training more thorough than the original. It is and Bikeability. So the thousands promoted as being aimed at children of people who are benefiting from as well as adults but it stops short of Bikeablity training can thank John including child training techniques. Franklin. Bikeability teaches riding on To benefit from those, parents the road – not just in the playground would be well advised to ensure that – and it follows Franklin’s key mantra their child’s school signs up for the that the cyclist should be positioned Bikeability programme (see page 5). on the road so as to be visible to Tom Bogdanowicz
Complete Mountain Biking Manual, Tim Brink (£19.99, New Holland) This overview of mountain biking covers the formative years right through to training, preparation and diet for competitive riding. It’s a well-written and accessible book aimed at novices. Each section is complemented by excellent photography. There is also the obligatory maintenance and repairs section. For all this, the book follows a predictable theme and there is little to distinguish it from a wealth of similar titles. While it is one of the better books on mountain biking and it might make a nice gift, more experienced riders will want something more technical. Michael Stenning Murder By Bicycle, Veronica Heley (£9.99, Severn House Publishers) In some ways Ellie Quicke, the fiftysomething church-going heroine of the book, will remind readers of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Christie’s village England has come bang up-to-date, however, with contentedly widowed Ellie armed with a mobile phone and torn between the demands of her dreadful daughter Diane, her spoilt young grandson Frank and the attentions of the charming vicar Bill. In between domestic considerations and bouts of toothache, Ellie and her friends manage to solve the mysterious murders carried out by a woman on a bicycle. There is such a shortage of women cycling in the local area, however, that an innocent cyclist is mistakenly accused of the dastardly deed. An easy, quick read for a warm summer’s day. Aileen Aitken
Also out now 1000 Things To Do In London (£12.99, Time Out) Southwark Cyclists’ Christmas Day ride, Critical Mass and the Herne Hill Velodrome all rate special mentions in this compilation of great days out in the capital. Special Places To Stay: British Bed & Breakfasts (£14.99, Alastair Sawday’s) If you’re looking to match a nice cycle route to some decent overnight accommodation, you could do worse than pick up a copy of this guide, which carries a quick reference index that lists dozens of B&Bs within two miles of the National Cycle Network.
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Book ’n’ things
The Death of Marco Pantani by Matt Rendell (reviewed LC Feb/Mar 07) has won Best Biography at the British Sports Book Awards 2007. The book traces the life and death of Pantani, who in 1998 won both the Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) and the Tour de France. A year later he was expelled from the Giro d’Italia after failing a blood test. Only after his death did it emerge that he was a cocaine addict. The Death Of Marco Pantani is a fascinating look at Pantani’s life and professional cycling. It was published in hardback last year and will be out in paperback (£7.99) in June. The Flying Scotsman, released in cinemas July 7 Jonny Lee Miller stars in this eagerly anticipated feature film about Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree who broke the world one-hour record riding a bike he had built himself. Released to coincide with the Tour de France. In Search Of Robert Millar, Richard Moore (£19.99, HarperSport) To many, Robert Millar is a sporting genius; after becoming immersed in Richard Moore’s biography of Millar, you’ll have a far greater appreciation of just how difficult it is to achieve this accolade as a professional cyclist. The story goes from the cycling clubs of Glasgow to the amateur ACBB team, where, for the first time, French dominance is challenged by talented outsiders, including Millar. Promotion to the professional ranks is painfully earned and what follows is a career of glorious success entwined with scandalous disappointment. Where is Millar now? No-one seems to know. I’m happy to let him be and to simply enjoy this portrayal of the most successful road cyclist produced by these islands. Andrew Barnett Vive Le Tour!, Nick Brownlee (£8.99, Robson Books) In 1912, Lucien Petit-Breton, a previous Tour winner, was forced to withdraw from the race after colliding with a cow. Subtitled ‘Amazing tales of cycling and the Tour de France’, Vive Le Tour! tells this tale and others from the Tour’s history. The more serious stats – youngest Tour winners, longest post-war breakaway victories, etc – will be enough to keep trivia fans entertained while they await the prologue.
Guides 50 Quirky Bike Rides In England And Wales, Rob Ainsley (£9.99, Eye Books) Released to coincide with Bike Week, Rob Ainsley’s latest cycling offering does what it says on the tin: it offers 50 well-researched, interesting rides all over England and Wales. The rides are suitable for cyclists of all abilities and are a great way of getting out and exploring the more bizarre corners of the countryside. Take Your Bike: Family Rides In New York’s Finger Lakes Region, Rich & Sue Freeman (US$19.95, Footprint Press) I associated New York with a vibrant, exciting cycle messenger scene. However, as this book reveals, the state also enjoys many miles of traffic-free riding. The book opens with a meander through the history of the bicycle and a discussion of suitable bikes for exploring the trails. It’s a shame then that much of the information is inaccurate, raising concerns as to the overall accuracy of the book. This aside, the writing is engaging and accessible, and accompanied by maps detailing ride duration, terrain and difficulty levels. This is a book aimed at a US market with a deep-seated car culture, and assumes car ownership with scant reference to alternatives. Regardless, it’s a good basis for researching the area, and opened a window of riding opportunity of which I was previously ignorant. Michael Stenning
Backpedalling Josie Dew The vehicle-encased face – what an amusing sight it is! Cyclists are probably the best placed observers of such phenomena. We travel at a speed which enables us to often catch more than prolonged glimpses of the drivers of oncoming vehicles. And what do we see? Expressions of elation and rapturous joy and hearty wellbeing as so often adorns the faces of velocipedists? Hardly. More like looks of frustration, anger, boredom. Especially those faces seen behind windscreens of car-clogged London. For to drive in London (or, for that matter, almost anywhere) is to drive into a chaotic scene of traffic jams and bottlenecks and contra-flow systems and hopelessly unpredictable journey times. No wonder so many drivers bear pained expressions that make them look as if they have a small cluster of pickled onions stuck up their bottoms. Sit yourself in a moving (if you’re lucky) armchair surrounded by airbags and no feel of the wind in your face and stress or inertia sets in. Add to this scene a litany of tailbacks, cones, head-on collisions, closed roads, wheel clamps, speed cameras, road rage, traffic wardens, and nowhere to park at your destination. Happy jollity all round then? As Kirsty MacColl might sing: “In these shoes? – I don’t think so.” And so turn to the face of a cyclist. Here comes one now, weaving effortlessly among the stationary traffic. A little clammy about the gills, maybe, but unlike the frustrated motorist, the cyclist looks alert, agile, observant and enlivened. This and more is what cycling does to you. It gets your blood pumping, your heart pounding, your head popping with happy hormones. Cycling is so simple and yet its effects run so deep. That’s why I love riding my bike. It doesn’t matter where. Hot, cold, wet, dry, city street, country lane, mountain road, forest, wind-blown desert, Hanger Lane gyratory. It all keeps you on your toes and wanting more. So when a woman of maturing age (like a good farmhouse cheddar) said to me the other day, “Now that you have a baby, you’ll have to give up cycling, you know”, I thought: Over my dead body! In fact, since having Molly, I feel the need to cycle even more. Not to burn off the birthing blubber (though that is useful), but to show her that she doesn’t need to be strapped like an astronaut into a car seat and driven around in big metal boxes from here to there and nowhere and back again. Instead, I want to share with her the fun and the freedom of cycling and the infinite number of places you can explore by simple leg power, whether that be Essex or Egypt, Hackney or Hungary, Bangladesh or Billericay. Josie’s latest books are Saddled at Sea, a voyage to New Zealand by Russian freighter, and Long Cloud Ride, a 6000-mile cycle around New Zealand. Both are published by Little Brown Books. See also www.josiedew.co.uk
Words by Lynette Eyb, unless otherwise stated
Cycle sport
LONDON CYCLIST June/July 2007 43
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9/5/07 10:22:42
My way
Beckenham to Lewisham London is blessed with natural delights. On her daily commute, Jill Barrett passes three rivers, indulges in the odd bit of bird-spotting and watches parks come to life
After using the pedestrian crossing to avoid the horrible roundabout, I lock the bike (two locks nowadays) outside the station entrance. I give a nod to the Quaggy River, and along with the Ravensbourne and Pool, it means I’ve visited three rivers en route. A window on the world I have to say this is the best commuting route I have ever tried, and it’s such a positive experience. The route is great – tree-lined riverbanks, the fresh smell of flowing water; it’s almost a rural feel. In Cator Park I see the kiddies being dropped off at the nursery in the middle of the park, and keep an eye on the schoolgirls in the park chatting up older boys (all of them smoking like chimneys). I see all the dogs taking their owners for walks. There are the three gents who meet up with bird-watching gear – I am a moderately keen garden birdwatcher – and whizzing along on my bike I see kingfishers, herons, redwings, woodpeckers, and the ubiquitous parakeets getting fat on the apples some lunatic attaches to a bush. There are sleek, unworried foxes, and what I hope are water rats scurrying away from my bike at twilight. During the summer, there is a fair scattering of disaffected youth. I have reported graffiti ‘artists’ and boys throwing stones at passing trains, seen dodgy packages being exchanged, and shouted at countless men (and one woman!) who think it’s OK to pee in public.
Above: The Pool River, Bell Green, Sydenham Above right: Jill on her way from Beckenham to Lewisham
YOUR WAY Is your regular commute interesting? Can you take a few photos along the way? Email us at londoncyclist@ lcc.org.uk or write to the address on page 3
It’s the only way to go I have tried cycling all the way to Canary Wharf and through the foot tunnel at Greenwich, but this part of the journey is too slow, due to the variable reliability of the lifts at the tunnel, and having to dismount through the tunnel itself (a bridge over the Thames would save me 15-20 minutes). Also, it’s a long enough bike ride to warrant a shower at the office, and I’m not willing to invest the time to do this (although we do have fairly good facilities at my office). My current route is just long enough to get some fresh air and a little exercise, without breaking into a sweat. I usually wear jeans, but I can get away with smarter outfits as long as I pack the high heels to change into later. All in all, this ride is a great way to start the day. It takes the same amount of time as taking the train – and it’s a guaranteed seat with no secondhand music thumping away.
ABOUT THE RIDE Distance: 4.5 miles Time: 30 minutes High points: Fresh air, greenery and wildlife; the flatness of the route; the community feeling – saying good morning to all the dogwalkers; and joining the Ladywell Fields User Group. Low points: Bike theft; fear of mugging; wet weather; bike-blind traffic around Lewisham High Street; the innumerable potholes and bendy buses.
Jill Barrett
I took up cycling at age 30 after a 20-year gap. Once I had stopped falling off, I built cycling into my commute whenever possible. While I lived in Forest Hill, I used to cycle to Deptford Bridge DLR station. This proved expensive in terms of stolen bikes – more than once I could be found at Deptford Bridge with cut chain (or broken D-lock) in hand, tearfully ringing the police to get yet another claim number. Why anyone would want to steal an ancient ladies’ shopper bike locked up without the seat or a secondhand bike locked without the front wheel, I will never know. My current bike is a hybrid, not flashy, but functional and fun. Once I moved to Beckenham, I discovered that I could cycle to Lewisham almost entirely along riverpaths. I start by cycling through Kent House station and Cator Park, and along the Pool River to Sydenham. Then it’s through the Kangley Bridge Road industrial estate to Bell Green, where I pick up the Ravensbourne River before joining the path along the river and onto Catford Bridge railway station. In Ravensbourne Park I pick up the river again, and test my legs by cycling over the spiral path and over the railway line. After crossing Ladywell Fields, I come out by Ladywell station, and from Ladywell Road I cut round the back of Lewisham to avoid traffic. I turn left onto Lewisham High Street, and left again to avoid the main shopping street, cycling instead on the shared pavement behind the mall.
The return journey is a different matter in the dark winter months – I either risk riding on the road in the busy rush hour traffic or take a deep breath and cycle as fast as I can through the park, which is well lit, but not recommended for safety’s sake. I know this is risking a mugging, but I refuse to accept no-go areas because of the existence of low-lifes.
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Outward bound
A bright new world Brighton & Hove is one of Cycling England’s six ‘cycle demonstration towns’. Emma Friedlander looks at the effect the initiative is having on the area righton & Hove has money to spend on cycling. The city is one of six cycle demonstration towns and this means that between 2005 and 2008, it has £3m to invest in all things two-wheeled. The other towns and cities involved in the £17m Cycling England initiative aimed at getting local people onto bikes are Aylesbury, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster. The funding has allowed Brighton & Hove City Council to build new cycle lanes, improve safety and encourage more people to give cycling a go. And it seems to be working: cycling has increased by 79% along seafront cycle lanes in the past four years. “So many people in the city are passionate about cycling,” says Dean Spears, Brighton & Hove City Council’s principal transport planner for cycling. “Brighton & Hove is a great city to cycle in – you’ve got seafront on one side and the South Downs on the
B
CYCLING IN BRIGHTON & HOVE www.journeyon.co.uk Details cycle lanes and assistance planning your route.
www.visitbrighton.com Hotels, restaurants and attractions. The office is at Royal Pavilion Shop, Royal Pavilion, 4-5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE (09067 112 255).
www.southernrailway.com Bikes are not allowed on peak time trains, but at other times can be transported from London free of charge. Folding bikes are allowed at all times.
www.sustrans.org.uk Cycle routes for all abilities around Brighton & Hove and Sussex.
other. It’s a fantastic area to explore by bike.” To date, the lion’s share of the city’s funding has gone towards engineering works. The council is constructing a route linking the Downs to Hove seafront, which is set to become a main cycling artery. The cash has also helped build New Road, a space in the city centre designed to give pedestrians and cyclists the same right to the road as motorists. In March it hosted a performance by local theatre group Bicycle Ballet. The city’s schools have also benefited. In partnership with cycle charity Sustrans, 1,000 young people in the city receive free cycle safety training each year under the Bike It initiative. In January, the first school in the city was linked to the national cycle network thanks to a new walking and cycling path. While engineering projects form the backbone of the council’s work, there’s also room for more unusual ideas. Last year, Madeira Drive on the seafront was closed to traffic during a highly successful car-free day which attracted hundreds of visitors and events, including a surgery for broken bikes and a Bicycle Ballet show. The next car-free days on September 22 and 23 will again bring bikes to the masses. Cycling has never been bigger, better or easier in Brighton & Hove. Emma Friedlander is a transport planner with Brighton & Hove City Council
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Outward bound
GREAT EXCUSES TO VISIT BRIGHTON & HOVE Brighton Festival: May 5-28 (www.brightonfestival.org) London to Brighton bike ride: June 17 (www.bhf.org.uk) Bike Week: June 16-24 (www.bikeweek.org.uk Pride: August 4 (www.brightonpride.org) Car-free Days: September 22 and 23 Paramount Comedy Festival: October 4-20 (www.brightoncomedyfestival.com)
Opposite page and left: Bike ballet during Brighton’s car-free day Top left: A boy takes a rest during Brighton’s car-free day celebrations Above: Brighton’s famous pier
ROUTES TO TRY Brighton and Hove Coastal Route on NCN2 (suitable for all abilities) Starting from Shoreham Harbour at Southwick beach, this nine-mile pedal to Rottingdean is mainly on the flat. Past Shoreham Power Station, and immediately before Basin Road South, the path veers left and joins the A259 coast road. On leaving the harbour, the route leads past Hove Lagoon. At the traffic lights, cross over to the pavement and join the traffic-free cycle route. The route heads seaward, around the King Alfred leisure complex. Keep going past Hove Lawns and the uniform turquoise rears of the brightly fronted beach huts and further on to the custard-coloured Regency elegance of Brunswick. You’ll soon find yourself at the Angel of Peace statue that marks the boundary between Brighton and Hove. The off-road path ends at Brighton Pier, and cyclists are directed onto Madeira Drive, past the Volks railway. Ahead are the low-level buildings and sea wall of Brighton Marina. Head upwards and eastwards on the cliff-top off-road cycle route towards Rottingdean, past pitch-and-putt and Roedean School. Pedestrians can take the wide undercliff walkway skirting this quiet, unspoilt stretch of shoreline (a change in the byelaw to allow cyclists to use this undercliff has been approved). The descent towards historic Rottingdean, past the black Rottingdean Windmill, is an exhilarating precursor to lunch in one of the village’s many friendly cafés or pubs. Enjoy!
West Hatchington
Preston BRIGHTON
HOVE
National Cycle Network on road route National Cycle Network traffic free route
Kemp Town
Here is a more challenging route into the South Downs (two-three hours) This route is variable when you get into the Downs with many tracks to explore. This is a rough guide. From Brighton station, cycle south down Queen’s Road to the seafront NCN2 route. Turn left and follow this route to Madeira Drive. Turn left, crossing the road to Wilson Avenue and head north, turn first right onto Rodean Road and you’ll see on your left the off-road route that takes you through the fields of Sheepcote Valley. From here on it’s pretty much all offroad, with some really challenging gradients. Head on up north to Brighton Racecourse. When you get to the top, cross over Bear Road and pick up the path on the other side and cross over Falmer Road. Then it’s north-east up past the communications mast until you find the left turn for the South Downs Way. From here until Devil’s Dyke, look out for the South Downs Way signs. Follow the track north and head for Ditchling
Beacon, crossing the A27 on a farm bridge, and you’re now in the depths of the Downs. The beacon has some of the most spectacular views in East Sussex, so be prepared for tough hill climbing (keep an eye out for the ice-cream van at the top). Head west towards the Clayton windmills, taking a left just before and following the track through New Barn Farm until you get to the crossroads north of Pyecombe Golf Course. Keep heading west and you’ll come to the A273 which you’ll need to follow down to School Lane, then straight on at the crossroads. At the bottom of Church Hill, take the bridge over the road and pick up the track again. Take the south-west turning after Harsedean and you’re back in the countryside, where you head for Saddlescombe. You’ll pick up the road again which you follow south-west, crossing diagonally to the fields on the other side. Pick up the track that’ll take you to the Devil’s Dyke. You’re now in West Sussex. It’s all downhill from here! Heading south-east, the track runs adjacent to the road and picks up Sustrans Regional Route 82 Dyke Railway Trail. After you find the residential areas again and cross over the main road, turn left and you’ll find yourself on Downland Drive. Cross over to Goldstone Crescent and as you get to the junction at the bottom of the road, you’ll see Hove Park. Take the path through the park, turning off before Hove Park Road, and head up it until you see Hove Rec. Come out of the Rec at the south-west corner on Shirley Drive and head down the drive where you’ll find yourself on the seafront a mile and a half west of where you began.
Dave Flindall, BritainOnView, VisitBrighton
Right: A cyclist walks her bike through the North Laines shopping area
LONDON CYCLIST June/July 2007 47
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Dispatches
Sunshine through the rain Cycle advocacy has moved up a gear in Greater Vancouver. Jack Becker reports on initiatives to improve conditions for cyclists on the west coast of Canada
The work pays off All this effort for what? Sometimes one wonders. Then, a bike deck is built on a major new rapid transit river crossing, a facility cyclists would not be using next spring without the efforts of the VACC and BEST, an alternative transportation group. Members wrote letters and media releases, and made telephone calls and presentations to TransLink’s board. The CA$12 million bike deck was approved, despite senior staff opposing it. In other efforts, the transit system has been made more cyclistfriendly, and infrastructure better reflects designs promoted by the VACC. Progress is happening.
The challenge of campaigning Focused advocacy on one organisation is not a reality with 21 municipalities, 21 sets of technical and planning staffs, 21 sets of politicians and one airport authority. Then there is TransLink, the body responsible for transportation, and the Provincial Ministry of Transportation, which looks after highways and some bridges. VACC aims to influence politicians and staff through Bicycle Advisory Committees and by persuading cyclists to attend meetings and get involved in projects affecting the streets. The VACC undertakes several educational and awareness initiatives for children and adults, including a kids’ bike safety rodeo, commuter cycling skills courses, Bike to Work Week, lectures. It also operates tables at events.
Bikes bring the hills to life The cycling streetscape is changing in the City of Vancouver, the region’s largest municipality with 550,000 inhabitants within 114km². What differentiates the city, home to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, from London are the hills rising up to 125 metres above the sea. Cycling in Vancouver means climbing hills, one after another. What the two cities have in common is the rain: keep your rain gear in your pannier – you’ll need it. Vancouver is the hotbed of cycling in this region: 4.1% of commuters cycle to work (up to 8.7% in some areas), quadrupling the figures from 20 years ago. About 9% of residents cycle at least once a week, 14% cycle once in a year, and another 13% are willing to ride under the right conditions. Today, there are 24km
Pictured: Cyclists enjoy the roads in Vancouver’s Downtown Peninsula
of bike lanes, 27km of bike paths, and 151km of cycle routes. Tourists make use of the primarily flat cycling on the Seaside Path, which runs 28km from Burrard Inlet to Stanley Park, English Bay and the University Lands in the west. The Downtown Peninsula is bike-friendly, while the Burrard bike lane takes cyclists to Kitsilano via a bridge. Popular bike routes connect Strathcona and Mount Pleasant suburbs with the Dunsmuir bike lane leading to Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore. The shopping streets of Robson, Davie and Denman are serviced by bike lanes. Suburban bike routes pass from cherry tree-lined streets to picturesque mountains with sea views, past botanical gardens to universities perched above the city. The Seaside Path passes Granville Island with its artistic shops, educational institute and market. Cycling advocacy is moving towards a European-style of thinking. There are traffic-calmed bike routes, cyclist-activated traffic signals, and a 100% bike-rack equipped bus fleet will be on the roads next year. All of these efforts have spurred cycling growth.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hans-Jurgen (Jack) Becker is a director and treasurer of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (www.vacc.bc.ca), director of the British Columbia Cycling Coalition, and a member of the City of Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee. He has been actively involved in cycling advocacy for the last 16 years, including in Toronto and Calgary. Touring is one of his pleasures and he has cycled extensively in Canada, the United States and New Zealand, and a little in Germany, Belize and Hawaii.
Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
The mighty Fraser River, a salmon highway, gushes westward past a large delta and pours into the Pacific Ocean. The Coast Mountains fence in flat land along the Strait of Georgia shoreline, and the US border lies just to the south. This is Greater Vancouver. Here, 350 volunteer members of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) campaign within a community that has a love of the outdoors and the environment. Motorists in the region tend to be tolerant of cycling, with a majority owning bicycles, though often underutilised. The climate is conducive to cycling year-round, except on rare snowy days.
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Interview
My bike & I Paul Smith We chat to the UK’s most famous designer about learning to ride, his dreams of cycling professionally and where he’ll be watching the Tour
A young Paul Smith with his bike
Tell us about your bike. I’ve got several bikes ranging from a 1970s Harry Hall road bike through to several Trek bikes, road and mountain plus a traditional town bike from Holland and, of course, my beautiful handmade Mercian. Apart from actually riding the bike, like many cyclists, I love the actual bikes themselves. When I first started to cycle at the age of 11, I used to keep my bike in my bedroom and simply enjoyed just looking at it as well as riding it. Where do you most enjoy riding? I’m lucky enough to have a house in Italy and I keep a Trek mountain bike there which I use mostly during my holidays, starting off with very, very short rides at the beginning of the holiday and improving as my holiday has an effect. I also keep a bike at my studio in Paris, the Dutch ‘sit up and beg’ which I use every day when I’m there. Unfortunately in London I don’t use a bike too often these days as I always seem to have too much to carry. When you do get the chance to cycle in London, where do you ride? Just from my home in west London to work in Covent Garden. How busy are the bike racks at your shops? At our HQ in Covent Garden we have a 150 staff, and many of them have bikes and the basement is getting pretty crowded. Do you remember your very first time on a bike? Paul Smith today in cycling continued and I have attended races and seen the Tour of Italy and Tour I learnt to ride a bike when I was around six. I was de France, and had contact with several teams, taught by my dad, but the turning point for me was including T-Mobile. when I was bought my first racing bike at the age of 11 What sort of impact will the Tour have on London? and I joined the local cycle club. The first thing I must say before I answer the question What’s the best thing about being a cyclist? is let’s hope London is ready for the Tour, especially The sense of freedom which I especially appreciated at from a safety point of view. When the Tour of Britain 11 when I was for the first time out on my own on club runs without my parents. The fresh air, the exercise, the came to London last year, I think there were some safety issues, pedestrians wandering across the road sound of the tyres and the wind in your face. as the race approached, not realising the speed of Do you consider yourself a good cyclist? the cyclists and the entourage of vehicles. (Otherwise) As a racing cyclist from the age of 12 to 18 I aspired I think the tour will have an exciting impact in the city to become a professional but almost certainly would because for anyone who’s not experienced it, the never have been good enough, but I did have a few atmosphere is amazing. Maybe it will give a taste of races where I finished in the top 10. Best place ever things to come with the Olympics. was sixth – there were only six in the race! (Joke!) Where will you be watching the Tour? Your dreams of riding professionally were cut short I’ve been invited to ride with one of the teams – lucky me! by an accident. Can you tell us more about this? And you’re releasing a Tour de France jersey ... When I was out training one day, I collided with a car Yes, we’ve done a special Tour de France jersey with – my fault, head down, not looking! This put me in Rapha plus a collection called 531 after the famous hospital for three months with lots of broken bits and pieces, but the accident meant that I became a design- tubing. 531 is part of Paul Smith Jeans and is an urban-inspired cycling collection. er because after leaving hospital I met up with some Has your love of riding rubbed off on your family? friends and they suggested a pub in my home town, My wife’s seven-year-old grandson this week rode for Nottingham, to meet up. By chance this was the pub the first time without his stabilisers and he was very, that the local art students drank at. After several visits very pleased: “I can do it,” he shouted! I got to know some of the students who were studyIf you could do one thing on two wheels, what ing architecture, painting, photography, graphics and would it be? fashion. I realised I was hooked on the world of design Ride one of the mountain stages of the Tour. and the rest, as they say, is history. But my interest
Paul Smith
“I’ve been invited to ride with one of Tour de France teams – lucky me!”
PAUL SMITH Paul Smith’s Tour de France jersey will be released in his shops (call 0800 023 4006 for locations) to coincide with the Tour’s visit to London. The jersey follows the release last year of Paul Smith bikes through the manufacturer Mercian. For more on the designer and his work, see www.paulsmith. co.uk.
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