www.lcc.org.uk
October/November 2008
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Cycle classics London’s bike builders
L A I C E P S Y A D H T BIR ISSUE
N I W d i a lim te
edition b Witcom racer
PLUS Carrying things on your bicycle Help teach new cyclists to ride
■■NEWS ■ PRODUCTS ■ PRODUCT ■ BOOKS ■ ZOE WILLIAMS ■ BOOKS ■ NEWS■■RIDES EVENTS & EVENTS REVIEWS
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Contents
October/November 2008 12
Issue 113
There's a corner store a few blocks from our place that I have always used when I'm on foot. The guy who owns it is friendly, often has time for a chat and makes sure he has on his shelves what we want to put in our bags. His shop is a nice, local alternative to the big-name supermarket a few corners away. But 'buying local' had always posed a problem when I was on my bike. There is no street furniture near the corner store and so there was nowhere to chain my bike while I ducked in for a pint of milk. Things changed recently when my man acquired a bike stand out the front, the result of a casual conversation we had one day when he mentioned that he hadn't seen me much lately. I had to confess that the supermarket up the road was much more bicycle-friendly. With LCC's retail parking campaign now in full swing, this story will hopefully be echoed in every corner of the capital. And with innovative parking solutions like the Cyclehoop (see page 6), there really is no excuse for businesses – large and small – not to be looking after customers who arrive by bike. On another exciting note, as LC goes to press, tens of thousands of us are setting off around the capital on the second annual London Freewheel. Our deadlines mean we have missed covering it in this issue, but keep an eye out for our report and photos in the December/January edition. There will also be coverage at www.lcc.org.uk Lynette Eyb
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49
18
Product reviews
Features COVER STORY
12 LCC celebrates 30 years A pedal down memory lane
18 London's bike builders
Reports from your part of town
28 Beat the credit crunch Bikes you can afford
COVER STORY
30 Baselayers, sprockets and headwear WIN!
We pay tribute to true craftsmen
Something for everyone
Technical 22 Teaching new cyclists
COVER STORY
Guidance for amateur trainers
34 Local group news
an Iron Horse Transit bike
Regulars COVER STORY
25 How to... carry things on your bike 26 Workshops
4 News plus director's column Includes London Cycling Awards, Boris' bike hire scheme, Tour de Hackney
Maintenance courses across the capital
10 Your letters plus Zoe Williams
WIN!
13 Opinion
See page 27 to win a limited edition LCC-branded bike, handmade by Witcomb Cycles
Is the grass greener in Europe?
31 Members’ pages Make the most of your membership
38 Diary Rides and events for all cyclists
42 Books ’n’ things plus Josie Dew Reviews plus our Fine Lines extract
45 My Way From Greenwich to the City
46 Outward Bound Exploring the French Ardennes
49 Dispatches On the road in Dubai (or not)
50 My bike & I Champion cyclist Cover: Tony Doyle Steve Boggs
london Cyclist Editor Lynette Eyb Product reviews Ian Cleverly Design Anita Razak Marketing & proofing Mike Cavenett Advertising Mongoose Media, Anthon Linton (020 7306 0300 ext 112, 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 the editorial team via 2 Newhams Row, London, SE1 3UZ (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. Editorial content is independent of advertising. 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. London Cycling Campaign is a charitable limited company, reg no 1766411; charity no 1115789 See page 31 for more on London Cycling Campaign
LONDON CYCLIST October/November 2008 3
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News Director’s column
Photos: Michael Stenning Signing In Deaf Club, Roland Stahel
Koy Thomson
One third of London under 12s are badly overweight. Perhaps a few will be inspired to go for a gold in future Olympics, but I can’t help but think that Boris’ proposed Olympic legacy of youth sport promotion falls short. London is also set to fail EU air quality standards and, if it fails, London will be in no shape to host the 2012 Olympics. What we need is a Popular Olympic Health Legacy (POHL) for 2012. A POHL (sorry about the acronym) would do three things: inspire health and everyday (not Olympian) activity in all of us – especially children; reduce dependency on motorised vehicles (and improve air quality); and regenerate and create new public spaces. Every time you cycle, persuade friends and family to cycle, and take part in LCC local group activities and campaigning, you are creating a health legacy open to all Londoners. The London Olympic bid was won on basis of inspiring youth and of creating a legacy “through the most extensive transformation London has seen for generations”. City life, by and large, inspires inactivity, leading to childhood obesity and heart problems. A really impressive Olympic legacy would aim to inspire health and activity in all children. If kids want to walk or cycle to school, make their way to the pool, pitch, court, park, velodrome or track, or simply pop wheelies or kick a ball on the streets, they should be able to in a city transformed for cycling and walking. It would be a much more social and visited London with public spaces regenerated and perhaps new iconic boulevards and squares: London itself would be a healthy space, not just a handful of sporting venues and unused gyms. A POHL would also mean achieving EU and Olympic air quality standards through decreased dependency on motorised vehicles. Now that would be a news story: a Popular Olympic Health Legacy that turned a city and a nation around. But this is not what the sport associations seem to want. They want money for real sports, not everyday activities such as cycling and walking. Never mind that the only realistic way to reverse the obesity crisis, to improve cardiovascular health and achieve the recommended 30 minutes exercise a day is through everyday activity.
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AN LCC CAMPAIGN
Hire scheme for 2010 Boris sets target for ‘Velib’ project delivery London will have its own Parisstyle mass bike hire scheme by summer 2010, following a pledge by Mayor Boris Johnson to accelerate the project’s implementation. Some 6,000 bikes would be located throughout Central London under the scheme, which will be modelled on the successful system currently in use in the French capital. Users would use credit or debit cards to hire the bikes, although the possibility of also using Oyster cards is also being explored. LC understands the scheme would not lead to a reduction in cycle stand space for privately owned bikes.
AN LCC CAMPAIGN
Adding cycle stands to the shopping list LCC has launched a campaign to boost the number of bike stands outside London’s shops. The campaign, in response to member requests, includes the distribution of a leaflet to shops – large and small – telling them of the benefits of providing parking for customers on bikes. It also tells them how to go about having bike stands installed. A downloadable letter is available on the LCC website for members who want to lobby shops in their neighbourhood. The website also contains information for shopkeepers to help them persuade their local council to install a bike stand, and to let HOW TO GET INVOLVED See www.lcc.org.uk/campaigns to download the template letter to help lobby for parking at shops in your area. Members without internet access should call the LCC office (details on page 31). The website also has information on the campaign for parking at tourist attractions.
them know how to find a bike stand installer. The retail parking campaign follows a similar campaign targeting tourist attractions.
It is hoped that LCC’s retail parking campaign will lead to better cycle parking at shops
LCC NEWS
Member discount available at Cycle 2008 LCC members can buy tickets for Cycle 2008 at Earl’s Court (October 10-12) at a reduced price – £9 in advance. This is a saving of £5 off the price on the day, so it’s well worth buying tickets beforehand. This vast cycling event includes the latest 2009 bikes from major brands, along with an LCC stand, test tracks, celebrity Q&A sessions, an indoor duathalon, a street
course, clothing zone and fashion show. LCC will be located at stand E1b, with staff and volunteers on hand every day to hand out expert information on cycling in the capital. You can also see the beautiful Witcomb bike (see p27) that LCC is giving away as a competition prize. For more details on Cycle 2008, see www.cycleshow. co.uk
For more news, go to www.lcc.org.uk 6/9/08 22:33:36
News
Send items for the news pages to news@lcc.org.uk or write to the address on page 3
LCC NEWS
Spotlight on bike projects
in brief
Closing date looms for London Cycling Awards
London Freewheel
The best community cycling projects will be under the spotlight during this year’s London Cycling Awards – and it’s not too late to nominate a potential winner ahead of the October 24 closing date. LCC director Koy Thomson said the awards were an ideal opportunity to bring recognition to the work of a community group or organisation that has worked to promote cycling in London. “If you think there is a new and deserving project out there here’s your chance to reward it,” he said. “It could be a community initiative, a project at a school or workplace or a piece of cycling infrastructure like a new bike route or useful cycle parking.” Nominations are open to anyone – you can even nominate yourself or your own organisation. The awards are open to Londonbased projects that have been implemented or completed since
AN LCC CAMPAIGN
Bike business award
April 2007. This year’s award categories are: ◆ Best Cycle Facility; ◆ Best Community Cycling Initiative; ◆ Best Cycling Initiative for Young People or Children; ◆ Best Workplace Cycling Initiative. Last year winners included the Signing In Deaf Club and Hackney
The Signing In Deaf Club was among the winners at the 2007 London Cycling Awards Borough Council’s permeability project. Advice on how to make a nomination can be found at www.lcc.org.uk. Winners will be announced at LCC’s AGM on November 19.
LCC NEWS
Train operator needs to be more flexible, says LCC LCC is urging rail operator, London Overground, that it needs to be more flexible to ensure commuters using bicycles have better access to trains. The north London rail operator has a blanket ban on its network between 7am and 10am, and again from 4pm to 7pm, despite admitting that many train services are not crowded during these hours. LCC’s campaigns and development manager, Tom Bogdanowicz, has criticised the company’s policy, describing it as “being a blunt instrument that deters people from cycling”. He said the policy also reduced revenue for the train operator. “Hopefully, London Overground will recognise the need for selective restrictions until it can introduce longer trains,” he said.
A north London businesswoman who promotes the use of electric-powered bikes has been named a regional winner in the 2008 HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards. Naomi Aptowitzer started ZiPee Bikes, a social enterprise and business, two years ago to provide an economical and environmentally friendly method of transport. An educational arm of the business – the People’s Environment Initiative – was established in August last year to raise awareness via schools, community groups and youth services. The overall winner of the awards will be announced on October 29.
Save £100 on holiday
Tour de Hackney a success More than 50 LCC volunteers helped make the inaugural Tour de Hackney in August an incredible success. The ‘veloteers’ acted as marshals, guiding novice riders and families around borough streets. “It was great to have a fun day out and do something positive,” said volunteer Helen Bray. “I met loads of like-minded people, and got a buzz from watching riders wobbling on the routes. Without our help, some of the riders might never have got on a bicycle today.” The Tour de Hackney, part of the Shoreditch Festival, attracted more than 4,000 cyclists. Keen cyclists completed a 12-mile route taking in London Fields, Victoria Park, Hackney Marshes and the Olympic Park site; others stuck to a four-mile route between Shoreditch Park and London Fields. In Shoreditch Park there were Dr Bike workshops, bike polo, unicycle hockey, Bicycle Ballet and safety courses. Hackney won the Best Bike Borough Award at the London Transport Awards 2006, and Best Cycling Facility at the 2007 London Cycling Awards (above) for improving routes for cyclists in the borough.
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Our October/November issue deadlines have meant we have been unable to include the Tour of Britain or London Freewheel in this issue of LC. However, keep an eye out for our December/January issue, which will carry a report and photographs from Freewheel – high resolution images from readers are invited via londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk
The June/July issue of LC featured an Outward Bound article on Tuscany (you can still download the article at www. lcc.org.uk/italy). Now LCC members can get £100 off the cost of any Chain Gang bike tour in Italy. Ask Chain Gang about the discounts when you call 01392 662 262, and mention your LCC membership number when you book. For information and details of available tours, see www.thechaingang.co.uk
New cycling website Transport for London (TfL) has relaunched its cycling website, www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling, with the new-look site aimed at everyone from new or occasional cyclists to regular cycle commuters. Mayor Boris Johnson says he hopes it will become a “one-stop-shop” for anyone thinking of taking to two wheels in the capital.
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News
Boroughs trial Cyclehoop Innovative design offers bike parking solution
A winning design from the Reinventing The Bike Shed competition, launched by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Design Against Crime as part of the 2006 London Architecture Biennale, is being installed on the streets of Southwark and Islington. The Cyclehoop is a robust steel ring that clamps onto street signposts, instantly creating secure bicycle stands. This device is being tested in 37 locations, including Southwark tube and Borough Market, and will help to fulfill London’s urgent need for bicycle parking. Mayor Boris Johnson has promised to install 13,000 bicycle stands across the capital, using a budget of £2 million.
LCC NEWS
Wear LCC on your sleeve You can now show your support for LCC by wearing a stylish T-shirt. Originally produced for LCC staff and volunteers, the LCC-branded T-shirts have been so popular they are now on sale to members and to the general public. Priced at £10 (plus £1.50 post and packing), the bold design is a great way to show your support. The T-shirts come in chunky men’s sizes in red, orange, black and green, and in a women’s cut in pink, red, light blue and dark blue. Call 020 7234 9310 to check if your size is in stock. You can pay over the phone, or send a cheque or postal order (payable to ‘London Cycling Campaign’) to 2 Newhams Row, London, SE1 3UZ.
Available in five colours, Cyclehoop is a cheerful addition to the urban scenery. It was designed by 27-year-old Anthony Lau, a self-proclaimed cycling fanatic. The advantage Cyclehoop has over the ubiquitous U-shaped Sheffield stand is that it does not require concreting into the pavement and can be installed within minutes. Lau is working to adapt Cyclehoop so it fits other types of street furniture. “Cyclists are forced to lock their bicycles to street furniture as there are often no bicycle stands nearby,” says Anthony. “However, poorly locked bicycles can fall over and cause obstruction, and thieves can lift locked bicycles over signposts. Cyclehoop is a simple and neat solution.” The low height of Cyclehoop discourages cyclists from locking the top tube only (a major cause of theft), while its circular shape allows cyclists to lock through the frame and both wheels. Despite his successes so far, Lau says that it is not easy turning an idea into a product. He spent over a year developing the prototype, negotiating the trial with the councils, and sourcing a manufacturer and organising the installation. “It has been steep learning curve but I really enjoyed the challenge,” he said.
The freedom of two wheels
Boris shelves piazza Plans to transform Parliament Square into a pedestrianised piazza in time for the 2012 Olympics have been shelved by Mayor Boris Johnson, who is reviewing the proposals amid concern that closing off streets would cause traffic jams. A number of other proposals relating to public spaces are also under review. “There are some differences about some of the proposals currently on the drawing board and I don’t want to get dragged into a discussion because a lot of them are under review now,” he told Building Design magazine. “But I’m strongly attracted personally to things which give people a sense of ownership over public space, particularly cyclists.”
New Olympic venue The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has confirmed that the venue for the mountain biking events will be at Hadleigh Farm, Essex. The venue covers 550 acres and is close to the village of Hadleigh, near Benfleet.
Money for walking
Kingston Council’s Road Safety and Travel Awareness Unit is working with the police and Refugee Action Kingston to help some of the borough’s newest citizens get around on bikes. Kingston police are donating recovered and unclaimed stolen bicycles to the scheme so that cycle instructors from the council can make them roadworthy and ‘recycled’ them back into the community. The instructors
assign the bikes to refugees and teach them to ride over a series of lessons. At the end of the final lesson, the bikes are handed over to the cyclists to keep. “This is one of the most rewarding schemes we do,” said cycle training co-ordinator Eric Chasseray. “To teach someone to ride is one thing, but to give these people the means to travel and carry out journeys independently is a fantastic achievement.”
LCC NEWS
New JustGiving web page online Raising money for LCC is now easier than ever using a new JustGiving web page. If you’re competing in an event like a sponsored bike ride, it’s now easy to create a personalised web page, meaning friends, family and colleagues can make a donation. You can upload pictures and information about yourself and the event, and the site tracks donations and can automatically send out an thank you message to donors. You can also donate directly to LCC using a payment card from the JustGiving website. Check out www.justgiving.com/londoncycling
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in brief
Transport for London (TfL) will invest £20m in walking schemes in 2008/09. Improved conditions for walkers would also be derived from a range of TfL and TfL-funded borough programmes, areabased schemes, interchange improvements and footway maintenance and renewal programmes.
Parking in Hackney Hackney Homes’ estates are being geared up to accommodate the needs of the large number of cyclists in the borough. Frampton Park Estate in Homerton has installed bike lockers right across the estate to offer safe and convenient storage facilities for cyclists. Initiated by residents and funded by Transport for London, the 56 two-metre high galvanised steel lockers are now available for residents of the estate to rent at affordable prices.
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News
AN LCC CAMPAIGN
Broad Walk available as part of an extended trial The Royal Parks has re-opened the Regent’s Park Broad Walk to cyclists as a shared pedestrian cyclist route as part of an extended 18-month trial. The shared use will be monitored during the first 12 months, with the outcomes of the trial assessed during the final six months. A successful trial would see the path opened to cyclists on a permanent basis. The Broad Walk was last open to cyclists in 2007 as part of a shorter trial. Jean Dollimore of Camden Cycling Campaign welcomed the trial. “This is great for cyclists using routes in and around Regent’s Park,” she said. “We are keen to now see the route continued towards the Marylebone Road. The Royal Parks are reluctant to have it running down the southern section of the Broad Walk (through the gardens), preferring instead the path parallel to the Outer Circle, the path running to
The Broad Walk will help open up beautiful Regent’s Park to commuter and leisure cyclists
Park Square West or the diagonal path heading towards York Gate, so there is work still to be done on this and unfortunately no timetable for these potential extensions.” LCC’s campaigns manager Tom Bogdanowicz also welcomed the move. “Regent’s Park was the only Royal Park without any cycle access – opening up Broad Walk builds on the popular schemes in Hyde Park and Richmond,” he said. “LCC members and its canals and parks group have been working with Royal Parks for many years to ensure the success of the new scheme. Cyclists are urged to show particular consideration when using the park. “We now want to push for more routes in the north of the park – for instance proper cycle access from the Broad Walk to Primrose Hill, and also a link from the Broad Walk to Gloucester Gate – which could be developed with the Council as greenways.”
Hog Hill circuit finally opens
Wandsworth’s gold medallist hopes to inspire others
The new Redbridge Cycle Circuit at Hog Hill was officially opened on August 19 by Mayor Boris Johnson. The hilly circuit commands fine views west across the London skyline. The venue includes an 800-metre Indy circuit, a full two-kilometre loop and a mountain bike circuit. The controversial Hog Hill circuit was built by the London Development Authority and is intended to be a stop-gap replacement for the Eastway circuit, which was closed to make way for work on the new Olympic Park site in East London. The Eastway Cycle Circuit was legendary – the great Eddy Merckx raced there – and for many years it was one of the best cycle racing circuits in the country.
Londoners played a large part in Team GB’s cycling medal haul at the Beijing Olympic Games. Bradley Wiggins, who grew up in Maida Vale, added to his medals from the Athens 2004 Olympics with golds in the team and individual pursuit events. Rebecca Romero, from Carshalton, took individual pursuit gold, while Wandsworth-born Emma Pooley picked up silver in the individual time trial. Pooley told The Evening Standard that she hoped her efforts would inspire others to take to two wheels. “I just love riding and I hope people were
watching back home and that a few more people will take up cycling because of this,” she said. “I hope it inspires people because cycling – not just competitive cycling – is so much fun and I can tell you I wouldn’t do this at all unless I really enjoyed it. “This is a great time for cycling. It’s just getting more popular all the time, becoming more of a way of life again, what with green issues and because petrol prices are rising. ” Teammate Nicole Cooke agreed, describing the years leading up to the London 2012 Olympics as “such an exciting time for cycling”.
Kensington & Chelsea backs better cycle access The permeability principle, whereby maximum route choices are provided to cyclists and pedestrians to allow them to commute via the shortest distance, was well explained by Trevor Parsons in the August/September issue of London Cyclist. Days later, deputy leader of the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Daniel Moylan, was putting it into practice. Mr Moylan said his borough would allow cyclists
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to travel in both directions along six minor one-way streets. “We are recognising the reality that cyclists prefer to take the shortest route through quieter streets,” he said. If the trial is successful, Kensington & Chelsea will make the traffic orders permanent, and look at extending the programme of cycling contraflows. Mayor Boris Johnson told LC he’d be watching the trial with great interest.
in brief AGM information Every copy of this issue of LC should have included an insert outlining the details of LCC’s 2008 Annual General Meeting in November. If your copy is missing the insert, please phone the LCC office (details page 31) and the information will be mailed out to you. AGM information is also online at www.lcc.org.uk
LCC members' survey Don’t forget to take part in the 2008 LCC members’ survey – you could win £200 worth of cycling vouchers to spend at the cycling shop of your choice. You’ll also be helping LCC continue to make the maximum contribution to cycling in London and deliver the greatest benefit to members. All information will remain confidential – in fact, you don’t even have to provide any details other than your email address (though you will need to include your name if you want to go into the prize draw). See www.lcc.org.uk/survey for details.
Cycle fashion wins Hackney Council has won a London Smarter Travel Award for its ‘Wheels and Heels’ fashion show. Hackney’s Streetscene Team picked up the Marketing and Travel Awareness Event of the Year Award, which recognises outstanding sustainable travel work in London’s local authorities, schools and businesses. The Wheels and Heels event in February saw Columbia Road transformed into a catwalk for cycle style during London Fashion Week.
Two-way access Cyclists were among this year’s winners for funding under Southwark Council’s Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) programme. Members of Southwark Cyclists and Southwark Living Streets had put in bids for two local roads to be made two-way for cyclists. The roads are Chapter Road and Penton Place. Penton Place is currently one-way only for all users between the mini roundabout on Manor Place and the junction with Penrose Street.
Photos: BritainOnView, Kingston Council
Regent’s Park opens up
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Letters Have your say My Bike & I debate rumbles on Jean Elliott and Colin Newman give some excellent examples of the correct usage of “me” and “I” (Letters, Aug/Sep), but I disagree with their view that “My bike & I” is acceptable as a title. A simple test to determine whether to use “me” or “I” in a given situation is to remove the other object from the equation and see what you are left with. Then try it out with “me” and “I” in turn and it soon becomes apparent which is correct. For example, take Mr Newman’s sentence, “My bike and I squeezed onto the train”, remove the bike and we are left with a choice of “Me squeezed onto the train” or “I squeezed onto the train”. Clearly the latter is the correct one and so it follows that “My bike and I squeezed onto the train” is also correct. “My bike & I” as a title can be subjected to the same test. Take away the bike part and we are left with just “Me” or “I”. Except perhaps in some abstract sense, “I” alone as a title is meaningless, whereas “Me”, although somewhat banal, does at least tell us the likely subject of the article. If, as I contend, “I” as a title is invalid, then so indeed is “My bike & I” – and it sure as heck sounds ugly. Antony Evans, by email I’d favour using “My Bike And Me” because of the subject of the article: “[This Article Is About] My Bike and Me”. One would not say “This Article Is About I”, so why should the insertion of “My Bike” make it acceptable? Angie Baxter, Kingston Cyclists demand too much What is all this fuss about being a cyclist? The advantage of cycling is that it’s instant and no trouble to anyone. So why do we want to be expensive nuisances by demanding 20mph speed limits and our own roads? I have been cycling for many years and have belonged to the LCC for 16 years. Drivers have always been considerate – until now. Our demands are making us unpopular. If young cyclists they are frightened on the road, try walking. Also, us serious cyclists, who cycle over 100 miles a week, over the years save money, pay off our mortgage and get the best cars but still cycle for pleasure. The article
by Michael Stenning, ‘The art of street cycling’ (LC, April/May) is the finest of all. Jane Lawrence, Brockley Riding along the canals I was touched to read of children seeking consideration from cyclists using the route by the Grand Union Canal (Letters, June/July). In my commute from Wapping to the Isle of Dogs along the Thames Path, I see cases of cyclists speeding along, totally oblivious to other users of this route. I do sometimes draw attention to their behaviour by shouting “slow down!”, but I can’t help thinking we will end up with the council erecting barriers if a major accident happen. Mick O’Rorke, by email Crossing the line I sympathise with pedestrians troubled by cycling on pavements, towpaths and in parks, but whenever I cycle on a shared path with separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, I’m surprised and annoyed that there are just as many pedestrians in the cycle lane. Do cycle lanes need clearer marking or do most pedestrians not mind mixing with cycles after all? Michael Stuart, Kilburn Motorcycles in bus lanes I read with interest your discussion with Boris Johnson in the Aug/Sep magazine on whether motorcyclists should use bus lanes. I have been cycling to work for three years and, before that, I had a 50cc scooter. The issue for scooters that are restricted to 30mph is that on some main roads – such as the one between Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station – they become a nuisance to motorists who want to make up for lost time. The result being that they are under-taken at speed, which is a scary experience. Boris is right that we need to take into account all road users. We should show solidarity with motorised two-wheelers and welcome them as shared users of the bus lane since, on the whole, it would make the roads safer. We can then join forces and focus on the task of getting rid of bendy buses that affect us all. This does not take away the excellent progress made by the LCC in promoting the cause of the cyclist, but it would move us
away from being a narrowly defined protest group to a legitimate partner in the debate of London transport. I remain a loyal supporter of your campaign. David Kelly, SW6 Interview
han
My bike & I Dermot Murnag chats The Sky News presenter cycling, to LC about commuter perfect triathlon training and his day on two wheels very first time on a bike? Do you remember your it? Can you tell us about photograph count? I remember a Does a three-wheeler largeof two on a bright red, of me at about the age on the back. wheeled one with a box memories two-wheeler? What What about your first
do you have of that? car wheels in the Odeon cinema I learnt to ride on two in York. I got my first proper park opposite my house had it six for Christmas. I only bike when I was five or along out of our garden shed, for a day – it was nicked Day. I still new bikes on Boxing with my brothers’ shiny want it back. on you enjoy getting around What sort of bike do these days? Eagle for bomb-proof old British I’ve got two. A sturdy the I rode it for years with general riding about town. bike tyres on, but recently original knobbly mountain narrower, slicker and higher converted to something commuthuge difference to my pressure – it’s made a is for my feeble ing times. My other bike an Evans Pinnacle. triathlon attempts – it’s day-to-day cycling. Tell us more about your rides. (The first is) I have two types of regular on Do I enjoy it? Depends commuting into town. of the drivers I encounter. the weather and the mood around Regent’s laps usually it’s For triathlon training, or Richmond Park. do you enjoy riding Where else in the capital your bike? the in early London Any of the sights in central a c’s light and you can have morning when the traffi
feeling like a serious “Even if you’re not really spin on the bike does training session, a brief you the power of good”
bit of a stare. being the best thing about What do you think is a cyclist? immunity to traffic jams. Flexibility, health and a good cyclist? Do you consider yourself to endanger myself or I suppose so – I try not pedestrians. hates when it comes Do you have any pet to cycling? forms of my fellow Rather predictably, many As a regular car driver four-wheeled road users. a bike in traffic should be myself, I think riding a driving test to teach awareness. compulsory part of the seem to on other cyclists who I’m also not too keen It gives us pedestrians willy nilly. think they can scatter
you do for the ride? What preparations did Park or Richmond Park Laps around Regent’s saddle. regions to hours in the acclimatising my nether ride? Was that your longest By far. charity. London Triathlon for You’ve also done the and between cycling, running If you had to choose it be? swimming, which would convert ... Seriously? As a late Watching it on the TV to say the bike – it’s so to proper cycling, I’d have not really feeling like a varied. And even if you’re a brief spin on the bike serious training session, does you a power of good. the sunset on your bike, If you could ride off into to? where would you ride perfect and a bar serving the Anywhere with a beach at the end. pint of draught Guinness
all a bad name. day on your idea of a perfect Can you tell us about two wheels? suffered combustion engine has One where the internal a mysterious virus. ride from London to You took part in a charity in did you become involved Paris this year – how the ride? it to Skok who mentioned Through a friend John it’s supporting – CHASE me and the fantastic charity
a ABOUT DERMOT MURNAGHAN 9am-1pm and Eggheads, Sky News weekdays from and Dermot Murnaghan presents BBC Breakfast for five years to joining Sky, he anchored in quiz show, for BBC2. Prior with four children and lives for 11 years. He is married fronted ITV news bulletins for children, and this year of the Chase hospice care north London. He is a supporter CHASE supports families with cycle fundraiser to Paris. took part in the charity’s annual to reach their 19th birthday. who are not expected to live children and young people find out more. www.chasecare.org.uk to Visit the CHASE website at
hospice care for children.
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congestion Scrapping be in bus lanes? mayor’ really Motorbikes our first ‘cycling f with these charges? Can ? Judge for yoursel behind cycling written questions our answers to of a a champion in the shape LC: So, cycling has ‘cycling mayor’... as I cycle to work as much Mayor Boris Johnson: I am a to continue to do so. possible and I intend and am keen to see many staunch supporter of cycling, the their bikes and experience more Londoners get on many joys of cycling. in your is cycling centre stage LC: To what degree vision for a future London? of my vision for London. BJ: Cycling is a key element £55 million to develop This year I have committed with I am currently working cycling in London and (TfL) to develop ambitious Transport for London cycling. the numbers of people targets for increasing hire a central London bike My commitment to deliver with the parking and to work scheme, more cycle of cycle theft is further police to tackle the problem of my to put cycling at the heart evidence of my desire London. plans for transport in the fourth to treating cycling as LC: Will you commit and alongside buses, trains mode transport serious the tube? current fair to the users of all BJ: We will strive to be form of than developing some modes of travel. Rather the various between false hierarchy and competition I am interested in in London, modes of transport will be prompted to consider ensuring that Londoners don’t just open to them, and all options that are by the possibility of travelling automatically rule out put off reasons that people are bike. If there are specific possibility London – such as the the idea of cycling in reasons need to look at these we then – theft of cycle more clear that there is much and target them. It is keen to cycle in London. I am capacity for people to the expanded, that it receives ensure that cycling is is made that the idea of cycling funding to do so, and for all Londoners. more attractive and safe to boroughs would like LC: A number of London be a but insist that it must implement 20mph limits Will you back a London-wide London-wide initiative. and where people live, work 20mph limit on streets shop? of having proven safety benefit BJ: Where there is a for areas or near schools, a 20mph zone in residential be keen to see the borough example, then I would of both these for the benefit in question implement to However, I do not intend pedestrians and cyclists. as it on a London-wide basis impose such measures issues clearly know the specific is the boroughs that than safety problems far better of their traffic and road any mayor does. a new generation of road LC: How will you encourage and to create liveable streets traffic engineers to help 2008 16 August/September
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Helmet stance questioned I’m shocked at your reply to Matt Andrews’ helmet comments in the August/September LC, and LCC’s neutral stance regarding helmets. Where children are concerned, a firmer approach is required (ie all children under 18 should be by law required to wear a helmet). Your weak and non-commitial response was a big let down. LCC campaigns on all sorts of issues, and helmet wearing for cyclists should be high on LCC’s agenda. A weak stance is not what is required. Robert Myrie, by email
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encourage cycling? public spaces and to how keen we are to encourage BJ: We’ve made clear account this will be taken into a growth in cycling, and as will my commitments in all our future plans, public spaces and preserving regarding enhancing clear that there is limited green corridors. It is patently modern unlike some other more road space in London, that all so will we need to ensure in European cities, and other and share that space road users respect each effective way possible. the most efficient and asking signed LCC’s petition LC: Some 3500 people in bus for allowing motorbikes you to reconsider plans saying how unsafe they lanes – most left comments you stop them cycling. Are might it said some and to felt will undermine your plan worried that such a change increase cycling in London? modal shift away from BJ: I am keen to encourage have an motorcycles that believe the private car, and must in this. Further consultation important part to play use TfL’s motorcycles can legally be undertaken before and I will routes) and both TfL bus lanes (on the red on expressed the different views listen very carefully to a this proposal before implementation. can you justify supporting LC: How, as a cyclist, by cycle lobby groups? policy that is opposed I want to see all of London’s BJ: As mentioned above, in the available road space road users sharing the There effective way possible. most efficient and that allowing suggest to in is no statistical evidence lanes leads to a worsening motorcycles to use bus
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I could not conceive of a campaign more misguided and mean-spirited than LCC’s attempts to keep motorbikes out of bus lanes. In 18 years, I have never been cut up by a motorbike on any road. As a former motorcyclist, I know how stressful and dangerous it can be to filter past cars and stay out of a bus lane – you are just inches away from being knocked off by any car that strays into a bus lane. Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable of all road users. Be generous! Donald McCready, by email
Reporting dirty vehicles Is there a single point to report polluting vehicles to? Having received one faceful of black soot too many from a taxi, I had a go. I tracked down the relevant environmental department of the
POETRY CORNER An Open Letter to All of London’s Bicyclists If you find yourself in the wrong gear, and having to rise from the saddle, to pedal, away from a red light, then remember, when wearing Lycra, these words of caution, your pants, leave nothing, to the imagination. © Dominic O’Rourke 2008
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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)
Fixing a puncture In her review of the Pinhead Components locking system (Products reviews, June/July), Mel Allwood suggests that fixing a puncture requires the wheel to removed. Removing the wheel and replacing the inner tube (assuming one has a spare to hand) may sometimes be easier and quicker than patching the tube there and then, but it is not essential; removing the rear wheel on either of my bikes (a Brompton L5 and a Dawes with hub gears and brake) is not a task I relish. The inner tube can be removed from the tyre (do it on the opposite side to the chain) without recourse to wheel removal and in the vast majority of cases the hole can be found and patched once the tube is out of the tyre. This approach to puncture repair has gone off the radar since quick release became prevalent, but with our bikes bolted together more securely, it might come back into practice. Colin Newman, Barking Congratulations to our August/September prizewinner: Andrea Protheroe, N6, wins a Cyclechic vintage-style box bag
Zoe Williams Here’s something I’ve noticed: since the Olympics, everybody’s cycling faster. Everybody except me. It is not unusual for me now to reach my destination the last of 35 cyclists, all pedalling away with their hi-vis outerwear. I put this down to our Beijing triumph. Before that, there was always a man with a bandage or a girl in a light-coloured Mac and heels who was slower than me. I don’t understand what’s happened to those people. Perhaps they’ve been chased off the road by an Olympic committee, or maybe they’ve just got faster. All I know is, I am now definitely the slowest. Some possible explanations: men want the thighs of Chris Hoy. I saw a short piece in a newspaper wondering where he can possibly find trousers, and I have to say, until that moment, I hadn’t given his thighs any thought. Now I am obsessed with them. They have become the thigh gold standard against which all other thighs are measured. Can giant thighs walk the mortal Earth in regular (although large) trousers? Or are they like Kate Moss’ thighs – thighs you would never encounter in normal life, thighs that you’d only get to see if you were invited to a particular sort of party? Clearly, if I am this obsessed with the manthigh, and I’m not even a thigh woman, imagine how your casual male cyclist must feel. He must feel that, if he only had thighs like that, he would rule the world. No wonder he’s going a bit faster. Women, likewise, want to be Rebecca Romero, but not for her physique (though of course she is a stunner, yik yak yik yak), but because of the nice things people say about her. People just don’t talk about women in the public eye this way. Yes, yes, I might be drifting off clean, simple cycling onto muddy, complicated gender studies but, generally speaking, a woman is either pretty or attractive; or she’s a player, or a deal-maker, or some variant on ‘she appears to be clever, but here are some reasons why it’s not real intelligence, it’s more like low-cunning’; you never hear a woman praised for her endurance, tenacity, pain threshold, backbone, physical oomph. It sounds cool, though, doesn’t it? When you hear it, don’t you think, ‘I’d like a piece of that pie’? (Not real pie. That won’t bring you any closer to cycling glory.) And in consequence, don’t you want to cycle a bit faster? All of us, role models aside, have been somewhat affected by the impending London Games or, more precisely, the fear of being humiliated. It was one thing when we were allowed to choose the most athletic people in the country, and show them to the world. What happens when the world comes here and sees all of us? We’ve got to knuckle down – we can’t all hide behind Chris Hoy’s thighs and our rubbish logo. If we could all be a bit faster, we won’t be ashamed of ourselves in four years’ time. I think I have successfully outlined what’s occurring with everyone else. None of this explains why it hasn’t worked on me. Maybe there’s something wrong with my gears …
Photo: Peter Dench
My Way outrage I am writing to express how disappointed I was at the publication of Richard Gray’s commute from Ealing to Victoria (My Way, June/July). I realise that the question of cyclists obeying traffic laws is something which has healthy debate in London Cyclist, and I also know that there are many members of LCC who choose to flout the law. I choose to obey the law – I do not pass through red lights and I do not cycle on pavements or paths which are designated for pedestrians only. I would prefer it if LC encouraged cyclists to always stay within the law and to not publish articles where the writer casually describes breaking the law. Richard describes running red lights, mounting the pavement and riding on pedestrian-only paths within the Royal Parks. The right to cycle on certain paths through the Royal Parks, including Kensington Gardens, was fought for long and hard by members of LCC. I am grateful for those members who contributed so that I could enjoy a peaceful motor traffic-free section of my journey. I get angry when I
see cyclists who choose to cycle on the ‘no cycling’ paths. I feel that they do not realise that they may be jeopardising the right to cycle in the parks for everyone, plus they break the law and put other vulnerable park users at risk. Richard admits he has already had a cycle-on-cycle crash within the park. If his next victim is a child or a mother with a buggy, I am sure the decision to remove all cyclists from the park will be swift and final. I would like Richard to consider another route to work which does not involve a pedestrian path. He could continue up Bayswater Road and then turn right into Kensington Gardens at Black Lion Gate – a lovely downhill stretch down Broadwalk – then a left onto Mount Walk would lead him to the same crossing into Hyde Park. All safe and all legal. I would like you to review your editorial policy and consider editing out such comments or asking the writer to consider their actions and propose different routes. Sarah Blackburn, by email
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local authority, which was quite helpful, but passed me on to somewhere who passed me on to the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) for whom I completed a “Smoky vehicle” form. Pleased with myself, I reported a number of vehicles over subsequent months – there are a surprising number of real smokers out there, despite the tightening of MOT tests. Having reported the same vehicle twice, I made enquiries regarding what was actually being done with my reports. I was told that they could only take reports on commercial vehicles and not private cars or taxis. I’m sure that some years ago the Department for Transport had a ‘dirty diesels’ phone line, but I have long since lost it. Given the numbers of us on the roads, if we report the worst offenders, we ought to be able to significantly reduce the number of real smokers out there. Rupert Stanley, by email Ed: The Environmental Transport Association suggests calling the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency on 0870 6060 440.
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The cost of cycling perfection Matthew Wright uses his experience of a recent trip to The Netherlands to argue that if the UK is to develop a world-class cycling culture – and facilities to match – it will come at a price The sales assistant at Liverpool Street scrutinised her computer like a code-breaker in the final stages of the Enigma project. “I can’t find your reservation,” she said, staring at the printout of my booking. This was bad news. It was 6.30am. The trains were filling up with morning commuters who were casting suspicious, resentful glances at our heavily laden bikes. “It doesn’t matter,” she added. “No one will check. Just put them in the bike area.” There was only one train that would get us to Harwich in time for our ferry to Hook of Holland. If we missed that, we’d have to decide – and it was a finely balanced choice – whether swimming across with 30kg of kit each was preferable to spending six hours in Harwich until the next ferry. We ran for the train. Seeing a couple more bikes heading in the same direction, we ran a bit faster. Fortunately, the re-vamped intercity train had a proper guard’s van and ample space. In Harwich, we sped past the queues of cars and were having coffee in the onboard lounge within minutes of leaving the train. On arrival in Holland, we were expecting to find cyclists’ heaven just past the customs checkpoint. Instead we found a cross man in a blue peaked cap scrutinising our Stena Line rail and ferry tickets (which, at £50 return from the UK to any destination in The Netherlands, were a bargain). “Are you sure these include your bicycles?” he queried. I wasn’t entirely, but I had requested bike tickets when I booked. In many years of touring in the UK, I have rarely had to pay any extra to take my bike, and I have never, ever been asked to show a ticket for it. “I don’t think they do,” he continued, getting out his book of tickets out to charge us. “You should pay extra.” “We’re English – we don’t understand.” Thinking of his duty to Dutch tourism, he retreated, warning us to pay next time. We needed the excuse again the same day. This time, the stern
need lights to negotiate. Some of the main roads prohibiting cyclists have a good cycle path alongside, but some of the rural routes peter out in the middle of a maize prairie. Taking the only alternative, the main road, results in a hooting cacophony of caravanners and another awkward chat with a cop (have they no burglars to catch?)
representative of Dutch authority arrived in a car with flashing lights. We had caught the train from near Rotterdam into the countryside, before cycling into Germany. Hitting the open road Around Arnhem and the Hoge Veluwe National Park, there is beautiful cycling country. We only had to cycle 15km from Amersfoort station into the woods to a tranquil campsite by a lake. But we got lost, night was falling and the last section of the route was on narrow cycle paths through a shady wood. It seemed that there was a short cut along a quiet, well-lit A-road, so with rumbling stomachs and a tent to pitch, we decided to save the exploration of the wood until morning and go the simple way. Until the police spotted us. In the gloom I hadn’t seen the ‘no cycling’ sign. The road was one of a significant number of busy roads where bicycles are banned. My plea of ignorance was accepted, but the marked cycle path through the woods, pretty as it was, took three times as long and in the dark would
The reality of two-wheeled travel Of course, there is no doubt that overall cyclists are better served in The Netherlands. The cycle networks in towns are superb: safe, quick, and well signposted. Some of the cross-country routes are excellent too, making cycling between neighbouring towns a much less daunting expedition than it usually is in the UK. The fundamental difference is that cycling in The Netherlands is regarded as a grown-up means of transport, whereas in the UK it is still, for many, the pastime of a dangerous eccentric who deserves to be patronised by train companies and abused by motorists to within an inch of his life (their preferred passing distance). But being a grown-up cyclist, for all of its benefits, sometimes means going the long way round to avoid the traffic police. It also means paying. Bicycle tickets, costing about a third of a full adult fare, are required for every train journey, and storage facilities are no more spacious than those on British trains. We set out for The Netherlands expecting to find a country where every cyclist’s wish is law. We left realising that the reality is full of compromises. I wonder how realistic it is for British campaigners to expect better facilities without paying more and accepting greater regulation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Matthew Wright is a freelance writer. He has written for a wide range of newspapers and magazines and is currently working on his first novel. HAVE YOUR SAY Share your thoughts by emailing us at letters@lcc.org.uk or writing to the address on page 3.
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Three decades of achievement Rosie Downes and Tom Bogdanowicz cycle down memory lane to mark LCC’s 30th birthday CC started as an idea in a dingy basement at number 9 Poland Street,” recalls founding member Nick Lester. “We had poor lighting, no ventilation and no smoking ban – we’d try to finish quickly and get out into the fresh air.” After a series of meetings at the Friends of the Earth headquarters, Nick emerged as the chair of the first pan London cycling organisation. “Despite some people considering it ‘too radical’, we agreed on the name London Cycling Campaign.” There were a number of local groups actively pursuing better cycling conditions at this stage; LCC brought together cycling groups in Lambeth, Kensington and Chelsea and 15 other boroughs. The official launch took place on September 28, 1978 with a party at the Cheshire Cheese pub on Fleet Street. Its inaugural cycling event took place on the same day: a commuter bike race, which was a bit of a wash out as London’s weather did its worst, but clearly showed that cycles had the advantage in urban transport as the bikes beat the motorists and public transport.
Photo: Martin Breschinski, Glyn Davies
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The launch was swiftly followed by the first copy of the Daily Cyclist (later to become London Cyclist), published with the heading ‘Cycling Mania hits London’, and including a Dr Bike article on punctures and a feature on potholes. LCC’s first big campaign, to install a cycle crossing at Albert Gate in December 1978 was assisted by its acronym: “LCC experimental crossing” on cardboard signs was given credibility by association with the London County Council, a predecessor of the GLC and Greater London Authority (GLA). Success followed soon after as the Greater London Council (GLC) agreed to build the crossing, following an LCC petition. By mid-1979, LCC had moved into its own premises: the operating theatre of the old Charing Cross Hospital off the Strand. Membership cost £1 per annum. On June 12, 1979, LCC took part in the Friends of the Earth National Cycle Rally in Trafalgar Square, which was attended by more than 6000 cyclists. The London Borough of Camden was awarded the Buckled Wheel of the Year Award by LCC; the
MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MIL 1978 • LCC is officially launched on September 28 • The first copy of the Daily Cyclist (now London Cyclist) is published • LCC’s first campaign – for a cycle crossing at Albert Gate – takes place • Membership costs £1 a year
1979 • LCC moves into its own premises and launches promotional merchandise • Takes part in National Cycle Rally
1980 • British Rail protest wins widespread media coverage • The Albert Gate campaign features in a BBC2 documentary • Cycles represents 2.5% of vehicles on London roads • First Round London Bike Ride is held
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This picture: A BMX rider passes over a group of MPs Below: The first edition of Daily Cyclist, which later became London Cyclist Below right: Action for a Cycle Friendly City – a City Cyclists protest on June 16, 1994
> C MILESTONES LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC 1981 • LCC is by now a limited company • 95% of Labour and Lib Dem GLC candidates say cyclists’ needs are not met; a similar number of the Tories say conditions are adequate • Round London Bike Ride attracts 1,500 cyclists • LCC rewrites Department of Transport’s Green Paper on cycling
1982 • A grant of £12,000 enables LCC to employ a full-time worker • A constitution is established • There are 28 borough groups
1984 • LCC is in new premises • Organises International Velo-City Conference • Cycle flows into London increase by 29% since 1981
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borough promised to pull its socks up. By this time, LCC had launched its first range of merchandise: campaign badges (white on blue) for 20p, T-shirts for £2 and re-useable envelope labels for 50p; and a number of LCC borough groups were established. Centre: Cyclists take In January 1980, an LCC campaign caused a media part in 1992’s Breath frenzy as British Rail banned bikes from rush hour of Fresh Air rally trains and 50 LCC cyclists padlocked their bikes across the entrance of British Rail’s headquarters. Reaping the benefits of its new media profile, LCC made Blazing Pedals, a TV programme shown on BBC2’s Open Door, which re-enacted the Albert Gate demonstration and aired on February 23. By this point, cycling on main roads had shot up by 42% since 1977, with cycles representing 2.5% of all vehicles. On Saturday June 7, 1980, LCC organised the first Round London Bike Ride from St Paul’s Cathedral to LCC’s offices, with over 400 cyclists demanding that 1% of the GLC’s budget be spent on cycling. By 1981, LCC had become a company limited by guarantee; its T-shirts sported the slogans “Everyone Likes Bikes” and “Important People Like Bikes”. Prior to the GLC elections in May, LCC undertook its first ever candidate comparison campaign, asking all candidates what they would do for cycling if elected. While 95% of Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates believed that cyclists’ needs had not
Photo: Bruce Tanner
Above: An LCC campaigner on Waterloo Bridge in 1988
yet been met, a similar number of the Conservative candidates believed that conditions were already adequate for cyclists. In June, another Round London Bike Ride took place, this time with more than 1,500 cyclists converging on County Hall to be greeted by Ken Livingstone, then GLC Leader. LCC in September rewrote the Department of Transport’s ‘insipid’ Green Paper on cycling “as if an honest Government had written it” – the Department of Transport was not amused. LCC secured a grant of £12,000 in 1982 which enabled it to employ a full-time worker. A constitution was established, consisting of a chair, a treasurer, representatives of all borough groups (by now 28) and six others. LCC also consisted of a Policy Group, a Planning Group, a British Rail Group, a Finance Group, ‘Bike Mates’ (who taught people how to ride bikes safely), a Consumer Group (which reported on bike shops) and a Computer Group. By 1984, LCC had moved to new premises on Stamford Street, and organised the International Velo-City Conference at County Hall from September 26-28. The opening address was given by Ken Livingstone. Between 1981 and 1984 cycle flows into London had increased by 29%. In March 1985, LCC affiliated to CTC. The
MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MIL 1985 • LCC affiliates to CTC • LCC fights to defend cycling schemes as GLC abolishon is mooted • First ‘Reclaim the Lanes’ demonstrations takes place on Waterloo Bridge
1986 • GLC is abolished
1986-1995 • LCC expands from one to three members of staff • Around 6,500 members make it the world’s largest urban cycling campaign organisation
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FIRST CAMPAIGN SUCCESS Above: The opening of the Albert Gate cycle lane – LCC’s first major campaign success
publication of the Bill to scrap the GLC in 1985 sounded the death knell of the GLC’s cycling project. Abolition of the GLC and its cycling team appeared inevitable (it was finally abolished on March 31, 1986); in addition to lobbying for new cycle schemes, LCC also had to defend schemes already in place and the first of many ‘Reclaim the Lanes’ demonstrations took place on Waterloo Bridge. LCC also had to contend with the views of Nicholas Ridley at the Department of Transport who believed that cycling should not be promoted because it was dangerous. On the direct action front, 50 cyclists blockaded British Rail HQ in August in a lightning protest against higher charges for cycle carriage on 125s. Between 1986 and 1995, LCC expanded from one to three members of staff, plus two co-editors of London Cyclist magazine. LCC now had around 6,500 members – making it the largest urban cycling campaign organisation in the world. In 1996, LCC moved to new premises in Great Guildford Street, now with four full-time staff members. Two years later, its first director was appointed, and a new database was acquired to manage the growing membership; annual subscription was £16.50. Proposals to merge with CTC were rejected at the AGM. A major milestone came in 1999 when LCC
launched new comprehensive cycle route maps of London, which, by 2001 were reproduced in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) as the London Cycle Route Guides. More than 2 million maps were distributed within four years. LCC in 2002 pioneered the community cycling concept with an awards programme for community groups. It also provided a comprehensive response to the TfL plan for the London Cycle Network Plus. The 900km LCN+ was planned as a high-quality network of cycle routes across the capital. The real turning point in London cycling came on February 17, 2003, the day that congestion charging was introduced. LCC’s phones started ringing off the hook as the press took interest in cycling as an alternative to the £5 charge. The Evening Standard ran a full-page featuring LCC member Bev Duckworth and Tower Hamlets Wheelers secured a two-page spread in the Mirror. The message got through, and within a year there were a third more cyclists in central London. At that point, then-Mayor Ken Livingstone and Transport for London started to implement some of the many ideas LCC was pushing – funding was ramped up for cycle training, LCN+, cycling at schools, workplace initiatives and community projects. LCC’s membership grew as the cycling boom snowballed. New director Simon Brammer was at the
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1996 • LCC moves to new premises in Great Guildford Street • Now has four full-time staff members
1998 • Appoints first director • Annual membership costs £16.50 • Proposals to merge with CTC are rejected
1999 • Cycle route maps of London are launched
All images Rob Ainsley
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RECENT CAMPAIGN SUCCESSES Below: The cycling facility on Blackfriars Bridge
Above: A 2007 tourist atttractions campaign saw many leading museums and historical venues put information about cycle parking on their websites. In the case of the Tower of London, its staff were unaware that they had cycle parking (pictured) within yards of the main entrance until the LCC campaign
Photo: Tom Bogdanowicz, Justine Walker, David Davies
Above: Critical Mass April 28, 1995 Next page: LCC members campaign against pollution
Right: After a long battle, cycling is now permitted across Clapham and Wandsworth commons
helm as LCC moved from its aging office in Guildford Street to a bright new location off Bermondsey Street. LCC also became a charity. Bike Week events organised by local groups grew bigger and there were key successes on the campaigning front – a 2.5 metre bike lane across Blackfriars Bridge, bike access across Tooting and Wandsworth Commons, a campaigns conference that attracted 300 delegates. “A high point for me was the Tour de France in London,” recalls Simon Brammer. “LCC volunteers leading thousands of riders to a fabulous event in Central London.” It didn’t stop there: London Freewheel, the brainchild of LCC board member David Love, took place on September 23, 2007. “At long last London was staging an event at which everyone, young and old, could share the experience of cycling,” says David. “40,000 riders came to enjoy the car-free streets in Central London, many on LCC led rides.” By 2008, cycle journeys in London had doubled
MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MILESTONES MAJOR LCC MIL 2001 • Cycle route maps are reproduced in association with Transport for London
2002 • LCC pioneers an awards programme for community groups • Provides a comprehensive response to TfL’s London Cycle Network Plus proposal
2003 • Congestion Charging is introduced on February 17, with cycling seen as a viable means of mainstream transport for the first time – cycling use snowballs • TfL funding for cycling programmes is boosted
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since 2003, beating the Mayor’s 2010 target by two years. Encouraged by LCC, TfL set a new and more ambitious target of more than trebling cycling by 2025 to a 5% share of all journeys. London’s new Mayor, and keen cyclist, Boris Johnson, now wants to exceed that target. LCC’s chief executive, Koy Thomson sets the bar at one journey in five: “After 30 years of campaigning, cycling has arrived in London – our challenge for the next 30 years is to capitalise on that, and make this a truly liveable city.” Politicians, past and present, have the power, and resources, to help make London a more cyclefriendly city, but it’s LCC’s membership which has worked tirelessly to make it happen. Whether through cycle maps, cycle routes, cycle training, greenways, community projects, volunteering or simply being part of the largest urban cycling organisation in the world, LCC members have made their mark. The hundreds of thousands of bikes on the streets of London wouldn’t be there without your work – well done.
YOUR LCC PHOTOS AND FILMS WANTED To coincide with LCC’s 30th birthday celebrations. the Audio Visual working group is putting together a slide show on the history of LCC. If you have good pictures or film footage (in digital format, if possible) of any key historical events/moments (Londonwide rather than local), the group would love to hear from you. Please send to c/o Tom Bogdanowicz, LCC, 2 Newhams Row, London, SE1 3UZ, marked ‘LCC History’ or email office@lcc.org.uk Please include the name of the event/people featured, as well as your name and contact details. It is hoped the slide show will be ready for screening at LCC’s AGM in November.
2004-2007 • Moves into modern premises off Bermondsey Street • LCC becomes a registered charity • Bike Week grows each year
• Campaign successes include a 2.5 metre bike lane across Blackfriars Bridge and bike access across Tooting and Wandsworth commons • Tour de France comes to London • London Freewheel takes over the capital’s streets
2008 • Cycle journeys have doubled since 2003; TfL sets a new benchmark of more than trebling cycling by 2025 to a 5% share of all journeys (new London Mayor Boris Johnson wants to exceed that target
All images Rob Ainsley
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Made to measure Once upon a time, bikes were made, one by one, by craftsmen, rather than on a production line. To coincide with LCC’s 30th birthday issue, Mark Mitchell pays tribute to two of London’s last remaining bespoke bike builders ore than 3.5 million bicycles are sold in the United Kingdom each year. Not all are mass-produced. A fraction are hand-built in this country by small, craft-based firms, and made to customers’ exact requirements. In London two such makers remain from a world once populated by legendary names. The names were emotive: like EG Bates in Plaistow, Ephgrave in Clapton, Hetchins (of curly stay fame) in Tottenham, Hobbs of the Barbican, Holdsworth of London, and Saxon in Homerton. The imperious Claud Butler of Wandsworth lives on today as a brand in name only. The two firms remaining are Roberts in Croydon and Witcomb in Deptford. True, there are other companies surviving – thriving, even – in the capital: Brompton manufacture folding bicycles in Brentford and Condor supplies high performance sports and racing machines, and a few individuals make custom-made or bespoke frames, but not in a way that reflects the local, low-volume bicycle maker, often a family business. Why did many made-to-measure makers stop? Partly because in the 1970s the UK market saw a flood of mass-produced, low-cost products made in the Far East, and then came the powerfully marketed US brands that are so well established today. So does it matter that few bespoke makers exist now? It’s a matter of choice: do you want a machine that is handmade specifically for you and your needs, or a factorybuilt and made-for-many alternative? Bike dealers claim that a factory-made frame will meet most needs, coupled to a permutation of parts. That’s the beauty of the bicycle – it’s largely based on common standards: think handlebar and seat fittings, brakes, gears, tyres and wheels. There is choice, so why choose bespoke? Custom builders argue that you get a purposemade frame that’s an exact fit, also an investment that matches your riding style and habits. It inspires confidence and performance, and provides greater comfort and control, plus there’s the sense of owning something truly unique and personal. There is less need to compromise. Price is important, but some mass-produced bikes can be more expensive than a bespoke option, and value is relative. The annual cost of maintaining a car can be eye-watering, so can eating out at a swanky restaurant. In contrast, a custom-made bike may last for years, as Roberts and Witcomb will tell you.
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Cycles of change Tom Bogdanowicz looks at the rise, fall and return of the London brands he butcher, the baker and the bicycle-maker: that was a typical London street back in the ’60s when Chas Roberts and Barrie Witcomb were not the last remaining London bike builders but just two among dozens. Not only did many bike shops have builders in the back like Roberts or in the basement like Evans, but you would often have a choice of builders within a couple of miles of each other. London was a showcase for some of the most innovative, stylish and beautiful bikes in the world. Italy could boast some of the best riders, and those riders made bike brands like Colnago, Cinelli and De Rosa world-famous, but for sheer quality of workmanship and attention to detail, London’s frame builders were ahead of the competition. It’s no surprise that London-built bikes of the ’50s and ’60s are now among the most collectible in the world. Individuality was inherent to London bike-making in the classic era. If you were having a bike made to measure, the sky was the limit in what you could ask for. What’s more, London bike-makers tried to outdo each other with their unusual lug designs, exotic frames and custom paint jobs. Among the best know was Hetchins with his trademark curly stays, hellenic stays and ornate lugs that boasted Latin names like Magnum Bonum and Vade Mecum that Alf Hetchins found at the local library. Distinctive stay designs were a way of identifying Hetchins bikes at time when racing bikes were not allowed to have transfers.
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This is a Vic Lyons hand-built steel frame bicycle, Reynolds 531 tubing. The cycle, owned by Mark Knox, has recently been refurbished, and the rear stays widened to accept modern axle widths. The work was done by Mario Vaz of Vaz Finishes in Hither Green (020 885 0711). Mario used to do Vic Lyons’ stove-enamelling and believes he may have done the original spray work on this bike. The refurb includes the application of new, original, decals/transfers and some neat gold lining along the edges of the lug-work. Mark Knox himself did the dis- and re-assembly
All images Rob Ainsley
Above: A classic fork crown on a Roberts track bike Right and main photo: The Witcomb workshop
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Above: The Witcomb workshop, where bikes are made to order Top right: Ernie Witcomb, reflects on the family business he founded
Photos: Lionel Shapiro, Justine Walker
Top bottom: Ernie trawls through the workshop’s log books, which list every bike made by the firm, each entry reflecting the unique number given to each machine
Tailormade to survive Witcomb Cycles is located in Deptford, an area of south-east London steeped in history. The business occupies one of the area’s oldest buildings, nestled at the bottom of Tanner’s Hill. Grade II-listed and Dickensian in character, it is said to have been built with timber from an old tea clipper. Ernie Witcomb, the firm’s founder, entered the industry in 1936, working for a local bicycle maker who, after war service, he subsequently bought out in the early 1950s. Success soon followed: Stan Britten, a well-known rider of the time, rode a Witcomb in the 1958 Tour de France, a ‘factory’ racing team was formed and, in 1972, the firm set up a presence in the United States. In 1998, Witcomb Snr retired, handing the business over to his son, Barrie, who continued the firm’s reputation for high-quality frame building. Black and white pictures in the shop attest to the young man’s road racing talents. Today, Barrie still wields a brazing torch and his 90-year-old father often helps in the shop. The company also repairs and restores a variety of machines; recent projects include a folding parachutist’s bike from WWII and a 1906 Dursley Pedersen, a highly distinctive Danish design. Witcomb will make-to-order frames for racing, touring, mountain biking and commuting, usually producing the complete bike and fitting parts specified by the customer. A limited edition series was recently created to mark LCC’s 30th year and a range of new products is in prospect, along with other ambitious plans to develop the business and ensure its longevity. Down in Croydon, Roberts Cycles offers an established range and make a special point of catering for the female rider. Top quality bespoke bicycles are made for touring, racing, mountain biking and
non-competitive events known as Audax. World championships have been won on their frames. The company was founded by Charles (Charlie) Roberts in the early 1960s. After WWII, he began working as a frame builder with some of the big names cited earlier – Holdsworth, Claud Butler and Freddie Grubb. One of his specialities was Olympicquality track frames, those minimal works of art that fly around places like Herne Hill Velodrome. Soon after starting his own venture, Roberts was joined by his son Chas. At 14, the latter began learning his craft part-time in the workshop; like many frame-makers, after leaving school he began a full apprenticeship in the family firm. For a time, younger brother Geoff also worked in the business, but with Charlie Roberts’ death in 1979, Chas took over. Today the firm is known on three continents and further afield, thanks partly to the likes of LC columnist Josie Dew, a globe-trotting travel writer who uses a tough, purpose-made Roberts on her expeditions.
A personal service Buying bespoke entails taking careful measurements of the customer, including overall height, arm from shoulder to mid-hand, forearm, shoulder width, torso, femur, shoe size, and weight. Both companies want to know what the bike will be used for, in addition to riding habits and other preferences. Roberts uses an adjustable frame customers can sit on to check design details, but like Witcomb, they say best practice principles plus their time-proven experience helps to define the ideal combination of frame angles, tube sizes and lengths, fittings and clearances. Crucial factors need balancing to get the frame right. To ensure enough ‘stand over’ (the ‘comfort’ gap
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between your crutch and the top tube), or reduce the risk of your shoe hitting the front wheel or mudguard when turning and pedalling, means carefully adjusting all the angles and tube lengths at the design stage. Tubes – usually made of steel – are then cut to length and the customer’s choice of lugs prepared (or tube ends shaped if lugless). The tubes are joined by brazing – melting a brass composition into the joints – and fettling is carried out prior to painting and finishing. The task takes several days, more if for a tandem, and then the task of assembling the customer’s choice of parts begins. A typical order-todelivery time would be around five to seven weeks. The benefits of this approach are summed up by a Roberts customer, Isabella Ramsay. “I bought a bespoke bike because I was having difficulty finding a bike that suited me,” she says. “I’m 5’4”, so it was important to have something that I felt comfortable on. Certainly my cycling was much enhanced and I was able to cycle further more easily without so much discomfort and an aching back. I got a hybrid tourer with slightly smaller than average wheels, which was also great for commuting. “I love my bike and would really recommend a bespoke bike, especially to women. A made-tomeasure bike is certainly a fantastic experience.” In an industry dominated by big names and lots of choice, the small firm offers a way of getting exactly what you want without compromise: the satisfaction of owning something you can keep and use for many years, made by a genuine craftsman. To celebrate Witcomb’s 80th birthday and LCC’s 30th, Witcomb will produce 100 limited edition hand-built bikes, each with an LCC badge. The bikes are £1,500, with £100 from each sale going to LCC. Details: 020 8692 1734. See p27 for your chance to win one ROBERTS AND WITCOMB: PARALLELS AND CURIOSITIES ◆ Charles Roberts Snr built frames for the British Olympic cycling team, as has Barrie Witcomb ◆ Chas Roberts built the first US-style mountain bike in Britain long before any had been seen in UK shops – a customer showed Chas an early US mountain bike and asked him to build something similar ◆ Witcomb built their first mountain bike in 1984 after seeing them being made in Marin County, California ◆ Mountain bikes built in the Roberts workshop were ridden to victory in several World Championships in the ’80s under the Peugeot label. The bikes also earned Roberts the accolade of best frame builder ◆ A Witcomb bike was used by Briton Stan Britten in the 1958 Tour de France ◆ Tony Doyle (see page 50) rode Roberts-built frames to win two World Championship medals on the track ◆ An early Roberts mountain bike was used to win the UK mountain bike high jump completion
Harry Rensch’s Paris Galibier was even more extreme with its large fat down tube. The design has recently been revived by Condor Cycles which, together with Hetchins, MacLean, Ephgrave, Hobbs and Paris, was once at the heart of a flourishing north London bike trade. Grant Young, current owner of Condor’s, remembers: “We all knew each other, and there was a helpful spirit – other builders would help you out with parts and components.” East London boasted some fine frame-making talents. The much coveted Ephgrave, featured Gothic transfers and a unique lollipop design on the seat stays. The legendary Bill Philbrook built frames for Gillot and Claud Butler before setting up his own operation in Gillingham and teaching and inspiring Jeff Lyons, a leading bike-maker in the United States. South London, too, was littered with bike-makers: Allins of Croydon were leaders in polo bikes; Bird Brothers specialised in road bikes with distinctive rainbow transfers; Claud Butler, a brand that still exists, employed some of the best frame-builders; Freddie Grubb, like Charles Roberts, was well known for fine track frames; Vic Lyons in Vauxhall went for style. But, as cycling lost ground to motoring, several south London builders were swallowed up by the larger Holdsworth company which itself became part of the Falcon and then Townsend operations. The demise of London bike-makers came at the same time as corner shops gave way to big supermarket chains. Car sales did some of the damage to the cycling trade, the rest came from the advent of the cheap Far Eastern bike, the popularity of three sizes fitting all mountain bikes and the low-cost aluminium frame. The advantages of custom framebuilding – perfect fit, low weight and individuality – were undermined by low prices and instant purchase. Yet the customised steel frame is experiencing a new revival. Led by the recent fashion for skinny framed and skinny wheeled bikes, the cult of the British steel frame is back and has brought thousands of classic frames back into daily use. Older road frames are easily adapted for fixed or single speed use and many are being painstakingly restored to their former glory. Companies offering bike resprays have seen their businesses flourish as enthusiastic cyclists choose exotic retro colours and the combinations of stripes that were last popular in the ’60s. After the initial craze for single speeds and fixies, many riders are rebuilding 10-speed racing complete with old Campagnolo, Mafac and Stronglight components. On eBay, British steel frames are being snapped up, along with Airlite hubs, Brooks saddles and Campag Record derailleurs. With demand for custom building on the rise, Barrie Witcomb says that there aren’t enough builders left in London: “It would be great if a few younger people entered the trade,” he says. Several American builders like Richard Sachs and Ben Serotta gained their skills in London – the void is now open for Londoners who want to carry the capital’s rich tradition. You can see a large selection of the great London builders at the Classic Rendezvous website (www. classicrendezvous.com). For true fans, there is also Veteran Cycle Club ( www.v-cc.org.uk )
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Spreading the word Any cyclist can help introduce friends and family members to the joys of two wheels. David Dansky has this advice for amateur trainers
“As easy as riding a bike.” This is a strange expression if you can’t ride a bike. In fact to an adult who never learnt to ride as a child, riding a bike seems really scary, their fear being, of course, that they will fall. This lack of confidence and fear lead a person to tense their muscles which hinders their ability to make the fine adjustments to steering that enable them to balance. So the first step to take when teaching someone to ride is to believe they will succeed; if you are confident that they will succeed, your confidence will rub off on them. Methods There are many methods that work: some work quicker than others, some involve special equipment (such as a kickbike or scooter), some involve removing pedals and lowering the saddle. The method described below – used by the instructors of Cycle Training UK – is simple. It doesn’t require any special kit or adjustments to the bicycle. Using this method, a person can take, on average, under an hour to learn to ride independently. Location The best place to learn is on a large, flat area of tarmac such as a playground or a basketball court in a park. When a person begins to balance, they need
a lot of space to move around as they make steering corrections to stay on their bike (see below). It is worth considering how public the space is because an adult may be embarrassed about learning to ride and may wish to do this without an audience. Choosing a bike Most bikes can be used to teach a complete beginner. Ensure it fits them and they are comfortable on the saddle. They should be able to reach the ground with both feet, and their legs should only be slightly bent when their pedal is at the lowest position (six o’clock). Put the bike in a low gear to make it easy for them to start off. This will also ensure they don’t go too fast initially. Teach them on their own bike if they have one. Skills The two sets of skills required to ride unaided are ‘starting and stopping’ and ‘balancing and steering’. Teaching someone to use their brakes to stop will give them control over their machine from the outset. On and off Explain the logic of getting on from the left side of a bike. This is the pavement side and is also the ‘clean’ side (the chain and gears are on the right side of a bike). Show them the brakes and encourage them to pull the brakes while getting on in order to completely
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See www.lcc.org.uk/info for more on city and commuter cycling, as well as information and advice on maintenance
Above left: Position yourself at the front of the bike while the student learns to stop and start
Starting and stopping Demonstrate setting the pedal so that the crank arm is parallel with the down tube (the ‘two o’clock position’). Set off, ride a short distance, then brake smoothly and come to a complete stop before putting your foot down. It’s now their turn. You are teaching them to start and stop (and pedal) at this point. You will be balancing for them. Position yourself at the front of their bike, holding the handlebars. From this position you are able to correct their balance by steering into the way you feel them falling. This puts the bike under them. It shouldn’t take much effort to keep them upright. Let them know that you are balancing for them and that they have nothing to worry about – you could ask them to take both feet off the ground so they can see that you are able to support them. Ensure that they are comfortable and balanced while in the starting position. It doesn’t matter which foot they prefer to start with. Let them feel which is more comfortable. Ask them to set off, by releasing their brakes then pushing down on the pedal, lifting their other foot on to the back pedal. Walk backwards as they pedal. They should be looking straight ahead (over your shoulder). Their fingers should be covering the brakes. After they have pedalled a couple of strokes ask them to stop the bike with the brakes, only putting their foot down after the bike has stopped. Repeat this until they are confident at starting and stopping.
Above right: Once they can stop and start, move behind them to allow them to take full control of the bike
Balancing and steering Some people may find it useful to understand how we balance on a bike. This is neatly explained by Cambridge University senior lecturer Dr Hugh Hunt in his article ‘A bike with a reverse-spinning wheel’, published 2006: “‘The way we stay upright on a moving bike is by active control through steering ... If we find ourselves falling over to the left then we learn to steer the bike to the left, which generates forces that tilt us back upright again, thereby putting the wheels back under our centre of gravity. Beginners are very wobbly, but as we become expert the corrections become
smaller and we can ride in a straight line.” When they can stop and start themselves, move behind them and let them have full control of their handlebars. You can either support them by holding their waist or shoulders, or hold a part of their bike such as the seat post or their rack (providing it is strong enough). This is when they begin to ‘get it’. You will notice that they will need less and less support from you as they get used to adjusting their steering to balance. They will feel so excited the first time they ride unaided. This combination of fear and fun is a heady mix. Stay within grabbing distance by jogging next to them while they ride all over the place changing direction every time they correct their steering. Get them to stop and start and then ride along. Set them off in one direction and then ask them to change direction. Their turning will be wide-angled initially, but tighter angles will come with practice. Riding a diamond shape or a figure of eight will help them hone their steering. It is important to patient and give them ample opportunity to rest. If they lose their confidence, go back to earlier stages of the training. Encourage them to relax, and remind them to remember to breath. If you exude confidence, they should trust you and believe they can ride themselves. David Dansky is a qualified trainer with Cycle Training UK (020 7231 6005, www.cycletraining.co.uk)
TRAINING: If you wish to experience the joy of training new cyclists, you may wish to train as a cycling instructor. Check out the jobs section at www.cycletraining.co.uk for further information. Links to other accredited London-based providers can be found on the LCC website, www.lcc.org.uk, in the ‘cycle sense’ section. CYCLE SAFETY: LCC publishes a CYCLE SENSE booklet called Cycle Sense: Skills And Confidence On The Road, which would be of benefit to anyone looking to train a beginner – brushing up on your own skills is always advisable first. The booklet can be downloaded by following the ‘cycle sense’ link in the advice section at www.lcc.org.uk, or by requesting a hard copy from the LCC office (details page 31). Skills and confidence
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immobilise the bike. It may be easier to mount the bike if they lean the bike towards them, thereby lowering the saddle so they can lift their leg backwards over the saddle. Let them practise getting on and off a couple of times.
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How to... carry things on your bike
See www.lcc.org.uk/info for advice on buying bikes and accessories
A bike can be a fantastic way of transporting heavier loads, and thanks to the range of equipment now available, you don’t have to carry your wares on your back. Here is an overview of the best ways of carrying things with you on your bike, whether you’re going touring on your bike or just down to the road to do the shopping. Seatpost bags and larger saddlebags Seatpost bags can be a good solution if you don’t have too much to carry and don’t have a rack or panniers on your bike.
Bags and backpacks While they might not be as comfortable as letting your bike take the weight, cycle bags often have a very large capacity.
Trailers Trailers are easy to load, and can carry heavy loads safely and without affecting the balance of the bike. They may not be appropriate for use in heavy traffic or tight spaces, but can be ideal for quieter roads. Handlebar bags Handlebar bags are similar to the old-style basket on the front of a bike, but with added security and convenience.
Racks and panniers Fitting a rack on which you can carry bags or panniers means you’ll have plenty of room to carry your belongings with you.
MORE INFORMATION There are more details on each of these options in the ‘Travelling with your bike’ section at www.lcc.org.uk/info
The LC Bike Surgery audit to work out how much cycle parking you’ll need. LCC can arrange a cycle audit for you – just call the office (details page 31) for more advice. Alternatively, in the case of workplace cycle parking, Transport for London suggests providing parking for everyone who already cycles to work, plus another 50%, followed by another 20% every time bike stand occupancy levels reach 80%. Before going any further, you should carry out a survey among employees to find out who already cycles and who is likely to start cycling to work if parking
(and possibly other facilities for cyclists eg showers, lockers, etc) was made available. More advice is at www.lcc.org.uk/info – just follow the ‘Guide for employers’ and ‘Parking and storage’ links.
HOW TO SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS If you have a question on routes, campaigning, maintenance, safety or any other topic, send your question to londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk or write to the address on page 3, and the LC team will answer it for you.
Photos: Michael Stenning
I’ve convinced my employer to install bike parking at work, but we’re not sure how many spaces we will need to put in. How do we make an educated guess that will be suitable for current levels of cycling, as well as for any projected growth in cycling among employees (which will hopefully be the result of our efforts now)? Rachel Walton, Ealing Congratulations on getting your employer interested in encouraging people to cycle to work. It may be worth carrying out a cycle
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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 near you Bexley What: Roadside repair and maintenance course Cost: £35 When: June 5-6; July 17-18, 2009 Contact: Sidcup Cycle Centre (020 8300 8113, info@sidcupcycles.co.uk) Bromley What: Hands-on session suitable for beginners. Bring your own bike. There are two courses: Basics (punctures, cleaning and lubricating); Brakes and Gears (tuning, cables, brake pads). A session on disc brakes may be run on demand Cost: £20 – includes a maintenance pack worth at least £9. When: Call for details At: Hayes Old Church School, Hayes, BR2 7BA Contact: Big Foot Bikes (020 8462 5004, roger@bigfootbikes.com) www.bigfootbikes.com Central London What: With the support of London Borough of Camden, the Camden Cycling Campaign is running courses covering punctures, brakes, chains, tuning gears and cleaning When: Series 08-C: November 15 (Part 1), December 13 (Part 2)) At: Velorution, 18 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 8BD Cost: £50 for two sessions Contact: Stefano (020 7435 0196, (stefano@lamsam-casalotti.org.uk) What: Work on your own bike – no knowledge is assumed Cost: £72 (£66 for LCC members) When: Saturdays 10.30am-5pm At: Bikefix, 48 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3LJ Contact: Patrick Field (020 7249 3779, www.londonschoolofcycling. co.uk) Ealing What: Ealing Cycling Campaign runs ad-hoc courses throughout the year covering maintenance and repair Contact: See www.ealingcycling.org. uk or email info@ealingcycling.org.uk Greenwich What: Year-round maintenance classes run by Greenwich Cyclists. Covers tyres and wheels; intermediate class covers brakes and gears. Bring your bike and any parts you want to fit Cost: £5 per two-hour class. See www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk for payment details
When: Tuesday or Wednesday, 7.15pm-9pm. Call to confirm At: Armada Centre, Armada Court, 21 McMillan St, Deptford SE8 6PW Contact: Julian Dobson (07771 692 344, 020 8463 0801, julian@jadobson.demon.co.uk) or see www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk Hackney What: Twice monthly two-hour workshops sponsored by Hackney Cycling Campaign. Work on your bike with advice from experts Cost: No charge – run by volunteers (donations to pay rent appreciated). Additional volunteers welcome When: 7pm-9pm on first and third Tuesday of the month (October 7 and 21; November 4 and 18) At: The Kings Centre, Frampton Park Baptist Church, Frampton Park Rd, off Well Street, E9 7PQ Contact: Hackney Cycling Campaign (www.hackney-cyclists.org.uk), Adam (07940 121 513), Ross (rosscorben@blueyonder.co.uk) or Paul (paul.standeven@virgin.net) Hammersmith What: One-day cycle repair and maintenance workshops Cost: £40, (5% off for LCC members) When: First Thursday of every month and last Saturday of every month At: Emerald Centre, 2 Beadon Road, W6 0DA Contact: Gordon (07983 949 559, gordonk.pedalpower@hotmail.com) or Jon (07507 496 212) Islington What: Bicycle maintenance courses When: On demand At: Based in Islington but can travel Contact: Jonathan Edwards (07946 261 165, j.edwards530@ btinternet.com) What: 2.5-hour, self-help workshop Cost: £1 (50p unwaged) When: Fourth Wednesday of month (not August/December); 7pm-9.30pm At: Sunnyside Gardens, cnr Sunnyside and Hazellville roads, N19 Contact: Adrian (07810 211 902) Kingston What: Maintenance and repairs to help keep bikes in good working order Cost: One-day Saturday course is £26 When: 10am-4pm on 31 January 31 and March 7, 2009 At: North Kingston Centre, Richmond Road, KT2 5PE
Contact: Kingston Adult Education (adult.education@rbk.kingston. gov.uk, www.kingston.gov.uk/ adulteducation, 020 8547 6700) or Rob (020 8546 8865, mail@ kingstoncycling.org.uk). See also www.kingstoncycling.org.uk Lambeth What: Lambeth Cyclists’ courses consisting of five two-hour classes Cost: £55 When: Starting September 30 Contact: Janet Paske (janet.paske@ gmail.com, 07740 457 528) What: Basic maintenance course Cost: £60 When: Call for dates At: Brixton Contact: Paul Lowe (020 7733 3070) www.cyclinginstructor.com Newham What: Workshop for Newham cyclists Cost: A donation to Cycle Club funds When: Saturdays, 9.30am-12pm during term time At: New City Primary School, New City Rd, Plaistow, E13 9PR Contact: Liz Bowgett (liz.bowgett@ btopenworld.com) Redbridge What: Redbridge Cycling Campaign’s course covers all aspects of basic maintenance (punctures, brakes, gears, etc) Cost: £30 When: Call for dates Contact: Terry (07795 981 529, terence.hughes@btinternet.com) or Jim (jimdalton24@hotmail.com, 07949 883 747), or see www.redbridgelcc.org.uk Southwark What: Southwark Cyclists’ fourevening course includes maintenance and cleaning, punctures, cables, brakes, truing wheels, when to get professional help, and when to replace what. Uses On Your Bike’s workshop and professional mechanics. 10% off purchases Cost: £48 per course. Pay online via Paypal after confirming place When: Tuesdays. 6.30pm-8.30pm At: On Your Bike, 52-54 Tooley St, SE1 2SZ Contact: Barry (07905 889 005, info@southwarkcyclists.org.uk), or www.southwarkcyclists.org.uk What: Cycle Training UK’s one-day courses. Basic and intermediate;
one-to-one or small group sessions; puncture masterclass Cost: £60/one-day course; £30/hour bespoke tuition; £20/puncture masterclass. 5% off for LCC members. Subsidised training available for those living, working or studying in Ealing, Brent, Lambeth or the City When: Phone or check website At: CTUK, Unit 215, Building J 100 Clements Road, SE16 4DG Contact: Call 020 7231 6005 or check www.cycletraining.co.uk Sutton What: Basic bicycle maintenance class plus free Dr Bike cycle check Cost: £10 per head (family discounts) When: 9.45 am-noon, October 25 At: Sutton West Centre, Robin Hood Lane, Sutton, SM1 2SD Contact: Chris Parry (020 8647 3584, cyclism@blueyonder.co.uk) or Shirley Quemby (020 8642 3720), or see www.cyclismsutton.org.uk Tower Hamlets What: Hands-on workshops with Tower Hamlets Wheelers Cost: Free. Donations welcome! When: Last Saturday of the month (except December); 11am-3pm At: Boxing Club, Limehouse Town Hall, 646 Commercial Rd E14 7HA Contact: Owen Pearson (07903 018 970, workshop@wheelers.org.uk) www.wheelers.org.uk/workshop Waltham Forest What: Maintain or assemble a bike. Bike donations are very welcome Cost: £3. Tea/coffee provided When: The workshop (when staff available) opens 11am-3pm Saturdays. Open 10am-noon the second Saturday of month for LCC members to work on their bikes. No maintenance the first Saturday of month (recycled bikes for sale 1pm-3pm). Fridays (9am-4pm) and Saturdays (11am-3pm) volunteers invited to recondition bikes At: Council transport depot, Low Hall Depot, South Access Road, Walthamstow, E10 7A6. Stop at security for directions Contact: Christopher Rigby (christopher.rigby1@ntlworld. com, 07910 235 149) or call 07948 060 473. Also keen to hear from volunteers who are able to help keep this excellent service and up and running
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WITCOMB 1928-2008
a hand-built racing bike
T
o coincide with LCC’s 30th birthday, and to celebrate Witcomb Cycles’ 80th anniversary, the company’s craftsmen have designed this superb limited edition LCC-branded racing bike. The Witcomb family has been hand-making bikes in London for 80 years and prides itself on the quality of its workmanship. The family also has a decades-long association with road racing, with Ernie Witcomb (see p18) still the proud owner of an Olympic blazer he was given for officiating at the 1948 London Games. This is your chance to win a slice of Witcomb – and LCC – history.
worth £1900 worth
How to enter For your chance to win this beautiful bike, with a frame custom-built to your size, see www.lcc. org.uk/witcomb and follow the instructions. This competition is exclusive to LCC members. Get your entry in today!
To enter, you will need to answer the following question: Which anniversary is Witcomb Cycles celebrating this year?
Members not lucky enough to win our competition can still buy one of 100 limited edition Witcomb bikes, each with an LCC badge. The bikes are priced at £1,500, with £100 from each sale going to LCC. Details on 020 8692 1734.
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Product reviews Three of a kind A decent bike for £350? Ian Cleverly tests a trio of credit crunch-beating machines
Verdict
Photos: John Whitfield
Iron Horse Transit 1.0 Iron Horse is a relatively unknown company in the UK, although mountain bike aficionados will be well acquainted with the American brand. The Transit range of commuter-orientated machines is new this year, topped by the Transit 3.0, with carbon forks and disc brakes, at £499. We plumped for the seemingly humble specification of the Transit 1.0, but it drew admiring comments from bystanders at my first stop-off – a pub, admittedly, so they may have been viewing through beer goggles, but you get the gist. It not only looks like a lot of bike for the money, it rides like it. The Transit positively zipped along on the flat and, although tipping the scales at 11.2kg, felt responsive on the climbs. The aluminium frame and forks handled well on the city streets. The 28mm Kenda tyres gave a comfortable ride and provided plenty of clearance for fitting mudguards – rack brazings are also included. Assembling the Transit gave me a chance to give the components a good look over, and it was mostly impressive: a Cane Creek headset was a good sign, the Selle Italia saddle was spot on and the Tectro mini V-brakes provided ample stopping power. The wheels were decent quality and stayed true throughout the test period. The eight-speed cassette combined with Shimano thumb shifters gave a crisp and precise gear change every time.
The Suntour chainset, however, looked cheap as chips and behaved correspondingly. Budget chainrings have a tendency to warp and, sure enough, the chain rubbed the front mech in most of the gears due to a poorly pressed outer ring. All credit to distributors Jim Walker, who quickly found a replacement and put the Transit back in my good books. The only other beef I had was with the handlebar width. They may be just fine for cruising in California, but try squeezing through a gap in Soho and you may find yourself well and truly wedged. Judicious pruning with a hacksaw to remove a couple of inches either side will make for a less spread-eagled position and a more maneuverable bike. A couple of minor gripes aside, the Transit looked the part and performed very well – certainly better than expected for such a reasonably priced machine. £349 (07908 857 361, www.jimwalker. co.uk, www.ironhorsebikes.com)
We have tested three diverse machines that have one thing in common: durability at a decent price.They are very much ‘horses for courses’, and each performs well in its own niche. Bearing in mind we are looking at budget bikes, any extra resources required to bring them up to scratch need to be considered. All three come with flat platform pedals (the Giant having toe-clips and straps in addition). Clip-in, SPD-style pedals are, to my mind, an essential piece of kit – once you have tried them, there is no going back. Mudguards and a rack will set you back another 50 quid, which is where the fully equipped Stratus is a winner. It is a nofrills, down to earth, commuter workhorse which, although unlikely to set the pulse racing with its looks, will give you a good work-out getting it up to speed. And, at under £300, it’s darn good value. The Bowery, on the other hand, is a bit of a boy racer. Although hard to recommend as a one-and-only, year-round machine (due to the mudguard issue), anyone looking to dip their toes in the world of fixed gear riding would be hard pressed to find a better value bike. Shops will swap the odd item if pressed hard enough, so do badger them for a smaller chainring – it makes the world of difference. If the leap to a single speed is a step too far, but the thought of a plodder like the Stratus brings on minor depression, the Transit sits neatly in the middle. It is a decent spec, reasonable weight, ‘do anything’ bike – the tyres and clearances will even cope with off-road adventures – that matches many machines with higher price tags. If it is versatility you seek, the Transit does the job – or jobs – very nicely.
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Product reviews
Pinnacle Stratus 1.0 Stratus is something of a misnomer. This bike is more of a Dobbin – a solid, reliable workhorse. This is one heavy steed – manhandling it out of the cellar caused a major sweat every time – and riding it did not produce the great feeling that riding a bike normally does. What the Stratus does do, however, is deliver you to your destination with the minimum of fuss. It’s got everything a commuter bike needs to make the journey stress-free: relaxed geometry, an upright riding position, big fat tyres and – impressively for a sub-£300 machine – mudguards and a rack. The ’07 model’s grip shifts have been replaced by thumb-operated Shimano levers, a vast improvement to my mind. The triple chainring and seven-speed cassette give a huge range of gears – engaging the ludicrously large 34-sprocket would leave you riding at less than snail’s pace. The remainder of the equipment is perfectly respectable gear – nothing to shout about but perfectly adequate for the job in hand. Just a couple of little niggles to report. The
adjustable-angle stem was loose straight from the shop – not a good start - and the front mudguard flapped around in the breeze like a pair of loon pants, producing an intensely annoying scraping sound every time the wind blew. Pinnacle need to look at thicker metal or doubling-up the number of stays. Will the Stratus get you to work efficiently and in good order? Undoubtedly. Will it get you there on time? Certainly – just leave home five minutes earlier than usual… £299, (0845 006 3885, www.evanscycles.co.uk, www.pinnacle-bikes.co.uk)
Giant Bowery The Giant Bowery is aimed squarely at the single-speed/fixed wheel/courier market that has mushroomed over the past few years, especially in London. Gears, it seems, are so last century. The aluminium compact geometry frame is similar in appearance to Giant’s normal road-going machines, the main difference being the rear-facing dropouts – essential for chain tensioning and useful for wheel removal. A healthy covering of chrome on the rear triangle and forks give the Bowery a classy look. The straight blade cro-moly forks have mudguard eyes – which is more than can be said for the frame. The lack of brazings at the rear of the bike is a major omission by Giant, and with fairly close clearances left by the 26mm tyres supplied, fitting mudguards is problematical. It’s a matter of thinner tyres and frame clips, short removable guards (such as Race Blades), or going without and hoping it doesn’t rain. Take your pick. Whichever way you look at it, Giant has messed up. The wheels were pretty decent, with a flip-flop rear hub giving a choice of fixed or freewheel, depending on your mood. The rest of the componentry was all perfectly fine. The bars were a bit wide for my liking, but there was nothing on the Bowery that let it down over several months of testing, apart
from an infernal creaking from the seat post area that remained unsolved. As with every mass-produced single speed I have ridden, I felt the Bowery was overgeared. The 18-tooth fixed and freewheel sprockets, combined with a 48-tooth chainring, just didn’t get the legs spinning soon enough. Get the gearing right, however (a 46-tooth chainring did the trick), and you have got a rapid machine. It doesn’t have to be ridden fast – part of the joy of fixed is to cruise and let the pedals turn themselves – but it is light and responsive and raring to go, so why not? The Bowery is cycling at its most basic: a frame, two wheels, and a few bit and pieces – a refreshing antidote to the high-tech approach of many modern machines. Just point it and go. What could be simpler? £350 (01159 775 900, www.giant-bicycles.com)
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Product reviews
Product reviews Best of British Quality offerings from UK companies tested by Ian Cleverly
T.ESS Megalight shortsleeved baselayer I am a big fan of LewisKIT’s merino wool socks, so it was no surprise that their baselayer was every bit as good. A figure-hugging, seamless design with no irritating labels – washing information is sensibly printed on the inside – the polyamide and polyester mix combined with what LewisKIT call the Silverfresh System (tiny particles of silver embedded in the fabric) stayed remarkably odour-free after several days riding. It was certainly equal to my usual merino baselayers in that respect. I found it a bit warm for the hottest summer
days – not that we get too many of those – but the Megalight still wicked away sweat very efficiently. In cooler conditions, however, it was absolutely perfect. Verdict A properly designed, great-fitting baselayer that performs far better than its modest price tag suggests. Recommended. £20, LewisKIT (07837 406 560, www.LewisKIT.com)
Polaris RBS pack cover There are two main requirements for a backpack cover: visibility and waterproofing. Both of these aspects are well covered by this offering from Polaris, with plentiful hi-viz stripes adorning the entire outer surface of the orange and yellow polyester cover which kept the worst of the torrential August downpours at bay. Add a third requirement to that list: it needs to fit. Backpacks come in different shapes and sizes, and the cover needs adjustability to cover the whole range. This is where the RBS cover came unstuck. With just one exit point for the drawstring, achieving a snug fit was all
but impossible, despite several prolonged bouts of tugging and feeding of nylon cord. Verdict Until Polaris come up with a better fitting solution – an elasticated drawstring or a variety of sizes – it’s hard to recommend the RBS. Back to the drawing board. £14.99, Polaris Apparel (01246 240 218, www.polaris-apparel.co.uk)
Iso-Cog fixed sprocket This is an extremely niche market product but should you be considering giving the delights of fixed wheel riding a go, the Iso-Cog could be just the thing. It ingeniously uses the disc brake fixing points to attach to the wheel, as opposed to the standard screw-on thread, so a single speed MTB can convert to fixed without any major alterations, bar the removal of the rear disc brake. The UK-made cogs are machined – rather than stamped or laser cut – to produce perfectly rounded sprockets which Max from londonfixie personally hand polishes until gleaming. Whether it is worthwhile using this system
over a standard fixed hub is debatable – londonfixie refer to stripped threads, seized cogs and slipping sprockets on their website, none of which have affected my 30 years of fixed riding, even as a courier – but for anyone with an existing single speed MTB set up, it makes perfect sense.
Pedalite 360 pedals These pedals are a nifty idea. Using kinetic energy from the pedals’ rotation, they require no batteries and are visible from all angles, including the often-neglected side. They light up as soon as you start moving and store enough energy to stay illuminated for up to five minutes after pedaling stops. Pedalite recently struck a distribution deal with Raleigh, so they should be easy enough to find in your local bike shop. Pedalite (01442 450 483, www.pedalite.com)
Tidy Tent Finding room at home to store your prize machine isn’t easy. Anyone lucky enough to have a yard or garden will still need protection from the elements, which is where the Tidy Tent comes in. It will take two adult bicycles and is weatherproof with a detachable zip up front panel. With an easily assembled design – much like modern flexible-poled tents – it attaches to a wall or fence and can be purchased with an additional security bracket. Garden Products 4U (020 8123 8070, gardenproducts4u.com)
Buff Headwear Verdict A quality piece of UK engineering and a clever idea but only worth considering if you are already of the single speed persuasion. £15.95, (londonfixiebike.co.uk)
WIN A IRON HORSE TRANSIT 1.0 BIKE Photo: John Whitfield
Product news
LC has an extra-special prize draw this issue. The nice people at Jim Walker have donated the Iron Horse Transit 1.0 that we tested. It is a medium size (effective top tube length 56cm) and, with a mere 200 miles on the clock, is in showroom condition. To enter our prize draw, send an email to prizedraw@lcc.org.uk WIN! or a postcard to LCC (address listed on p3), marking your email or postcard “Iron Horse prize draw” and including your full name, telephone number and postal address. Deadline for entries is October 31, 2008. For LC prize draw terms and conditions, please see www.lcc.org.uk
When is a rectangular tube of material a piece of headgear? When it’s a Buff, of course. The promotional film from the manufacturers demonstrates the dazzling array of combinations that can be fashioned out of one of these seemingly underwhelming offcuts – bandana, beanie, neckerchief, balaclava, hammock, parachute (I made the last two up, by the way). Available in a multitude of funky designs and now treated with Polygiene to reduce nasty odours. Buff (01707 852 244, www.buff wear.co.uk)(www.bikebins.com)
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LCC members’ pages
Letters Have your say LCC members’ pages
You can contact theyour membership Please email letters to team on 020 7234including 9310 or letters@lcc.org.uk, email membership@lcc.org.uk your postcode and any photos
These pages provide all you need to know about how to get the most out of your LCC membership 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 LCC, you are covered for up to £5 million. If such an incident occurs, phone the LCC office for immediate advice and assistance.
Free legal advice If you need any legal assistance on cycling-related issues, please phone the LCC office and we will put you in touch with a cyclistfriendly solicitor.
Theft and damage insurance The new LCC urban cycling theft and damage insurance comes with a benefit unique to LCC members. If your bike gets stolen, vandalised or accidentally damaged, there is up to £50 ‘getting you home’ cover. Theft insurance costs about 10% of the value of your bike. For a quote, see www.urbancyclinginsurance. co.uk or call 01514 279 529. Have your membership number to hand.
INFORMATION & CAMPAIGNING Local groups LCC has a local group in every borough, plus the City of London. Groups campaign on local cycling issues, and also organise events,
LCC’S VISION LCC’s vision is to make London a world class cycling city 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 Contact the LCC Board: chair@lcc.org.uk
HOW TO HELP LCC GROW Ask a friend to join If you recommend us to a friend and they join, you’ll receive a limited edition T-shirt. The more members we have, the greater our campaigning voice, plus more cyclists get to enjoy the benefits of LCC membership. Ask your friend or colleague to call 020 7234 9310, quote ‘recommend a friend’, and to give us your name.
Christmas gift membership Registered charity number: 1115789
meetings, workshops and rides. See page 34 to find out what your local group is up to.
Maps LCC, in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), has produced free cycle maps that cover all of London. These can be ordered via www.lcc.org.uk or by phoning TfL on 020 7222 1234.
London Cyclist magazine This magazine is sent to members every two months. It is packed with news, features, cycling tips, products news and all 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 London Cyclist free of charge – see page 37). Your short and concise ads should be emailed to londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk. Free business ads are not accepted.
It’s never too early to be thinking about Christmas. A gift membership to LCC will enable your friend or relative to enjoy year-round benefits. You will also receive a limited edition LCC T-shirt – keep it for yourself or give it away as part of the gift. Call 020 7234 9310, and quote ‘gift membership’.
Volunteer with us Much of LCC’s work would not be possible without volunteers. Much of our membership, administration and campaigning work is carried out by volunteers – if you have any spare time and and would like to put it to good use, phone Julie on 020 7234 9310 x 215. LC also relies on voluntary contributions. See www.lcc.org.uk/londoncyclist
How to join LCC If you like LC but you are not a member, why not join the campaign to receive the magazine every two months? Members also receive other benefits listed on this page. You can join on 020 7234 9310 or via www.lcc.org.uk/join Turn the page to find out about more members’ discounts
Have you been involved in an incident on your bike? Contact our partners, Levenes Solicitors, for free legal advice:
020 8826 1329 www.cycleinjury.co.uk Kevin O’Sullivan, head of Levenes’ Cycle Injuries Department, regular London cyclist and LCC member says: “We have been successfully providing legal advice for LCC members for eight years and are proud to support their campaigning and provide this free cycling incident helpline for the members’ benefit.” Levenes are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and your case will be dealt with on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.
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LCC members’ pages
LCC member discounts Anyone who joins LCC can cash in on a range of ongoing benefits open only to members. Maintenance Cycle Training UK (CTUK) offers LCC members a 5% discount on bike maintenance training. Call Araxi Djian on 020 7232 4398. Breakdown cover LCC members get 50% off membership of the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), a breakdown service for transport users who care about the environment. For 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 LCC members also get discounts on bikes, accessories and servicing at the following bike shops in the capital. Remember to show your membership card before you make a purchase or book your service. MAIL ORDER / ONLINE 50Cycles Ltd Quote LCC + membership no. 5% bikes and accessories. Exceptions: not on second-hand or ex display; not in conjunction with other offers. ■ ➔ www.50cycles.com 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 SW1H 0DJ (020 7799 2233) ✔ ▲ Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 9.30-5.30 Action Bikes 23-26 Embankment Place Northumberland Avenue WC2N 6NN (020 7930 2525) ✔ ▲ Mon-Fri 8-8 Bikefix 48 Lambs Conduit St WC1N 3LJ (020 7405 1218) ● ➔ Mon-Fri 8.30-7 Sat 10-5 Condor Ltd 51 Grays Inn Rd WC1X 8P (020 7269 6820) ● ✔ Mon-Tues Thurs-Fri 9-6 Weds 9-7.30 Sat 10-5 Cavendish Cycles 136 New Cavendish St W1W 6YD (020 7631 5060) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-5 Cotswold Outdoor 23/26 Piccadilly W1J 0DJ (020 7437 7399) ♣ (quote L2115 and show card) Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat, 10-6 Sun 11-5 CycleSurgery 3 Procter St Holborn WC1V 6DW (020 7269 7070) ▲ ✔ Mon/Weds/Fri 8.30-6 Tues/Thurs 8.30-7 Sat 10-5 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles 51-52 Rathbone Pl W1T 1JP (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 WC1X 8TP (020 7430 1985) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Tues closed 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 12-5 Evans Cycles 178 High Holborn WC1V 7AA (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 the Docklands (020 7021 0742) ● ✔ (on servicing and repairs) Mon-Fri 8.30-6 Weekends by arrangement Paul’s Custom Cycles 38 Mount Pleasant WC1X (07960 987 887) ▲ 10-4 Mon-Sat 11-4 Sun Velorution 18 Great Titchfield St W1W 8BD (020 7637 4004) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-18.45 Sat 10.30-18.30 Also sells secondhand bikes
Many of these shops have email addresses and websites. For details, see www.lcc.org.uk/discounts
EAST Bicycle Magic 4-6 Greatorex St E1 5NF (020 7375 2993) ■ ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-5 Bikehut 3-4 Ave Maria Ln EC4M 7AQ (020 7332 4160) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 9-6 Sun10-5 Brick Lane Bikes 118 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 6DG (020 7033 9053) ✔ Mon-Fri 9-7Sat 11-7 Sun 11-6 Chainlink Cycle Centre 140 Hornchurch Rd Hornchurch RM11 1DP (01708 470 007) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Cotswold Outdoor Ground floor, St Clements House, Leyden St E1 7LL (020 7655 466) ♣ (quote ref L2115 and show card) Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5 CycleSurgery Brody House Strype St E1 7LQ (020 7375 3088) ▲ ✔ Mon/Weds/Fri 8.30-6 Tues/Thurs 8.30-7 Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4 CycleSurgery 12-13 Bishops Sq, E1 6EG (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 6AE (020 8539 2821) ▲ ✔ Not on promotional products. MonSat 9.15-5.30 E A Cycles 783 Romford Rd, Manor Park, Newham E12 5AN (020 8478 2540) 5% bikes; ■ ✔ 10% servicing Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Discounts not on promotional or sale items Evans Cycles The Cavern 1 Market St (Off Brushfield St) E1 6AA (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 EC4M 7LD (020 7248 2349) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 18-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles Cullum St EC3M 7JJ (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 5EZ (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 9PT (020 8527 1592) ■ ➔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5.30 London Fields Cycles 281 Mare St E8 1PJ (020 8525 0077) ● ✔ MonFri 8-6 Sat 10-6 Wharf Cycles 21-23 Westferry Rd, E14 8JH (020 7987 2255) ✔ Mon-Fri 8-7; Sat 10-5; Sun 11-4 NORTH Bike and Run 125 High Rd N2 8AG (020 8815 1845) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9.30-5.30 Bike Mech The Castle Climbing Centre Green Lanes N4 2HA (07762 270 616) 10% discount on servicing only Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat 10-5 Bikes R Us Mobile repairs in north London (020 8882 8288, 07949 066 889) ● ✔ on servicing and most repairs Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 CycleSurgery 70 Holloway Rd N7 8JG (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 9AY (020 8368 3001) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 (Closed Weds) Sat 9-5 Sun 11-3 Holloway Cycles 290 Holloway Road N7 6NJ (020 7700 6611) ▲ ✔ 10% servicing/labour Mon-Fri 8.30-6.30 Sat 9-6 Sun 11-5 Mosquito Bikes 123 Essex Rd N1 2SN (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 9EN (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
RVEY: 2008 MEMBERSHIP SUIN TELL US WHAT YOU TH K!
even better. the work that we do to support cyclists Help us make membership of LCC and bership Survey. It will only take a minute or two of Tell us what you think in our 2008 Mem .lcc.org.uk. your time. Just fill it in online at www
Win £200 worth of bike gear!
her to spend at one of our affiliated bike By entering, you could win a £200 vouc
shops.
32 October/November 2008 LONDON CYCLIST
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LCC members’ pages
Many of these shops have email and websites. For details, see www.lcc.org.uk 9182) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6, Weds 9-7 (Closed Thurs) Top Rider 210 Baker Street, Enfield EN1 (020 83638618) ✔ Closed Wed & Sun Mon-Sat 9-5.30 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 6AG (020 8202 4671) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30, Sun 11-1 Broadway Bikes 5 York Pde NW9 6BE (020 8202 4671) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30, Sun 11-1 Chamberlaines 75-77 Kentish Town Rd NW1 8NY (020 7485 4488) ■ ✔ Includes shop discount Mon-Sat 8.30-6 Cycle King 451-455 Rayners Ln Pinner HA5 4ET (020 8868 6262) ■ ♣ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 9-4.30 Cycle King 173 Hillside Stonebridge NW10 8LL (020 8965 5544) ■ ♣ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-5 Cyclelife Mill Hill 8 Bittacy Hill NW7 1LB (020 8346 5784) ▲ ✔ Thur-Fri 9-5.30 Sat 9-5 Sun 10-3 Mon 9-5.30 CycleSurgery 44 Chalk Farm Rd NW1 8AJ (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 1QS (020 7431 4300) ▲ ✔ Mon/Weds/Fri 9-6 Tues/Thurs 9-7 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles 240 Watford Way, NW4 4UB (0870 142 0108) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8, Sat 9.30-6, Sun 11-5 Simpson’s Cycles 114-116 Malden Rd NW5 4BY (020 7485 1706) ▲✔ (Birdys ■) Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5.30 Sparks 5 Bank Buildings High St NW10 4LT (020 8838 5858) ●✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-6 SOUTH Bikes Plus 429 Brighton Rd CR2 6EU (020 8763 1988) ▲✔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Cycle King 26-40 Brighton Rd CR2 6AA (020 8649 9002) ■ ♣ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 9-4.30 Evans Cycles 5 London Rd CR0 2RE (020 8667 1423) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 9-6 Thurs 9-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 SOUTH-EAST Bigfoot Bikes 50 Hayes St BR2 7LD (020 8462 5004) ● ➔ Inc servicing; exc labour Tues-Sat 9-5.30 Bike Shop (The) 288-290 Lee High Rd SE13 5PJ (020 8852 6680) ▲ ✔ on items over £10 Mon-Fri
9-5.30 Sat 9-5 Blackfen Cycle Centre 23 Wellington Pde Blackfen Rd DA15 9NB (020 8303 3761) ▲ ✔ (Incl labour) Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5.30 Sun 10-3 Bromley Bike Company 27 Widmore Rd BR1 1RW (020 8460 4852) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 Thurs 9-8 Comptoncycles.co.uk 23-25 Catford Hill SE6 4NU (020 8690 0141) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5 Deens Garage 439 Croydon Rd BR3 3PP (020 8650 0630) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 8.30-5.30 Edwardes 221-225 Camberwell Rd SE5 0HG (020 7703 3676) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 8.30-6 Evans Cycles 111-115 Waterloo Rd SE1 8UL (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 8LL (020 7928 4785) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8-8 (Closed Weds 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 11-5 Evans Cycles 6 Tooley St SE1 2SY (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 9AA (020 8671 6900) ● ➔ Tues-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-5 (Closed Sun & Mon) London Recumbents Rangers Yard Dulwich Park College SE21 7BQ (8299 6636) ● ✔ Variable discount on bike hire. Mon-Sun 10-6 On Your Bike 52-54 Tooley St SE1 2SZ (020 7378 6669) ▲ ✔ Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 Also has bike hire. Discounts don’t apply to sale items or cycle scheme bikes
ReCycling 110 Elephant Rd SE17 1LB (020 7703 7001) ▲✖ Only sells catalogue returns, renovated and secondhand bikes Robinsons Cycles 172 Jamaica Rd, SE16 4RT (020 7237 4679) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-6; Thur 9.30-2pm Sidcup Cycle Centre 142-146 Station Rd DA15 7AB (020 8300 8113) ✔ Mon-Fri 9-5.30; Thurs 9-7; Sat 9-5 Witcomb Cycles 25 Tanners Hill, Deptford SE8 4PJ (020 8692 1734) ■ ✔ Mon closed; Tues, Wed, Fri 9.30-5; Thurs, Sat 9.30-4 Wilsons 32 Peckham Rd SE15 5EB (0207 639 1338) ▲✔ Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5 Xadventure Bikes 25-29 Perry Hill, SE23 2NE (020 8699 6768) ▲✔ Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 No discount on servicing SOUTH-WEST Action Bikes 221 The Broadway SW19 1SD (020 8540 0313) ▲ ✔
Action Bikes 437 Upper Richmond Rd SW14 7PJ ✔ (020 8876 5566) Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 11-4 Bicycle Warehouse 214-216 Kingston Rd TW11 (020 8977 2925) ▲ ✔ 10% servicing Mon-Sat 9-5.30 Sun 10-4 Bonthrone Bikes/SBR 917-919 Fulham Rd, SW6 5HU (020 7731 5005) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 11-7; Thurs 11-8; Sat 10-6; Sun 12-5 Brixton Cycles 145 Stockwell Rd SW9 9TN (020 7733 6055) ● ✔ Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat 9-6 Thurs 9-7 Cowley Security Locksmiths (Locks and key cutting) 146 Colne Rd TW2 6QS (020 8894 1212) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-5 Cyclopedia 256 Fulham Rd SW10 9EL (020 7351 5776) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 9.30-6 Sun 10.30-5 Dialabike 30 Strutton Ground SWIP 2HR (020 7233 4224) ■ ✔ Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30 Evans Cycles 13-15 Jerdan Pl SW6 1BE (020 7384 5550) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 8am-8pm (Closed Mon 11-12) Sat 9.30am-6pm Sun 11am-5pm Evans Cycles Clapham Unit 2 65-79 Clapham High St SW4 7TG ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8 Sat 12-6 Sun 12-6 Evans Cycles 320-320b Vauxhall Bridge Rd SW1V 1AA (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 KT2 5EE (020 8549 2559) ▲ ✔ Incl servicing Mon-Fri 9-6 Thurs 9-8 (Closed Thurs 11-12) Sat 9.30-6 Sun 10-4 Evans Cycles 167-173 Wandsworth High St SW18 4JB (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 1TW (020 7228 4279) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-5.30 Sun 10-3.30 Mend-a-Bike 19 The Arches 33 Munster Rd SW6 4ER (020 7371 5867) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9-7 Sat 9-6 Mike’s Bikes 27 Aberconway Rd SM4 5LN (020 8640 1088) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 8-5.30 Sat 9-4 Moore’s Cycles 61 London Rd TW1 3SZ (020 8744 0175) Mon, Sat 9BIKES
ACCESSORIES
0%
●
✖
5%
■
➔
10%
▲
✔
15%
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5.30; Tue-Fri 9-6; Sun 10-4 ▲ ✔ Moose Cycles 48 High St SW19 2BY (020 8544 9166) ● ✔ Mon-Fri 9.30-7 Pitfield Cycles 137 Kingston Rd KT3 3NX (020 8949 4632) ■ ➔ Mon-Sat 9-5.30 Prologue 232 Upper Richmond Rd SW14 8AG (020 8878 6266) ▲ ✔ 15% servicing Mon closed Wed 8-8 Tue/Thur-Fri 9-6 Sun 12-5 Discount applies to BH brand bikes only Psubliminal 17 Balham High St, SW12 9AJ (020 8772 0707) 5% off servicing. Tues-Fri 9-6.30 Thurs 9-7 Sat 9-5.30 Putney Cycles 337 Putney Bridge Rd, SW15 2PG (020 8785 3147) ✔ Mon-Fri 8-6.30 Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Siecle 789 Wandsworth Rd SW8 3JQ (020 7978 2345) ❋ ✖ (only to bikes) Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30 Sat 10-4 Smith Brothers 14 Church Rd SW19 5DL (020 8946 2270) ▲ Also has bike hire services Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 South Bank Cycles 194 Wandsworth Rd SW8 2JU (020 7622 3069) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Stratton Cycles Ltd 101 East Hill SW18 2QB (020 8874 1381) ● ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Triandrun 53 Wimbledon Hill Rd SW19 7QW (020 8971 2065) ■ ✔ 10% labour/servicing. Full price items WEST Action Bikes 101 Uxbridge Rd W12 8NL (020 8743 5265) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Action Bikes 176 Chiswick High Rd W4 1PR (020 8994 1485) ● ➔ Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Bikewise 61 Swakeleys Rd UB10 8DQ (01895 675376) ■ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-5.30 Sun 10-2 Cyclopedia 262 Kensington High St W8 6ND (020 7603 7626) ● ✔ MonFri 8-8 Sat 9.30-6 Sun 10.30-5 Evans Cycles 548-550 Chiswick High Rd W4 5RG (0870 060 5489) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 8-8, Sat 9.30-6, Sun 11-5 Moore’s Cycles 3-5 St John’s Rd TW7 6NA (020 8560 7131) ▲✔ Mon, Sat 9-5.30; Tues-Fri 9-6; Sun 10-4 WIZZBIKE.com 113-114 High St TW8 8AT (020 8326 2819) ▲ ✔ Mon-Sat 9-6; Sun 11-5 Woolsey of Acton 281 Acton Ln W4 5DH (020 8994 6893) ▲ ✔ Mon-Fri 9.30-6.30 Sat 9.30-6 (Closed Wed)
• 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 BRENT
On November 5 you can do something far more interesting than letting off fireworks by coming to hear the director of LCC, Koy Thompson, talk to Brent Cyclists about how he sees the future of cycling in Boris’ London, and what he thinks LCC and its borough groups’ roles will be. Further delays in the planning process surrounding the Brent Cross Cricklewood development may indicate that Brent and Barnet Cyclists’ fairly high-profile campaign against the current form of the transport elements of the plan may be having an effect. We raised the matter at the GLA, and have now been offered a meeting with the developers in which we intend to involve council officers as well. Discussions have been continuing on the plans for ‘Greenways to the Olympics’ around Wembley. Brent parks department doesn’t like the idea of using Fryent Country Park for bike routes. We tend to agree, and would like to see bike paths on both sides of Fryent Way instead. Members had more local history and etymology drummed into them on the Plane and Simple Ride to Elstree in July, and further outings are planned. Meetings: 7.30pm (preceded by business meeting at 6.30pm) on Wednesday, October 1, Wednesday, November 5 and Wednesday, December 3 at the Samaritans Centre, 1 Leopold Road, NW10 9LN. Contact: Ben Tansley (07941 050161, coordinator@brentcyclists.org.uk) Website: www.brentcyclists.org.uk.
Photo: Philip Loy, Kingston Cycling Campaign
BROMLEY
On the first anniversary of the re-constituted group, we have found our niche, aiming for some joined-up thinking to promote cycling. Two projects are on the boil for the largest borough with the largest number of cars, highest car use, and lowest number of cycle journeys: a leaflet into schools in the spring listing introductory rides led by ourselves and the traditional cycling clubs (we are encouraging the latter to reach out more to the beginner) and increasing provision for youth cycling in the borough, again looking for interest and participation from the traditional clubs, the council, bike shops, youth clubs; maybe leading to a new youth cycle club. Meetings: 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of month at Bromley College, London Road, Bromley BR1 1PE Contact: Charles Potter (07951 780869, coordinator@bromleycyclists.org) Website: www.bromleycyclists.org EALING
Ealing Borough Council’s cycling officer has agreed to provide us with a list of the works identified on the LCN+ routes in the borough and an indication of progress to date; we are expecting a response by October. We have augmented our programme of monthly Sunday rides with occasional midweek evening rides to enjoy the long summer evenings and local hostelries. The ‘Cycle into summer 2008’ project has enjoyed great success in local schools and is about to enter the late summer festival phase with invitations to Brentford and Greenford
Dennis White and Jon Fray of Kingston Cycling Campaign at a police HGV spatial awareness event in Richmond Park
festivals. At the time of writing, arrangements were under way for a marshalled ride to the west London Freewheel hub. Meetings: The first Wednesday of the month (see website for venue details) Social ride: The first Sunday of the month, meet 10am Ealing Town Hall (details on the website) Contact: David Lomas (020 8579 0805, david_lomas28@hotmail.com) Website: www.ealingcycling.org.uk ENFIELD
Are you an employee of Enfield Council? If so, please write to your personnel department asking why they do not operate a Cycle to Work scheme (which would enable you to buy a bike tax-free, so long as you use it to ride to work). Apparently, the council made a decision not to operate a Cycle to Work scheme, despite already operating similar schemes for car parking and childcare. Fortunately, the council has agreed to review the decision in the near future. I’m sure that any supportive letters or emails they receive would help to achieve a favourable outcome. The next Cycle Forum will take place on October 7 at Enfield Civic Centre. If you would like to help influence cycling policy in Enfield and could come along to these quarterly meetings, please email Richard Reeve (email address below). Meetings: October 2 at 8pm at Winchmore Hill Cricket Club (back bar), The Paulin Ground, Firs Lane, N21 3ER. November 6 at 8pm at The Jolly Butchers pub, 168 Baker Street, EN1 3JS Contact: Richard Reeve (0870 321 3717, r.reeve@blueyonder.co.uk) Website: www.lccenfield.fsnet.co.uk Our rides list can be found on the Edmonton CC website: www.edmontoncyclingclub.fsnet.co.uk HACKNEY
In June, Lucinda Ferrier became the fifth person in the past two years to be killed by a lorry while cycling in our borough. The 32-year-old from
Tottenham was fatally injured at the junction with Manor Road while travelling south down Stamford Hill. This does not appear to have been the classic left-hook collision, and there is a suggestion that poor road surface may have contributed. An LCC member has been reporting defects at this junction, including severe rutting caused by buses, to TfL since May 2007. No work resulted until a few hours after the collision, when contractors arrived to fix the rutting. It is difficult to describe the dreadful frequency of these truck/cyclist collisions as anything other than a crisis, threatening the progress that has been made on popularising cycling and reducing road danger in our borough. We are asking senior figures in Hackney to set up a Hackney-based cycling/HGV taskforce to bring together all interested agencies and organisations on the local level to co-ordinate actions which can be delivered locally, and to give Hackney a strong, united voice in calling for actions that can only be delivered by higher levels of government. At our annual general meeting in July, we had presentations from Sally Haywill about STA Bikes, the organisation which delivers Hackney’s cycle training programme, and from Adam Thompson about Ciemmona, the huge bike gathering in Rome which he attended for the second year running. Anna Kidd stepped forward to take on the role of secretary, and Bea Yates volunteered to put her photographic skills to use in publicity for the group. The joyously non-competitive ‘Tour de Hackney’ took place in August, with hundreds of people completing a circuit around Shoreditch and out to Hackney Marshes, marshalled by LCC volunteers (see page 5). Co-promoted by the Shoreditch Trust and Hackney Council, the event also saw cycling-themed attractions in Shoreditch Park, including an international bike polo tournament and the ever-popular Rollapaluza roller racing. Meanwhile Hackney Streetscene continues to
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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
LOCAL GROUP PROFILE LAMBETH CYCLISTS About Lambeth LCC group Lambeth Cyclists has been around in one form or another since the late 1980s or early 1990s. It adopted a formal constitution in 1999 when the connection with LCC was formally recognised and elections for committee posts were given a formal basis. Lambeth has about 800 members of the LCC in the borough. “We undertake various activities such as commenting on the council’s highway proposals and working with them on sustainable transport initiatives,” says co-ordinator Philip Loy. “More recent campaigning issues have concerned a contraflow on Brixton Water Lane, the one-way working in Brixton, and a new slip road at Herne Hill junction. On the social side, our Architecture Rides have become phenomenally successful.” Key campaign victories: The council’s adoption of a hierarchy of vulnerable road users was pushed for and supported by Lambeth Cyclists and has long been council policy. “Our maintenance classes have also been very successful and demonstrate the demand for such training to maintain a cycling culture,” says Philip. “We have worked with other organisations such as the sustainable energy consultancy SEA on a social regeneration project in Stockwell that involved cycling projects.”
tick items off our wish list with improvements large and small, including the reconnection of Hilsea Street and Millfields Road in Clapton, the provision of new on-carriageway cycle parking in Charlotte Road down in south Shoreditch, and the restoration of two-way cycling in Paul Street EC2 by next Spring. Meetings: First Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm, at Marcon Court Estate Community Hall, near corner of Amhurst Road and Marcon Place, E8 1LN. 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 HAVERING
The August 26 Havering Cycle Liaison Group set a record with 14 council officers and delegates attending. Commencing with a report on the progress of the shared-use paths across the council’s land adjoining Rainham Marsh RSPB Reserve, we were shown pics of the bridges that have been fabricated offsite and are being lowered into place over the watercourses and ditches. When safety audits have been carried out, the work can be completed and the path opened to allow off-road access to the riverside path to Purfleet. Look out for an announcement in Living and the local press. An application is being made for ERDF finance for access, and the Wildspace project to promote regeneration and visitor traffic to Rainham and the riverside area continues to attract funding. There is also involvement with the Thames Gateway Parklands Funding Stream for access to the Rainham to Purfleet Path. This was followed by an update on the Ingrebourne Valley Greenway.
A Lambeth Cyclists’ Architecture Ride in 2007 on the theme of ‘Lutyens’, which looked at his work in the City
How to get involved: See www.lambethcyclists.org.uk or email lambeth_cyclists@hotmail.com for more on the group. Co-ordinator Philip Loy can be contacted on 020 8677 8624 (leave a message). “All are welcome to our meetings, rides, and other events,” says Philip. “Meetings are generally the third Tuesday of the month, and rides generally the last Saturday (sometimes Sunday) of the month. Meetings are held at the Bread & Roses at 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4.
We anticipate meeting the new appointees for this Thames Chase project, Katie and Amy, at the next opportunity. There’s also a feasibility study for a ‘Pegasus’ Crossing (a toucan, plus facilities for horses and riders) at the top of Shepherd’s Hill. Ingrebourne Hill Country Park shall remain under Forestry Commission management, so we propose to contact them to discuss the dusty, loose gravel main paths and the marking of the mountain bike course. Another tranche of cycle-parking stands shall be installed shortly, including Hornchurch Library. They shall continue to be in the ‘tall and narrow’ design (http:// www.london21.org/page/75/show/49) which has been well-received in the trial locations. Requests have been received for stands at the Queen’s Theatre, Fairkytes Arts Centre and Hornchurch Stadium. We are concerned that the library stands are scheduled for the back of the building, where there’s no entrance and it’s fairly concealed. We studied the list of locations visited in our borough inspection ride in June, and funding for some items has already been secured. Our next meeting in is planned for October 24, and shall probably head to the north of the borough. Come along if you would like to draw attention to any problems in that area. Terry, Dave, Jeff, etc held a successful Dr Bike and stall at the Havering Show over August Bank Holiday weekend. Comments received included the long-standing need for access across Romford Centre, and there were enquiries for cycle training (currently not available within the borough.) Thanks to all those who assisted over the two days. Liaison Group Meeting (proposed inspection ride:) Friday, October 24. Meeting time and assembly point details to be confirmed Normal meetings: From 4pm in the ninth floor
meeting room, Mercury House, Romford. Borough of Havering: Daniel Douglas, (01708 432850, daniel.douglas@havering.gov.uk) Havering Cycling Campaign: Bernie Curtis (01708 347 226, CurtisBernieS@aol.com) ISLINGTON
Islington has some original cycle parking being installed around the borough since the council has purchased 25 Cyclehoops, robust steel rings that are clamped to existing street signposts to make secure cycle parking (see page 6 of this issue). The designer, Anthony Lau, attended our August meeting to ask for suggestions on locations and our feedback on those already installed. See www.cyclehoop.com. Transport for London has commissioned a review of the area around King’s Cross, roughly bounded east-west by Liverpool Road and York Way, and north-south by Copenhagen and Calthorpe streets. We’ve been asked for our comments and if you have any, especially on barriers that you may come across when cycling within this area, such as one-way streets, please let me know. It’s your last chance (ends October 31) to buy a copy of The Square Bicycle Quest, sold in aid of the charity Afasic, for speech impaired children. Produced by one of our members, you’ll have hours of fun cycling to 73 of London’s squares to answer a question in each. Costs £3 and prizes to be won. For details, contact Jonathan on 07946 261165 or j.edwards530@btinternet.com Meetings: 7.30pm on second Wednesday of the month (October 8, November 12 and December 10) at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD Contact: Alison Dines (020 7226 7012, alisondines@clara.co.uk) Website: www.icag.org.uk
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Local groups
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER DEADLINE: 6pm, Thursday, October 30 Email news to boroughnews@lcc.org.uk – photos are welcome and will be published if space permits
OTHER LOCAL GROUP CONTACTS KINGSTON
Official figures show that there were 20% more reported cyclist casualties in the borough last year compared with the year before. This should be viewed in the context of the sustained increased level of cycling, but even so it’s not good. We are planning a meeting with Councillor Bob Steed to discuss with him what cyclists want, expect and need from the council. Our Bread Pudding rides programme is busier and more varied than ever with rides to suit riders whether they feel more or less energetic. We hope to host cyclists from Oldenburg in the spring next year. Would you like to help out? Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Meetings: 8.30pm on October 14 and November 11 at the Waggon & Horses pub, Surbiton Hill Road, KT6 4TW Contact: Rob James (020 8546 8865) Website: www.kingstoncycling.org.uk RICHMOND
Bike Week came and went; our most successful ride was our Music History Bike tour of the borough, good weather (if a bit windy), lots of people and some interesting sites to visit. Look out for a revised version next year. On the campaign front, we are still dealing with the end of year council changes. There is a new interim principal cycling engineer and the job has been advertised. It’ll probably be funded by the Smarter Travel money (£5 million over three years to invest in sustainable travel). The Cycling Liaison Group nearly met for the first time in 18 months but was postponed until October at the last minute. These meetings are the public’s chance to engage the council on cycling issues and to find out what cycle provision is to be implemented, so please come along if you get the chance. Let us know if you have any issues you would like raised. Our rides continue to be a slow-burning success but we need people who would like to lead them. Commitment would be reduced to once a year and you get to lead a ride to a place you want to go. Get in touch if you fancy planning a route and/or leading a ride. Meetings: Second Monday of the month Contact: info@rcc.myzen.co.uk, 07976 294626 Website: www.richmondlcc.co.uk General blog: http://richmondcc.blogspot.com Rides blog: http://richmondccrides.blogspot.com SOUTHWARK
Our 14 rides for the London Festival of Architecture 2008 have created more such rides from the team right through until the next LFA in
2010 – other LFA spinoffs include our Flood Ride with LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre), our Tour of the Tunnels under the Woolwich Flood barrier with the Environment Agency, new rides with Cooltan Arts and the South London and Maudsley Hospital group, and the really lovely Words, Birds and Bikes tour of the Hoo Peninsula with poet Germander Speedwell. And all of those happy engagements are creating more and more. Viral biking. You’d better be at Better Bankside for 7pm on Wednesday, October 8. It’s our Annual General Meeting at which Southwark Cyclists’ treasurer, secretary, rides coordinator, webmaster, planner, Sustrans person and, yes, coordinator all step down and maybe up again for re-election – or not. Make history. Be there. We’re saving the ‘LFA thankyou wine’ until after those elections. And in November we’ll know whether our £4.5m Lottery bid with Burgess Park Bike Track and others succeeds or not. It’s all looking very good indeed. And yes, Afterworkers every Thursday throughout the darkness. And diary our 25/12 ride too. Meetings: 7pm-8.30pm, the second Wednesday of the month at Better Bankside Community Space, Great Guildford Street, SE1 0TF. Contact: Barry Mason (07905 889 005, info@southwarkcyclists.org.uk) Website: www.southwarkcyclists.org.uk WESTMINSTER
Once again the Royal Parks are leading the way in improving cycle routes across Westminster. Changes to the junction of Hyde Park’s South and West Carriage drives have created a through route between the Albert Memorial and Hyde Park Corner along the South Carriage Drive. This should relieve pressure on the heavily used Rotten Row path. Improvements are also being made at the junction of the Mall with Marlborough Road. Meanwhile in Regent’s Park, cycling is again allowed along the Broad Walk in a further 18-month trial. By the time you read this, we will have met the council at the Westminster Cycle Forum. We are looking forward to hearing what they expect to do for cycling on their own roads. Meetings: Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm at Heart of London Business Alliance, London House, 53-54 Haymarket, SW1Y 4RP Contact: Colin Wing (020 7828 1500, cyclist@westminstercyclists.org.uk) Website: www.westminstercyclists.org.uk
Members’ adverts ◆ FOR SALE: Brompton six speed black with luggage rack & straps. Plus bike lock and carrier. Good condition. £200. David 020 8988 3288 evening/weekend or forestepping@yahoo.co.uk ◆ FOR SALE: 21-inch Claud Butler 531. 5 S/A gears. £30. Phone John Powell 020 8504 7089. How to advertise Small, non-business ads are free to LCC members. Email londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk or write to the address on page 3, including your short advertisement, name, address and LCC membership number. The Dec/Jan issue deadline is 6pm, October 30. For larger advertisements, contact Anthon (020 7306 0300 ext 112 or lcc@mongoosemedia.com)
BARKING & DAGENHAM Contact: Colin Newman (07761 577 255, colin.newman@stibasa.org.uk) Website: www.stibasa.org.uk BARNET Contact: Jeremy Parker (020 8440 9080) Website: www.barnetlcc.org BEXLEY Contact: Frances Renton (01322 441 979, f.renton@gold.ac.uk) or Dave Reynolds (01322 525 481) CAMDEN Contact: Jean Dollimore (020 7485 5896, jean@dollimore.net) Website: www.camdencyclists.org.uk CITY CYCLISTS Website: www.citycyclists.org.uk CROYDON Contact: info@croydon-lcc.org.uk Website: www.croydon-lcc.org.uk GREENWICH Contact: Julian Dobson (07771 692 344) Website: www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM Contact: John Griffiths (020 7371 1290, 07789 095 748, john@truefeelings.com) Website: www.hfcyclists.org.uk HARINGEY Contact: Adam Coffman (adam@tao.org.uk) Website: www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups HARROW Website: www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups HILLINGDON Contact: Sarah James (020 8868 2912) or Steve Ayres (01895 230 953) HOUNSLOW Contact: Liz Trayhorn (020 8751 5430, liz.trayhorn@googlemail.com) KENSINGTON & CHELSEA Contact: Philip Loy (07960 026 450, philip_loy@yahoo.co.uk) Website: www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups LAMBETH Contact: Philip Loy (07960 026 450, lambeth_cyclists@hotmail.com) Website: www.lambethcyclists.org.uk LEWISHAM Contact: Ian or Paul (info@lewishamcyclists.net) Website: www.lewishamcyclists.net MERTON Contact: Richard Evans (020 8946 0912, info@mertoncyclists.org.uk) Website: www.mertoncyclists.org.uk NEWHAM Contact: Bernie McDonnell (07947 236 965) Website: www.lcc.org.uk > local groups REDBRIDGE Contact: Gill James (020 8989 4898, gilljames@ btinternet.com) and Chris Elliott (020 8989 6285, c.elliott@dsl.pipex.com) Website: www.redbridgelcc.org.uk SUTTON Contact: Chris Parry (020 8647 3584, c.parry@blueyonder.co.uk) Website: www.lcc.org.uk > Local groups TOWER HAMLETS Contact: Owen Pearson (07903 018 970, wheelers@towerhamletwheelers.org.uk) Website: www.towerhamletwheelers.org.uk WALTHAM FOREST Contact: Robert Vaughan, (020 8520 8858, wfcycling@wfcycling.org.uk) Website: www.wfcycling.org.uk WANDSWORTH 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 event, enter details onto the LCC database (www.lcc.org.uk/rides). To get events into the December/January issue, upload by 6pm, Thursday, October 30, or email londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk
Ride the Jubilee River
Have a family adventure
A new cycling map of Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor is set to open up the area surrounding the Dorney Lake Olympic venue to cyclists. The free Jubilee River & Slough Linear Park Cycle Map shows some of the best cycling and walking routes in the area and is packed with useful information on attractions you can visit along the way and places to hire bikes. Pubs and cafés are also marked to help plan those all important refreshment stops. The routes in the area are mainly flat and motor traffic-free. They cross farmland, woodland and open pasture and pass natural habitats like the specially created breeding ground for birds at Dorney Wetlands, next to the Jubilee River. The map has been produced by sustainable transport charity Sustrans in partnership with Slough Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. It can also be downloaded from www. sustrans.org.uk or ordered by calling on 0845 113 00 65.
Adventure Walks For Families In And Around London by Becky Jones and Clare Lewis (£8.99, Frances Lincoln) is a collection of 25 themed walks, from Highwaymen and Hideouts in Epping Forest to the Survival of the Fittest in Darwin’s Kent, all within easy reach of London. While primarily aimed at walkers, LC reckons that with a little research and a look at the National Cycle Network map (see www. sustrans.org.uk), the walks could be easily adapted to cater for two wheels rather than two legs. Each route offers something to see, draw, collect or visit. A great guide to a fantastic free day in the country.
Barbican hosts screen festival Bikes are back on the big screen from October 1-4 when the London Bicycle Film Festival arrives at the Barbican. Billed as “an itinerant carnival of films, music, seminars and events bringing together many diverse aspects of cycling life and culture from around the globe, the fourth London festival is a branch of the popular worldwide movement. Programme highlights include the UK premiere of Road To Roubaix and The Way Bobby Sees It, the story of a blind mountain biker. The festival will also feature roller racing and bike polo (email polo@bicyclefilmfestival.com to register). Tickets are expected to sell out – for information and to book in advance, see www.barbican.org.uk/film or call 020 7638 8891. For general festival information, including the details of festival dates in other cities, see www.bicyclefilmfestival.com. The festival organisers are keen to hear from people interested in volunteering during the event – email laura@bicyclefilmfestival.com
Road To Roubaix will have its UK premiere at the festival
RIDES AND EVENTS Wednesday, October 1 ◆ 4th London Bicycle Film Festival. Until October 4 (see left) Thursday, October 2 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. 6.30pm Southwark Needle. Contact: Barry (07905 889 005) Saturday, October 4 ◆ Dulwich Paragon Ride. Every Saturday. Meet at Café St Germain on Crystal Palace Parade 9am for a two-hour ride. Contact: www.dulwichparagon.com Sunday, October 5 ◆ Bike Polo. Sundays 1pm in the football court, cnr Brick Lane and Shacklewell Road. Details: http:// myspace.com/bricklanebikepolo ◆ European Tour of London. 10am Ealing Town Hall. Contact: David Eales (07880 797 437) ◆ Greenwich Car-free Day. From noon-4.30pm. Stalls and other activities in town centre ◆ Windsor Wander. 10am Richmond station. Contact: John Goddard (07712 013 001, rccrides@gmail.com) ◆ Bread Pudding Challenge Ride. 10.30am Kingston Market Place for faster-paced ride in Surrey countryside with Kingston Cycling Campaign. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875, johnedunn@blueyonder.co.uk) ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. 9.30am Pollards Hill Library. www.pollardshill cyclists.org.uk, mark@pollard shillcyclists.org.uk Monday, October 6 ◆ Resonance 104.4FM Bike Show. Every Monday, 6.30pm Wednesday, October 8 ◆ LCC retention evening. Volunteer to help LCC with its member mailouts during a fun evening with like-minded members. Contact: Julie Tublin (julie@lcc.org.uk, 020 7234 9310 ext 215) Thursday, October 9 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2 ◆ Cycle 2008. Until October 12 (see right) Sunday, October 12 ◆ Surrey Hills and the Mole Valley with Wandsworth Cyclists. Meet 10.30am at Clapham Junction station. 40-miile on-road ride from Effingham Junction to Horsham ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. See October 5 Wednesday, October 15 ◆ LCC Monthly Social Night.
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Diary
For last-minute rides, contact your local group (details page 34) or see www.lcc.org.uk/rides
See below, right Thursday, October 16 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2 Saturday, October 18 ◆ Richmond Rides For Everyone. 10.30am Bushy Park, Fountain Car Park for ride to Walton and back Contact: Sue Higham (07940 338 820, rccrides@ gmail.com) Sunday, October 19 ◆ Bread Pudding Ride. 10.30am Kingston Market Place for easypaced ride in Surrey countryside with Kingston Cycling Campaign. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875, johnedunn@blueyonder. co.uk) ◆ Little Green Ride. 9.45am Finsbury Park mainline station for train to Hertfordshire for an easy paced ride 30-mile ride. Contact: Stephen Taylor (07977 235 735, sltaylor001@yahoo.co.uk) ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. See October 5 Thursday, October 23 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2 Thursday, October 30 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2 Friday, October 31 ◆ Critical Mass. 6pm National Film Theatre on South Bank. See www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk ◆ ICAG Feeder Ride to Critical Mass. 6.15pm from Islington Town Hall. Contact: Chris Ashby (020 7609 5093) Sunday, November 2 ◆ Jubilee River. Leaves Ealing Town Hall at 10am. Details: www. ealingcycling.org.uk Contact: David Eales (07880 797 437) ◆ Richmond Cycling Campaign Ride. 9.30am Richmond Little Green for ride into countryside. Contact: Ian Lyall (07881 501 201, rccrides@gmail.com) ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. See October 5 Thursday, November 6 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2 Sunday, November 9 ◆ Ride the the City with Wandsworth Cyclists. Meet 10.30am at Clapham Junction station. 25-mile ride from Battersea to Greenwich ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. See October 5 Tuesday, November 11 ◆ LCC retention evening. See October 8 Thursday, November 13 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2
Rural Rides 2008, published by Nottinghamshire County Council, outlines dozens of guided rides held in the county. Rides are free to join – just turn up at the starting point and head off under the guidance of a local leader. Follow quiet lanes and offroad routes at a leisurely pace, with frequent stops to take in points of interest or the view. Rides are designed for the casual rider, and organisers say that all shapes and sizes of bikes and riders are welcome. Lycra is an optional extra. The brochure can be downloaded from the cycling section at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk or requested by calling 01559 772 166.
Cycle show returns
Newham rides
The UK’s largest bike exhibition returns to Earl’s Court from October 9-12. Anyone interested in cycling should find something of interest at the show. Try 2009 bikes before they hit the stores, see the latest clothing and accessories or chat to cycle holiday operators about getting away from it all on your bike. For tickets, call 0844 848 0133 or you can book online at www.cycle2008.co.uk There is a 10% LCC member discount, so have your membership number to hand when you call (some conditions do apply).
Newham Cyclists, in partnership with Newham Council, has published a leaflet Ride & Stride: A Guide To Walking And Cycling Between London’s Olympic & Paralympic Venues. The leaflet features two routes: the New Newham Ride route and the 2012 Games route. Copies of the leaflet are available by calling 020 8430 3662 .
LCC’s monthly social nights LCC’s monthly socials happen from 6.30pm on the third Wednesday of each month (not November, owing to LCC AGM), upstairs at the Leather Exchange, 25 Leathermarket Street, SE1. The evenings are open to all LCC members and those who want to find out more about the organisation. People who may not previously have considered getting involved can meet staff and active members to chat about LCC and cycling in general. For more information, call the LCC office (contact details page 31).
New route links Celtic Trail across Wales
A new motorised traffic-free route has opened near Bridgend and forms part of a trail stretching across Wales. The five-mile Cwm Ogwr Fach section of the Celtic Trail follows the former railway line and parish road, and prevents walkers and cyclists having to drop onto the A4093.
Saturday, November 15 ◆ Richmond Rides For Everyone. 10.30am Bushy Park, Fountain car park for ride along the towpath to Richmond Contact: Sue Higham (07940 338 820, rccrides@gmail.com) Sunday, November 16 ◆ Little Green Ride. See October 19 ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. See October 5 Wednesday, November 19 ◆ LCC Annual General Meeting. City Hall. Details: 020 7234 9310 or see the leaflet inserted into this issue of London Cyclist ◆ London Cycling Awards announced. City Hall, prior to LCC AGM (see above) Thursday, November 20 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2 Sunday, November 23 ◆ Bread Pudding Ride Autumn Special. 10.30am and 2pm Kingston Market Place Meet 10.30am and 2pm for two easypaced local rides with Kingston Cycling Campaign. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875, johnedunn@blueyonder.co.uk) ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. See October 5 Thursday, November 27 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Afterworker. See October 2 Friday, November 28 ◆ Critical Mass. See October 31 ◆ ICAG Feeder Ride to Critical Mass. See October 31 Sunday, November 30 ◆ Weekly ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. See October 5 PLANNING AHEAD Wednesday, December 10 ◆ LCC retention evening. See October 8 Thursday, December 25 ◆ Southwark Cyclists’ Christmas Day Ride. Contact: Barry (07905 889 005) Tuesday, January 13 ◆ LCC retention evening. See October 8 Wednesday, February 11 ◆ LCC retention evening. See October 8 Tuesday, March 10 ◆ LCC retention evening. See October 8 Wednesday, April 18 ◆ LCC retention evening. See October 8 Tuesday, May 12 ◆ LCC retention evening. See October 8
Photo: BritainOnView
Rural routes in Nottinghamshire
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The marketplace
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The marketplace
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Books ’n’ things Fine lines Extract from Cycling Back To Happiness by Bernie Friend Punch and Judy were still going at it hammer and tong next door but one. I bet they’d bonked their way obliviously right through the storm. Their howls of sexual ecstasy were a welcome alarm call. If the shagging marathon was still in full swing I obviously hadn’t been scooped up by angry winds and tossed in the direction of Iceland. It didn’t feel like I was bobbing about or getting wet. I was dry and still alive. My pathetic little tent had passed the acid test, firmly standing its ground against all the odds. Size really wasn’t everything. Cruel black clouds were still hanging over Norddeich as I made a hasty retreat. Bold wind surfers were making the most of the blustery conditions as dark waves washed up yellowy foam on the rocky shoreline. As Norddeich trailed into the distance the weather picked up and even the cows were standing up for the occasion. One ginger specimen bore an uncanny resemblance to German international goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, including his big flat square head and miserable expression. The coastal communities of Bensersiel, Neuharlingersiel and Harlesiel were all small ports, serving the German Frisian Islands of Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge. Much more attractive than neighbouring Norddeich, they reminded me of the Cornish fishing villages nan and granddad would drag me around by hand on school holidays. Day-trippers waltzed past the plastic floats and green draping nets hanging from small fishing vessels, while I had a quick map check outside the Minger Cafe, whose waitresses weren’t unattractive. It was 60 kilometres to Wilhelmshaven and the promise of a warm bed with the Radmers. Horst Radmer, was a North Sea Cycle Route legend having road-tested the route on its inaugural ride in 2001. He had offered to put me up for a few days and I was hoping to re-assess my stubborn negative view of the German race. Passing the village of Carolinensiel and its miniature Tom Sawyer style steam boat which lay idle on the banks of the river, I was hailed by a couple of Chuckle Brothers lookalike competition winners. These were real professional cycling tourists, kitted out in top quality gear and proving again that Germans have to do everything on a grand scale. I certainly felt inferior in my shorts and T-shirt compared to these guys, who even had satellite navigation systems screwed into their handlebars. Tossers. I pretended not to hear them and let them disappear down the road. Cycling Back To Happiness: Adventure On The North Sea Cycle Route, Bernie Friend (£8.99, Pen Press Publishers)
Reviews Nowtopia: How Pirate Programmers, Outlaw Bicyclists And Vacant-Lot Gardeners Are Inventing The Future Today, Chris Carlsson (£13, AK Press) This fascinating book combines academic discourse with demonstrable, practical application. Carlsson explains how many people operate within the framework of capitalism while furthering their values through community gardening, cycle activism and bio-fuel technologies. Knowledge-based technology such as the internet, far from enslaving people, is fundamental in mobilising groups and breaking down barriers, he argues. Chapter six concerns itself exclusively with cycling counter cultures. Written from an American perspective, the book should appeal to anyone interested in social movements or practical alternatives to mainstream culture. Michael Stenning Rebel, Rebel: The Protestor’s Handbook, Bibi van der Zee (£14.99, Guardian Books) Feeling cynical about the power of London’s two-wheeled pedalling people to improve their lot? Rather than stew in your own bitter juices, get hold of Rebel, Rebel and renew your faith in the capacity for change. Guardian journo Bibi van der Zee offers practical advice as well as a historical look at the power of protest in her efforts to encourage us to combine a sense of injustice with creativity in order to make change happen. Inspiring stuff! Erin Gill The CTC Guide To Family Cycling, Dan Joyce (£9.99, James Pembroke Publishing) A book on family cycling is long overdue so it’s very welcome that the first such publication draws on the experience of Dan Joyce, editor of the CTC magazine, with assistance from Chris Juden, the CTC’s technical expert and parent of several children. Whether it’s advice on cycle training, tandems, child seats or learner bikes, the information is all here. The book includes sections on mountain biking and touring, but it’s the child-focused section that are its unique selling point. The book includes a few ads, presumably to defray costs, but don’t let that discourage you from reading a useful and clearly written publication. Tom Bogdanowicz From The Mull To The Cape: A Gentle Bike Ride On the Edge of Wilderness, Richard Guise (£7.99, Summersdale) In 2006 and the following year, Richard Guise cycled 586 miles over 16 days through the Highlands of Scotland, from the Mull of Kintyre in the south to Cape Wrath in the north. He duly came to terms with middle-age and by the third leg of the trip ended up taking a more civilised and practical approach. He cycled over long sections of the beautiful west coast, taking in the islands, Stevenson lighthouses and cloud-shrouded mountains. In his book, he picks out the oddities and beauty that locals or tourists might not see and recounts it all with gentle humour – even amid severe bouts of Highland weather. Guise devises a Scale of Remoteness while describing the history and geography of this romantic part of Britain. Bryant Pattison Thunder & Sunshine, Alastair Humphreys (£7.99, Eye Books) This is the continuation of an epic account of an around the world tour which laste more than three years. Like all good travel writers, Humphreys takes the reader along inside one his bulging panniers. His touching encounters with people who welcome a tired and smelly cyclist into their homes for food – from impoverished Patagonian farmers to suburban churchgoing Americans – demonstrate how similar people from different cultures can be. Despite the hardy traveller guise, there’s no hint of machismo here, as Humphreys treats all in his path with the respect he duly receives in return. There’s something for everyone here – whether you’re seeking inspiration for an epic ride or just wanting a riveting read, Humphreys’ infectious and articulate delivery will keep you turning page after page. Michael Stenning
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Book ’n’ things
Cycle sport We Might As Well Win, Johan Bruyneel with Bill Strickland (£12.99, Mainstream Publishing) Another book focused exclusively on Lance Armstrong? This inside story provides a revealing balance. Bruyneel (and his co-author) explain why, when the Belgian’s road racing career finished, he teamed up with the Texan and formed one of racing’s most successful partnerships. Although you get the impression no other tour directors exist and nobody has ever done it better, ego does not block what is a well-written adventure story, a great insight into the workings of a top team with much practical and inspirational detail. For actual or wannabe racers, this would be a good addition to that shelf devoted to cycling. It’s also ideal for bedtime reading; all the chapters contribute to a strong overall theme, but also seem like short stories. Mark Mitchell The Tour Is Won On The Alpe, Jean-Paul Vespini (£12.95, VeloPress) If you are mad about the Tour de France, especially the mountain stages, then this book is for you. Alpe d’Huez is arguably the most famous of the Tour’s climbs, 13.8km long, with 21 switchback turns. Endorsed in the forward by a former Tour de France director, French journalist Jean-Paul Vespini’s first-hand experience, vivid writing and evident research is translated by David V Herlihy. The book is not only a gripping read, but also an impressive reference work (although sometimes the intensity of detail is a bit demanding). Vespini describes the especially outstanding races up to 2006, and the legendary performers. Statistics in the appendix reveal many useful facts and some surprises. Mark Mitchell
Also out Bad Blood: The Secret Llife Of The Tour de France, Jeremy Whittle (£12.99, Yellow Jersey Press) Whittle spent 10 years following the Tour, witnessing firsthand how the sport became, in his eyes at least, corrupted by commercialism, scandal and doping. Part memoir, part exposé, this ‘insider’s story’ describes how Whittle grew to lose faith in the sport he loves. Lynette Eyb
London Olympics 1948 Olympics: How London Rescued the Games, Bob Phillips (£16.99, SportsBooks) This book examines the first post war games, hosted by a war-ravaged capital that in many regards didn’t have the infrastructure or the means to holding the event. Rather than being a historic catalogue of events, surviving participants and journalists recount the dramas and the challenges as they unfolded. An engaging read for anyone interested in the Olympics. Michael Stenning The 1908 Olympics: The First London Games, Keith Baker (£7.99, SportsBooks) I was expecting a stuffy, chronological account of the first London Olympics, yet found myself transported to a time of intrigue, scandal and hilarity. It examines the history of the Games, funding, and how the British reputation for fair play was frequently called into question. There’s pitch invasions, doping scandals, heroism and the beginnings of corporate sponsorship; things have changed little. Baker’s book should captivate anyone interested in social/sporting history. Michael Stenning
Backpedalling Josie Dew For 15 years I cycled around London towing a bright orange trailer filled with food and all my necessary catering paraphernalia flowing behind me. Following a slight lull in my bicycle trailering career while I pursued a foray into foreign parts attached to four panniers, one handlebar bag, three rack bags, two pairs of socks and a dog dazer (device for dazing savage bike-chasing hounds), my bike is once again the equivalent of a rolling road train as I have recently acquired a trailer complete with flying regalia to haul about behind my swaying steed. It’s like a tent on wheels and even includes a boot to stash a lorry load of shopping. I have retained the child seat on the back of my bike so that Molly (now aged two years) has a choice of seating area: trailer for inclement weather or al-fresco positioning where she sits directly behind me on my back rack for advantageous over-hedge-or-car-roof-viewing possibilities. Through town and city and country we go, though most of our miles are countryside ones. I’m not sure if it’s the slowness of the speed we travel (especially up hill when it feels like I’m dragging a couple of concrete girders) but Molly appears to exhibit an unusual (and perhaps worrying) interest in road chippings. She leans at a bike-swaying angle over the side of her seat pointing and aaaaah-ing at the various formations and grades of loose and embedded stones. Sometimes, at her request, I have to bring the bike to a shuddering halt as a chipping of exceptional interest has been spotted and must hold in her hand. Similar detailed analysis is also had of beetles scuttling across the road. Sometimes it takes all day to get nowhere. Naturally, being an articulated vehicle of considerable weight, I have slight haulage problems in so far as we travel even slower than we used to sans trailer (apart from the down hills, of course). Fully loaded with Molly and multiple seats and shopping and cuddly toys and rocks (Molly likes rocks), rolling backwards downhill is more a probability than pedalling forwards. But we do make it to the top – even if it is two days later than expected. One of the joyful things about cycling uphill is the downhill. Along with taking delight in the painful slowness of the ups, Molly also revels in the speed of the downs. Top speed achieved so far is 36mph which to a car driver might not sound very fast, but to me feels like a rocket when attached to two wheels, four panniers, one trailer and a toddler. Ploughing down hill on a bike with a whooping infant is not the sort of advice you find in your average childcare manual, which is probably why it is so enjoyable. Mind you, when I reach the bottom of the hill, it is quite a relief to find Molly still attached and not lost to the wind a mile back up the road. Josie Dew has written seven books about cycling around the world. For details, see www.josiedew.co.uk
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My way
Greenwich to the City The six glorious miles Aidan Pope pedals each morning take in some of the best – and most historic – sights London has to offer
The road ahead My journey starts outside the Trafalgar pub, so I always salute the statue of Horatio that stands outside. My route is essentially the National Cycle Network’s No 4, tracing the southern bank of the Thames. My next reference point is the building where they brought Nelson to lie in state: the old Naval College, where I glance to my left and see the Queen’s house framed between the two towers – the left one gives me my start time, the right one tells me I’m heading due west. It’s architectural perfection from
Wren and Inigo Jones. Then past the poor Cutty Sark which, for such an important national symbol, had always received inadequate security protection. From here the route then takes you away from the river and around the Deptford Creek, so different from the teeming activity that used to characterise that part of London for centuries. I think of the press gangs and the murder of Christopher Marlowe in a pub brawl. Deptford’s being revived now and I look forward to the day we cyclists will be able to enjoy riverside views from Greenwich to Rotherhithe. This stretch reminds me of the two great London diarists who lived or worked there: John Evelyn, tending to his large garden, and Samuel Pepys, reforming the entire logistics of the British Navy from the Naval Victualers Yard, still standing off Grove Street. Then South Dock, with its houseboat community, and Greenland Dock, bringing memories of the floating Wibbly Wobbly, the late Malcolm Harding’s pub and ultimately the cause of the comedian’s sad demise. My favourite part is round Rotherhithe Street, which brings the chance to up the speed a little. It’s also the first time I encounter traffic, so I try to race the bus if it’s around. The road ends with Brunel’s Pump House and St Mary’s Rotherhithe, from which the Pilgrim fathers left for America in 1620, hence the Mayflower pub nearby. Then there’s an obscure riverside monument to our present Queen, the ruins of Edward III’s palace, Butler’s Wharf and, finally, a
Above left The Queen’s House at Greenwich Above: Aidan with the statue of Horatio at the start of his journey, near the Trafalgar pub
The return journey On my return, I either take the same route or the Tour de France Stage 1 route back to Greenwich, but sadly not at that turbo-charged speed. My bike is a single gear (but not a fixie) Langster from Specialized. I bought it more than a year ago, and regret not having done so earlier. I always wear Lycra (try doing a long bike ride without the stuff) and a waterproof jacket, if necessary. I’m a confessed sucker for bike gear and certainly don’t save money by cycling in, but after the End-to-End, I still have some stock left over. I leave a suit and shoes at work, bringing the rest in a small rucksack. I’ve been cycling in London for 28 years now, and I’m so pleased to see it has really begun to take off as a viable commuting method.
ABOUT AIDAN POPE “I work for a reinsurance broker in the City. I have been cycling into town since I was at university here almost 30 years ago. I enjoy riding my road bike in the beautiful Sussex countryside. I own six bikes. The middle name of my youngest son is Lance!” THE JOURNEY Distance: 6 miles Time: 25 minutes Low point: Crossing at the northern end of Tower Bridge High point: Cruising along Rotherhithe Street
Photos: Aidan Pope, BritainOnView
I have lived by the river for 10 years now. My daily journey starts in Greenwich, and passes two flats I used to live in, so I am reminded every ride of the good times that came with them. On the End-to-End last year, I was amazed by the amount of thinking – positive thinking – you do on a bike. It clears the mind, so, even on my short trip to the City, I arrive having ordered my thoughts and set myself up for the day. I also fly lot, which is the less carbon friendly side to my life. I would like to say that I cycle to try to balance the carbon footprint, but it’s much more simple than that: I cycle into work because it’s the complete antithesis to the business life that I lead. It’s also quick; it’s faster than the excellent public transport that Greenwich enjoys: the DLR, with its friendly and committed people, and the Thames Clipper service, which is super efficient with fantastic views.
highlight of the journey: Tower Bridge. It’s such a privilege to cycle under those aweinspiring arches on my journey to work. The worst aspect of the journey is at the north end of Tower Bridge; the key is to be in front of the vehicles and manoeuvre quickly. What follows is a backstreet route past City University and onto Fenchurch Street in front of St Botolph’s Aldgate, where I verify my arrival time on the steeple clock – usually about 25 minutes for a six-mile ride. My final destination is just next door to two modernday architectural icons: Norman Foster’s Gherkin and Richard Roger’s Lloyd’s Building.
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Outward bound
At the end of a long day in the saddle ...
Roads less travelled Lynette Eyb finds a tandem is an ideal way to explore the peaceful French Ardennes tandem from Signy l’Abbaye, an eco-friendly treehouse development close to Charleville-Mézières. Its accommodation at the top of a 100-year-old oak tree, 50 feet above the ground, is accessible only by a giant footbridge, and it proved a peaceful and novel way to wind down after a day’s riding. There are cycle paths throughout the area – Signy l’Abbaye provides its guests with maps outlining local trails (some more suited to mountain bikes than to our trusty tandem), while the tourist information centre in Charleville-Mézières has information on routes linking the town itself to destinations farther afield. A new favourite is the Voie Verte, or ‘Green Path’, an 83km track tracing the River Meuse and connecting Givet in the north of the region to Charleville-Mézières. Other trails wind past vineyards, through forests and around lakes. Until word spreads about this relatively quiet corner of France, you can often have them, mile after mile, all to yourself. Main photo: Charleville-Mézières
MORE INFORMATION: Charleville-Mézières is in the north-east of France, near the Belgian border, around 270km from Calais. Return rail fares from London start at £79. This includes Eurostar to Paris and tickets on the TGV-Est from the French capital. Details: www.raileurope.co.uk or 0870 8304 862. Bikes (not dismantled) can be taken free of charge on TGVs and by reservation (0870 5850 850) on Eurostar. Tourist information: www.ardennes.com or info@ardenne.com. Ask for a copy of the English-language walking and cycling guide.
Photos: Lynette Eyb
There’s a corner of France that is seldom mentioned in the tourist guides. It’s not particularly fashionable and, until quite recently, it wasn’t particularly accessible for anyone wanting to visit on a short break from the UK. But with the opening last year of a high-speed TGV link to Paris, that’s all changing. The French Ardennes, with its picturesque cycling trails and quiet country roads, is stepping out of the shadow of neighbouring Champagne. Cyclists prepared to travel to north-eastern France will find the region an excellent prospect on two wheels. A great base is Charleville-Mézières, birthplace of the poet Arthur Rimbaud, whose life is honoured at the Musée Rimbaud in the town’s old water mill. Aside from Rimbaud – and compared to the attractions on offer amid the bubbles in Champagne next door – there at first glance appears little to do in Charleville-Mézières. But dig a little deeper and there are puppet shows to make you feel like a kid again (the city is famous in marionette circles and hosts puppet shows year-round – see www.marionnette.com), beer to enjoy (see box-out) and more than 150km of cycle trails accessible from the town centre. We’d arrived in in the middle of the International Marionnette Festival, and while we could understand little of what the (French) puppets were saying, it proved a fun sideline to our days in the saddle. Some 30% of the French Ardennes is covered by forests; in the north, near the Meuse and Semoy Valley, that figure more than doubles. We hired a
By the industrial revolution, there were some 283 breweries in 104 towns and cities of across the French Ardennes, creating a small industry of micro-breweries whose growth was halted by the onset of the First World War. When the bombs and bullets rained down on France, many breweries were destroyed, and a shortage of manpower meant few were rebuilt after the war. The Brasserie Ardwen in the tiny village of Launoissur-Vence, a 21km ride from CharlevilleMézières, is seeking to redress this and bring the region’s history back to life. Visitors can tour the brewery, try the local beer and feast at the brewery’s restaurant. See www. ardwen.fr for details. A similar set-up can be found in the nearby city of Sedan at the highly regarded microbrewery at Brasserie du Château Fort, where visitors rarely leave without several bottles tucked safely under their arms (or in their panniers).
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Dispatches
Boom time – but not for bikes Transport planners in the United Arab Emirates face an uphill battle making cycle use popular in Dubai, says Alex Crawford When one thinks of Dubai, one pictures magnificent hotels, colossal skyscrapers, scorching heat, perfectly formed artificial beaches, wealthy holidaymakers, cosmopolitan residents and perhaps a few camels. I was under no illusions that Christmas in the United Arab Emirates would involve much cycling. It wasn’t until I had spent a couple of days there and many hours in solid traffic, bumper to bumper with more 4x4s than I’ve ever encountered, though, that I realised just how little provision there is for cyclists, either tourists or residents of Dubai. As we drive across town in our own more modest automobile, my cousin, who has lived in Dubai for three years, points out how much the cityscape has changed even in her time here. Since the creation of the modern emirate of Dubai in 1971, the city has been on construction overdrive and much talk is made, by taxi drivers and businessmen alike, of the developments. Nearly everyone we meet is eager to point out the newest, biggest and most expensive buildings that have either just been finished or are going up, and this generates an almost palpable sense of excitement. As a result of this construction boom, there seems no shortage of work. However as impressive as Dubai might be, I can’t help wondering where all the bikes are. Three days in to my stay I was yet to see a single bicycle or any signs of cycling facilities, despite sitting in traffic congestion hour after hour. Yet according to various studies and the local media, some people do appear to cycle Dubai. Playing guessing games There are no official statistics on the exact number of bicycles in Dubai, but some officials estimate a figure of 100,000 bicycles, 80% of which are used for transport by low income earners and the rest for recreation among higher flyers. This seems a much higher number than my initial guestimate, but then it’s difficult to gauge any sense of reality from behind the wheel of a car.
What I found was that getting from A to B in Dubai seems to require a lengthy journey along busy, dusty, congested multiplelane highways. The driving can be hairy and accidents are common. Then there is the climate. Dubai can be almost unbearably hot and humid in the summer, so it’s understandable that most people do what they can to avoid this. People are not inclined to walk or cycle, but rather choose to drive or, as is the case for many construction workers and hotel staff, enjoy being ferried to and from work in company buses. Changing times There are plans afoot, however, to increase the numbers of cyclists. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has carried out a study on the use of the bicycle as a means of transport and recreation in the Emirate, and has recognised the potential of bicycles in solving traffic congestion, air pollution and health problems. Furthermore, Velo Mondial, a group which provides opportunities for cities to improve their support for cycling planning, is creating a cycling master plan for Dubai that will be implemented in stages. The master plan, the first of its kind in the Gulf region, will focus on the design of routes, bike lanes, shelters, parking facilities and also generate a set of rules to govern the use of bicycles in the city.
Camels are still This should all simplify and boost more common than the use of bicycles as a mode of bicycles in Dubai transport for affluent and lowincome workers alike. It is hoped that bicycles will one day become a recognised mode of transport. Places of worship and property developments, including shopping malls and business centres, will all be required to provide one bicycle parking facility for every 25 car parking spaces. This all sounds promising, and is clearly a step in the right direction. For the health of the city and those who live in it, I sincerely hope the plans will bring about true change. The UAE’s ability to develop is proven, but for a country that hosts so many sporting events – including a Cycling Race of Champions in Abu Dhabi – it has a lot to do if it is to make it cycle-friendly. In the meantime, it is possible to take cycle tours around mountainous Hatta, just an hour’s drive from Dubai. Various companies offer routes through dry stream beds (wadis), small villages and farms. Cyclists may also choose their own routes. The picturesque Hatta Fort Hotel even provides the cyclist with a backpack filled with maps, water and other essentials for a day’s outing. I didn’t see many bike shops but I am told that there are a few, the most popular being the one owned by Wolfgang Hohmann, a German cycle retailer who opened a Dubai outpost in 2002.
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Interview
My bike & I Tony Doyle MBE The former World Champion chats to LC about his first bike, the development of commuter cycling and his idea of the perfect day on two wheels Do you remember your very first time on a bike? The first time was a three-wheeler riding in the garden at home with my brothers and sisters. I must have only been about four years old. What about your first bike? I was 12. My first adult bike was a hand-me-down Royal Enfield from my uncle. How many bikes do you own now? I own five bikes that I use and my favourite is my new Pinnacle 2008 road bike. What’s the best thing about being a cyclist? For me, it’s the fresh air and freedom. When you’re commuting or cycling for leisure, do you think you’re a good cyclist? Over the years I’ve become very aware of other road users and this certainly helps with safety. I like to let people know how important it is to be seen on the bike. What’s your idea of a perfect day on two wheels? I love Richmond park – it’s very green and beautiful and I’ve had many happy rides there with friends. It’s great for relaxing, as well as for a bit of training. What’s your pet hate when it comes to cycling? Traffic not giving enough room to cyclists and cyclists not being visible enough when there are great safety accessories on the market, including clothing and lighting accessories, that would significantly enhance their safety. Where do you enjoy riding the most? My favourite rides include Etape Caledonia and the Isle of Wight; both are scenic and can be challenging. The Tour de France Prologue was a huge success in London last year. What long-term knock-on effects do you think this will have? People are now much more interested in cycling. For many Londoners and Britons in general, it was the first time they had seen road cycling at this level. Since the Tour de France last year, more people than ever before are trying cycling – it’s fantastic. How important is commuter cycling to the future of cycling in the UK? Commuter cycling is one easy and simple way for people to get involved in cycling. What must be done to encourage more people to ride either socially or competitively? The health benefits needs to be promoted, particularly in light of the recent government statistics on obesity. Cycling is healthy, it’s environmentally friendly and, most of all, it’s fun – all these benefits need to be promoted. You’ve done much to promote safer cycling. What needs to be done to ensure the roads are safe for cyclists, thus encouraging more people to ride? More cycle lanes must be made available. Cyclists need to realise that wearing helmets and reflective clothing are a must and they should think about additional lighting for their bikes. Front and rear lighting isn’t enough – they must have lighting that enables them to be seen from the side, which is a major blind spot for motorists. There are products on the market that solve this problem, such as battery-free lights. It’s easier than ever before to be safe on the roads.
“Commuter cycling is one easy and simple way for people to get involved in cycling” If you could do one more thing on or associated with two wheels, what would it be and why? Bring back six-day track racing to London – it was a huge part of my life as a professional cyclist. It’s bright, energetic and entertaining.
ABOUT TONY DOYLE Tony Doyle was twice World Pursuit Champion, four times European Track Championship winner and is the UK’s most successful six-day rider ever. He is a former event director of the Tour of Britain, which he helped found, and a former president of British Cycling. He was awarded an MBE in 1989. In 2009 he will head up Newham’s first cycling festival. He is an ambassador for Pedalite International, which produces battery-free pedal lights for bikes (www.pedalite.com)
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