London Cyclist Spring 2024

SPECIAL ISSUE

WOMEN & CYCLING

WHAT WE WANT FROM THE MAYOR

CYCLING CHANGEMAKERS

CELEBRATING JOYOUS TRAVEL

HEALTH & WELLBEING BENEFITS

LONDON TO AMSTERDAM SUFFRAGETTES’ RIDE GUIDE

WOMEN’S

We

to talk to, and listen to, everyone’s

TOM

EDITORIAL

Why cycling equals freedom

Photographer:

Calvin Cheung

Location:

Freedom Ride, Central London, March 2024

LONDON CYCLIST

Unit 206, The Record Hall, 16-16A Baldwin’s Gardens, London EC1N 7RJ n 020 7234 9310 n lcc.org.uk

EDITORIAL

IHELLO AND WELCOME to a very special issue of London Cyclist. One that’s entirely dedicated to women and cycling, and one in which very close to all the content has been written by female contributors. So a big thanks to Eilidh, Izzy, Clare, members of the Women’s Network, supporters and advertisers alike, for helping me and designer Anita pull it all together.

We actually had this edition in the works from early 2023, but the responses to last summer’s LCC survey, taken from 1,000+ women cyclists (see page 14), emphasised just how much more work is needed to create better, fairer gender equality within cycling — and why we needed to get louder. So in a packed magazine ahead you’ll find: features on how the Women’s Network will be pushing the Mayor for more urgent action on safety and local cycle networks; inspiring stories from a few of London’s ‘changemakers’; a look at the health and wellbeing benefits of cycling specific to women; a report from the annual London to Amsterdam ride; bike-fitting advice; and reviews of women’s bikes and accessories.

We’ve also got a ‘ride of two halves’, guiding you from Westminster to the East End, which visits more than a dozen key locations and landmarks relating to the suffragette movement. (And how nice to see TfL recently renaming one of the six Overground lines in celebration of the same rich history?).

Happy cycling!

John Kitchiner Editor

LCC MEMBERS’ LEGAL HELPLINE

Osbornes Law is the official legal partner of LCC, providing members with exclusive access to a legal helpline. If you’re involved in a collision or have a cycling-related legal issue, phone the cycling team at Osbornes for advice on 020 7681 8672.

Editor: John Kitchiner (london.cyclist@lcc.org.uk)

Design: Anita Razak

Contributors: Eilidh Murray, Izzy Romilly, Melanie Etherton, Mariam Draaijer, Iman Saadoune, Finella Craig, Kerena Fussell, Tom Fyans, Simon Munk

ADVERTISING

Allie Gill (allie.gill@lcc.org.uk)

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CAMDEN MOVES FORWARD ON ‘LONDON BOULEVARD’ PLAN

Good news as council announces consultations on key projects

CAMDEN COUNCIL HAS announced it is moving forward on two major cycle schemes in Holborn and Clerkenwell, along what LCC calls the ‘London Boulevard’. Part of a long-time campaign, the Boulevard is the cycle corridor between Old Street and the Hackney border in the east, and Oxford Street in the west.

The run of roads from Old Street, Clerkenwell Road, Theobald’s Road, Vernon Place to New Oxford Street has some of the highest cycle flows on any streets outside of London’s protected cycle tracks and Cycleways — upwards of 5,000 per day in a few places. Yet these roads also feature a number of highly dangerous junctions for cycling in London, with horrific collision tolls and very little safe infrastructure. But now, Camden Council has announced major new consultations for its stretches of the corridor, including the possibility of removing the dangerous and hated Holborn one-way system.

Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood

Due to the pandemic, Camden’s funding to make Holborn a ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ was paused. But now it looks like it’s back on, with the council currently undertaking surveys for ideas on how to move ahead. Its own ideas’ list is promising too — including a ‘healthy hospital street’ on Great Ormond Street, restricting motor traffic outside the British Museum, making New Oxford Street cycle and pedestrian only, and putting cycle tracks on Theobald’s Road.

n holbornln.commonplace.is

Changes at Clerkenwell Road too Camden is also consulting on proposals for Clerkenwell Road — only open until 11 March. They’re proposing separate cycle signals and tracks along stretches of Clerkenwell Road. Please support these proposals today.

n consultations.wearecamden.org/supportingcommunities/clerkenwell

Photo: Camden Cyclists

Of women would start to cycle, or cycle more, if infrastructure was better in their area.

90% 1 in 5

Women have stopped cycling for a period of time (or totally) due to abuse they got on the road.

HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE NOW REOPENED FOR CYCLING

CONTRACTORS WORKING on Hammersmith

Bridge have reopened the crossing to cycling as ongoing repair works continue. The bridge was closed in 2019 due to structural issues, but cycling and walking were initially allowed until repair works started. However, since February 2022 cyclists have had to wheel bikes across, which is obviously difficult for many people.

The good news is that the bridge reopened for cycling on 13 February. The bad news is it’s only currently set to be open for cycling until midApril. LCC and local borough groups are pushing contractors, and Hammersmith & Fulham council, to permit cycling going forward. In fact LCC believes that in the long term the bridge should be kept closed to motor traffic to cut the huge cost of renovations and because car use in the area has already dropped dramatically.

SCOTTISH BRAND STILL LEADS ON EQUALITY

As we celebrate all things women and cycling in this edition of London Cyclist, we wanted to namecheck a company that’s made gender equality a guiding principle from the start. For just over 30 years, Endura has been at the forefront of cycle clothing development, from high performance road and mtb kits to leisure wear, and continues to sponsor professional teams. But the fact it made sure to offer proper women-specific products from the off speaks of leadership — where they started, many more followed. n endurasport.com

SAVE THE DATE! JOIN US IN APRIL FOR THE BIG ‘LONDON LOVES CYCLING’ RIDE

RIDE WITH LCC on the weekend of 27/28 April to show our prospective mayoral candidates how much London loves cycling. Read our feature (page 20) on the rationale for our change of approach for the 2024 election campaign and how to get more involved.

We’re calling the campaign ‘London Loves Cycling’ and rather than getting deep into complex ‘asks’ of the Mayor or political lobbying, given the culture wars raging around cycling, we just want to celebrate what Londoners already love — a massively popular mode of transport, with about half of London either already cycling or wanting to. There’ll be loads of opportunities to get involved, but for the final days of the election trail, we want to all get together and ride.

We want to celebrate London and cycling, and share that love with each other, and with the candidates to be our next Mayor. Further detail on exact day/timings to follow, but for now just save that date. n lcc.org.uk/LondonLovesCycling

Ride for freedom

After a successful first year, LCC’s Women’s Network is planning more rides and activity, as Eilidh Murray explains

LET ME tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel — Susan B Anthony, 1896.

In January 2022, LCC’s Westminster group organised a Winter Wonder Ride for women which attracted nearly 200 riders. It ended in Parliament Square at the statue of suffragette Millicent Fawcett, with her banner ‘Courage calls to courage everywhere’. People asked about the next ride and gradually the idea of having a more formal group to promote women cycling took hold.

As part of my personal ‘manifesto’ when I stood for reelection as a trustee in October 2022, I stated that I wanted to see more women on bikes. After conversations with the LCC team — and with the support of several influential campaigners and groups such as JoyRiders and Londra Bisiklet Külübü — we set up the LCC Women’s Network to organise another ride, the Women’s Freedom Ride, in March 2023, to celebrate International Women’s Day.

While women make up 51% of London’s population, they only represent a third of cycling journeys, and we wanted to see

how many women would come on this second ride. We were totally overwhelmed by the response.

Despite being the coldest day of winter, the huge crowd at the 2023 ride made a big impression on the Mayor’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman. “Women make the best campaigners,” he told us. And we’re hoping the March 2024 Freedom Ride (which happens just after this edition goes to press) will have had an even better turnout.

What the survey shows

Following the 2023 event, we sent out a survey, asking participants about what stopped women from cycling in London. Once the results were collated, what we found was shocking (see page 14). For example, nine out of 10 women said they had experienced verbal abuse and aggression while cycling. The report was launched in January 2024, with a panel of female politicians and cycling influencers discussing how our political leaders

“Women make up 51% of the population, but only represent a third of cycling journeys”

can do more and better for women on bicycles.

We will use the report’s findings to equip activists across London to call on their councils to remove the barriers to women cycling, as well as continuing our pressure on the Mayor, Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police. We want a top-down and bottom-up approach with conversations, behaviour change strategies and awareness of the barriers women face shared locally and at a Londonwide level.

Our demands for safer cycling fall into three categories: physical safety, social safety and local cycle networks. Already more than 3,500 people have signed our petition calling on the Mayor to commit to all three in order to make cycling a mode of transport used equally by women and men in London by 2030. Making our cycle routes safe, joined up and protected will enable thousands of women to have the choice of cycling to work, to school, to do local errands and to have fun on their bikes.

Work in 2024 continues with webinars, meetings and ongoing support for our activists. And we want to invite the many different groups of women who want to cycle in London to join us in our call for the freedom to ride.

Eilidh Murray is chair of LCC’s Board of Trustees and a member of Cycle Islington

For the love of cycling

Ahead of the mayoral election Tom Fyans suggests we focus on the positive ways cycling can transform lives

FEAR AND JOY were the two words ringing in my ears as I cycled home on a freezing night in January, after the launch of our new ‘What stops women cycling in London?’ report. Contributions from two women in particular had really struck a chord. One had said “we need to choose freedom over fear”, and the other had asked “where’s the joy, we need to bring that too!”

The report makes for uncomfortable and upsetting reading, telling horrific stories of women suffering misogynistic abuse and aggression while cycling. This is a direct attack on women’s mobility, quality of life and freedom to ride, and I’m proud that LCC, along with our partners in the Women’s Network, will be at the forefront of campaigning for gender equality in cycling across London. We have a long way to go to catch up with many Dutch, German and Danish cities where women cycle as often as men, but working together I know we will make a real difference.

One of the most exciting things about my first six months at LCC has been realising how much of London’s cycling potential remains untapped. According to TfL, 22% of non-cyclists are actively considering taking it up, and

many of those are from underrepresented groups including women, ethnic minorities, people on low incomes, older people and Disabled people.

We want a city where everyone in London who wants to cycle can. But we know some people face particular barriers to cycling, as we’ve seen with the women’s survey. We will work harder to understand these and involve people from those communities in our campaigning work. We need to talk to, and listen to, everyone’s experiences of cycling in London.

We also know that road danger remains the most commonly cited barrier to cycling across all demographic groups, which is why campaigning for safer streets remains our guiding principle.

So where’s the joy?

If we are to broaden the appeal of cycling and reach new audiences, we need to celebrate the joy it brings every day too. So, as we approach spring and start

“We need to talk to, and listen to, everyone’s experiences of cycling in London”

Tom Fyans Chief Executive of the London Cycling Campaign

dreaming of warmer, sunnier days, I’ll be joining hundreds of women and allies at the Women’s Freedom Ride in early March. Around a month later we will be launching our ‘London Loves Cycling’ campaign, where we will be asking all candidates in the mayoral election to show their love for cycling by providing the funding necessary to make cycling safer and more connected across the whole of the city.

The campaign will tell the story of the unstoppable rise of cycling in London, told through the voices of the Londoners who love it. We will remind people of the progress London has made on cycling, where 1.26 million journeys are now cycled daily according to TfL, and of LCC’s role in that success. We will show how much people value and ‘love’ cycling and the positive, transformative difference it makes to their lives. And, most of all, we will simply celebrate the sheer joy that cycling can bring to anyone and everyone. We’ve also got some exciting plans later in the summer, so watch this space!

Cycling in London will inevitably include stories of both fear and joy — and we will continue to tell them both as we campaign to reduce the fear, while sharing the joy.

Lessons for life

There’s nothing better than helping people learn to cycle, says Mariam Draaijer — and it’s easy to get involved

ITRAINED AS A National Standard cycling instructor in summer 2018. It was a hot week and the course days were long. And by the end of it, once I’d completed my ‘onboarding’ with the London provider I worked for on a freelance basis, I was thrown into the world of cycle instruction myself.

My first job was in a school, covering for a fellow instructor who couldn’t make that day. It was overwhelming. Just getting there was a challenge as it was pouring down, but eventually the rain stopped and the lesson started. However, the other instructor I was assigned to work with was clearly not impressed, and neither was I; the reality was a long way from what I’d imagined.

However I stuck to it, I got better and started to enjoy the work I did. I didn’t just work with children in schools, as the main reason I trained as an instructor in the first place was to help women to cycle. It turned out that I enjoyed my one-to-one sessions with local women much more than the work in schools, and quite quickly I had more demands than time to fulfil them.

Cycling instructors are a small but mighty workforce within London’s cycling community, not just teaching Bikeability in

schools, but also helping adults to become confident on their bikes. This includes ‘learn to ride’ sessions and also helping people to navigate London’s roads and discover the cycling infrastructure network we already have.

Making people happy

Being a cycling instructor is a wonderful job, it’s a profession where you make people happy and help them to make positive changes to their lives. It also comes with a lot of responsibility, such as taking out children who you have just met on a cycle skills assessment on the roads. There are often eight to 10 children with two instructors.

In fact something which I wasn’t aware of when I set out on my teaching journey were the poor working conditions for many instructors. For example, for every one-to-one session you do with London’s biggest provider, it often results in up to an hour’s extra unpaid admin work. And when

are expected to find training sites, write up risk assessments and do general admin tasks with minimal extra pay, which doesn’t cover the time it takes to do this all in a responsible way. Plus if a booking gets cancelled we often don’t get any pay at all, unless it’s extremely short notice — this can mean a quarter of monthly earnings being wiped out in one go. It’s also worth noting, especially during a cost of living crisis, that many haven’t received a payrise in over 10 years (except for a small 90p per hour increase, which didn’t cover inflation).

Luckily there are some positives. Boroughs such as Islington and Camden, providers like JoyRiders and employers like LCC, pay a much higher hourly rate, pay admin time and have a fair cancellation policy.

However, this is far from being standard in the industry. A recent tender in London’s richest borough chose a provider with a low instructor pay rate which was a major blow to the workforce.

”The reason I trained as an instructor in the first place was to help women to cycle”

Instructors unionised in late 2019, having joined the IWGB (Independent Workers of Great Britain) and formed the CIB (Cycling Instructors Branch). If you want to support your instructors, or become one yourself, please do get in touch.

n bikeability.org.uk

Mariam Draaijer is CEO of JoyRiders Britain and a parttime cycle instructor

WE WANT FREEDOM TO RIDE

With the results of LCC’s survey of London’s women cyclists now in, Izzy Romilly explores the implications and next steps

IN MARCH 2023, LCC and its newly-formed Women’s Network hosted a ride that saw more than 1,000 people turn up on a freezing cold day to cycle through central London. The ride was to mark International Women’s Day, and a call for action to make cycling a real choice for women travelling around the capital. And we were amazed (and heartened) at the response.

We had expected around 300 people, but nearly four times that number signed up, both women and allies who wanted to show their support for gender equality in cycling. The ride ballooned beyond

our expectations, and we were thrilled to see it become a reality.

The issue of women and cycling had hit a nerve. There are many organisations, from community groups to charities and businesses, already doing brilliant work on this topic, from LCC’s existing partners like JoyRiders and LBK to Cycle Sisters, Lime and others. There has been an increasing interest in women’s safety (including, for example, the Mayor’s ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’ strategy which was released in 2022) and more dialogue around the idea of ‘transport justice’, or subtle

ways that inequity plays out

in transport planning and services. So we weren’t starting anything from scratch, just aiming to provide an additional platform for women to come together, celebrate the joy of cycling, and campaign to be able to do more of it in London.

While only a third of London’s cycle trips are taken by women, we have no doubt that the untapped appetite among women to be able to get around London safely, cheaply and conveniently is huge. To build on the momentum

generated by our Freedom Ride, we wanted to talk to the women who signed up. Why had they signed up? What mattered to them? What did they need to see change to give them the confidence to get on their bike? We sent out a survey in early summer 2023 aiming to answer just these questions.

Our survey received more than 1,100 responses and it was, as you might expect, skewed towards women who already cycle in London, with three in four saying they cycle once a week. More than half also told us they were drivers too. 84% were from white backgrounds, with 16% from

non-white and mixed heritage backgrounds. 15% told us they lived with a disability or a chronic health issue. For more information about who answered our survey and how we analysed the results, go to lcc.org.uk/freedom.

What stops women cycling in London?

We wanted to understand why less than a third of London’s daily cycle trips are taken by women, in contrast to Dutch cities, where women make up more than half of cycle trips. We were shocked — and yet not surprised — by the feedback, which set out with brutal

clarity some of the key factors that put women off cycling in London. That included an appalling level of abuse and aggression from other road users, a lack of safe, well-lit cycle routes to use all year round, and local neighbourhoods that are not built to meet the needs of women and many others who want to pedal their everyday trips.

Our survey was followed by a short report that we published in January, accompanied by a launch event and a webinar to relay findings back to the many women who contributed. One theme that really struck us, as we read through numerous stories that women

Photos: Calvin Cheung, Izzy Romilly

WEFREEDOM WANT TO RIDE

Physical safety

that

shared, was the sentiment ‘get off the road’ or ‘get out of my way’, expressed to women on their bikes either verbally or by drivers acting in a deliberately intimidating way.

cycling in ‘primary position’, in the middle lane. A passenger got out of his car and towards me shouting at me to get off the

We don’t think this theme will be surprising to anyone who cycles in London, particularly when ‘taking the lane’ on roads with no separate infrastructure. But the sheer frequency of it still shocked us, as did the consequences. One fifth of respondents said they had stopped cycling, either permanently or for a period of time, as a result. So much progress has been made, but it reminded us how much further we have to go before women are genuinely free to cycle without fear of abuse, aggression or collision.

In early 2023, we researched the topic of gender inequalities in cycle trips, and in transport patterns in general —and we identified three key findings.

Firstly, we found that women are more affected by the fear of road danger. Secondly, we found some suggestions women are even more likely to be subject to abuse and intimidation. Lastly, we found that women’s trips are generally shorter and more complex than men’s. For example, women are more likely to take local trips, more likely to be using multiple modes of transport in one journey, and more likely to be travelling with children. All of this has implications for the services and infrastructure that would best serve women.

Our findings helped us define three asks of the Mayor and all of London’s borough councils — the three major things that we think need to be done to make London

88% said they either prefer, or rely on, good quality cycle infrastructure to cycle in London.

accessible to women who want to cycle. Part of the purpose of our survey was to put these three asks in front of women and see if they agreed with them? Were we missing anything? Overwhelmingly, women validated our asks, and they have become the basis of our campaigning.

THE CAMPAIGN ASKS

ASK 1: ACT ON PHYSICAL SAFETY. Transport for London and borough councils to deliver cycling infrastructure across London that is physically safe and of the highest quality, to give women the confidence to cycle, including with children, without fear of collision with motor vehicles.

Our ask on physical safety was by far the most popular among those who responded to our survey, and

9 out of 10

of women surveyed would start to cycle, or cycle more, if infrastructure was better in their area.

71% said ‘physical safety’ for women cycling was our most – or one of our three most – vital asks of the Mayor.

25% said they only cycle in London because they have good infrastructure for their journeys.

this is an insight we can all integrate into our campaigning.

90% said they would start to cycle, or cycle more, if infrastructure was better for their journeys; while 85% told us they either prefer cycling on protected cycle lanes or low-traffic routes, or will not cycle without them. How much more strongly might these feelings be among Londoners who might be interested in getting around by bike, but have never cycled before or don’t have the confidence to mix with traffic?

The picture seems clearer than ever. Safer infrastructure helps address the number one concern that stops women cycling. Without taking away the very real fear of conflict with people in motor vehicles, cycling will remain a

distant and daunting prospect for the majority. We want to see TfL and every borough council rework their roads, and ensure all proposed cycle schemes are reviewed by experts on women’s cycling design.

ASK 2: ACT ON SOCIAL SAFETY.

The Mayor of London to deliver, measure and report on faster, verifiable actions to radically improve social safety for women cycling in London, working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, TfL and the boroughs.

Our ask on ‘social safety’ — that is, freedom from intimidation and harassment — was the second most popular among respondents, and they told us about a wide range of experiences coming under the umbrella of abuse, intimidation or harassment. Misogynistic verbal abuse was the most common theme here. In 2023, women are still experiencing a heavy toll of abuse when they travel around the city; the use of gendered slurs (such as ‘bitch’ or ‘slut’) towards women getting around by bike was shockingly common.

into women waiting on their bikes at bike boxes.

inOnethree women stop cycling after dark due to lack of safe routes

Another frightening theme was aggressive driving: the deliberate use of vehicles to harass or intimidate women on their bikes. This included incidents like ‘punishment passing’ (when a driver overtakes too close, perhaps in retaliation for a cyclist ‘taking the lane’ or overtaking); and even, horrifyingly, deliberately driving

Many women told us about the toll that aggressive driving takes on them, with more than one in five saying they have given up cycling, either permanently or for a period of time, as a result. A smaller number told us about other verbal abuse or harassment that they have received. This ranged from sexual harassment to comments about their bodies, clothing, race, religious dress, age or even their actions as a parent. This highlights the need for us to address a wide range of issues that affect different groups of women, from racism and ageism, to body shaming and judgments about women choosing to cycle with their children.

Another issue that comes under the ‘social safety’ umbrella is the impact of inadequate cycle routes

on women’s travel patterns and choices. With many so-called cycle routes in London taking riders through unlit and/or isolated areas (like parks, towpaths and industrial estates) women told us that they face difficult choices after dark. Should they take an unlit, isolated route where they feel at risk, or face mixing with traffic on busy roads?

One in three said they don’t cycle after dark or in the winter for this reason. This is an unacceptable restraint on women’s freedom.

ASK 3: THINK BEYOND THE COMMUTE. Borough councils and TfL to appropriately prioritise local cycle networks, such as low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and safe routes to amenities and schools, as they do commuter cycle corridors into central London.

Our last ask is perhaps the hardest to explain, and needs some context. Amazing progress has been made in many parts of London in terms of building major cycleways into central London. However, these are primarily commuter routes — which are more likely to be used by men.

Some boroughs have made great

strides on improving their local neighbourhood provision too, but unfortunately this is becoming a postcode lottery in London. Huge numbers of people are still living in areas that are hostile for people walking and cycling, and this hugely affects women — who are much more likely to be taking local trips, including the school run if they have children.

For a city where people are genuinely free to choose to cycle, they need an environment where cycling isn’t just safe, but a convenient and accessible alternative to private cars. A huge 45% of our survey respondents said they would switch to cycling for more local trips if they had safe cycle routes. For many of those, that would include a switch away from cars.

As well as low-traffic routes, this includes thinking about local areas and amenities in a joined-up way. It means ensuring safe and secure cycle storage for people at home, and at major local destinations like stations, shopping streets, leisure centres, schools,

the behaviour of male cyclists, particularly when overtaking close and at speed.

How can you help?

71% of survey respondents said ‘physical safety’ was our most vital ask of the Mayor

surgeries and more. We want London’s boroughs to take this ask seriously, and make rapid progress on low-traffic routes, cycle hangars and parking, and wayfinding.

Beyond our asks

Women told us about many other concerns that we hadn’t included in our three asks. One of the most commonly mentioned was the dilemma presented by having no showers, changing facilities or secure bike storage at work. Many told us that they felt pressure to present in a professional manner at the office, and that without proper facilities, cycling to work wasn’t something they felt able to do.

There were also a number of comments about police inaction, with the majority of women who mentioned the police expressing distrust or disappointment in their lack of action after incidents on the road or bike theft. There were also a number of comments about

We’re only just starting out, and we’re looking forward to seeing how the LCC Women’s Network develops in the coming years, as we hope to collaborate and partner with more organisations, evolve our asks in response to greater evidence and feedback from the community, and get ever louder about what we want to see change on our streets.

How you can support the Women’s Network

n If you work with a local group, you can read our report (lcc.org. uk/freedom) and use our findings in campaigning and conversations with other groups in your area and your local council.

n If you’re a woman or non-binary person, you can join the network via the website. We have working groups, network meetings, and we’re planning more webinars.

n If you’re a cycle group that represents women, you can speak to us about how we could work together in the future.

n And if you can think of any other ways to support or collaborate with the Women’s Network, we want to hear about it. Please get in touch with us via the website, or email women@lcc.org.uk.

LONDON LOVES CYCLING

We’re only months away from London electing a new Mayor. So what’s LCC doing about it?

Simon Munk reports

LONDON ELECTS its Mayor in May. But the contest has been dogged by culture war controversy from the outset, with Sadiq Khan seeking a historic third term, facing off to an unusual and, in some cases, worrying panoply of rivals. And cycling has been put in the middle as one of a series of political footballs aimed at fomenting, fuelling even, a divide across the city. So, what do we want you to do about it?

Mainly, if you only do one thing, we want you to visit lcc.org.uk/ LondonLovesCycling, read up on the campaign and take the action when it launches in early April. And tell your friends. And have some fun with us. That’s it. Spread the love. So here’s what the whole London Loves Cycling campaign is all about…

Punch drunk love

In the red corner we have the aforementioned and incumbent Mayor, only now facing a ‘first past the post’ voting system and a lot of outer London ULEZ anger. In the blue corner is Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate, who has threatened to scrap the ULEZ expansion on the first day in office, and has further expressed desires to “get rid” of cycle lanes, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and 20mph speed limits.

On the sidelines so far, we have Howard Cox, the Reform Party candidate and Fair Fuel UK founder, who also hates LTNs, 20mph and once more the ULEZ (despite living in Kent). Plus the Liberal Democrats’ Rob Blackie, the Green Party’s Zoe Garbett, and even possibly Jeremy Corbyn.

Perhaps it’s unfair on this mayoral election to portray

it as a boxing match between two sluggers. But sadly, that is what it looks like it will most likely become. Crime, housing, transport, climate and the kitchen sink will be thrown back and forth between Conservatives keen to not only land a blow or two on the current Mayor, but also tee up national attacks on the broader Labour Party ahead of the General

THE RUNNERS & RIDERS

A host of candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring for Mayor and more may yet still (with Jeremy Corbyn implying he's considering it). But the main contenders are (in descending order of current polling)…

Election; and Labour, who are keen to avoid the chaos that followed the Uxbridge by-election result being interpreted as an outer London rejection of ‘anti-car’ ULEZ expansion, and for Sadiq not to get handed a black eye.

London really does love cycling

As a result, once more, LCC has

Sadiq Khan, Labour

On ULEZ: Has expanded it. Supportive generally.

On cycling: Tripled, then quintupled, cycle tracks on main roads, responsible for enabling TfL to rollout LTN funding, and for Mayor's Transport Strategy that commits to safer streets, and to boost walking, cycling and public transport mode share, as well as Net Zero target to reduce road km driven.

Other info: current Mayor, hoping to be first London Mayor to get a third term.

been wracking its brains as to how to best ensure good outcomes for cycling from the next Mayor — regardless of their political hue. And like with the previous Shaun Bailey v Khan grudge match, it’s been difficult to understand how to lever change and commitment out of the main candidates when one wants to rip everything out and the other wants to do some good things. So this time we’re not going to bother with any of that.

Has LCC gone mad? Hopefully not. But during the run-up to the mayoral election, we realised something that has sent our entire election campaign in a different, and hopefully far better and certainly more fun direction. We realised: London loves cycling. Not just in a 'it’s a nice thing to do when the sun is shining' kind of way, but in a 1.26 million journey stages that are being cycled daily in London way. For reference, these equate to a third of all tube stages now.

Cycling's ‘mode share’ of all journeys done in London is currently 4.5%, a massive increase.

Susan Hall, Conservative

On ULEZ: Committed to "scrap the ULEZ expansion on day one" (though technically impossible).

On cycling: Has said on social media she is "fed up" with cyclists' "dangerous" behaviour, that she'd "remove" LTNs that "clog up our roads and worsen air pollution" and that the "wretched expansion of cycling lanes" was "causing massive congestion".

Other info: London Assembly member since 2017, Harrow councillor since 2006.

Photo: Andy Donohoe

Cycling is an utterly mainstream mode of transport across the city. Over a quarter of all Londoners cycle (as in, have been cycling in the last year), and more than 20% of non-cyclists in London want to take up cycling. In other words, the pool of people embracing cycling is basically half of all residents.

We cycle in all weathers, at all times of years. We’re out there proving that the cycle tracks on the Embankment aren’t empty while the adjacent road often is. We’re out there proving that cycling in the snow does happen in London, but more frequently in rain and wind. And we’re grinning while we ride.

The discussion about how evil cycling is, or how we should or shouldn’t do cycle tracks is really over. You’d have to be a bit weird as a politician to suggest to Londoners — who absolutely love cycling — that cycling is a terrible idea and we shouldn’t be helping more Londoners get on bikes. So instead of stepping into a bunfight over London, we’re sidestepping the

entire culture war and we’re going to focus on peace and love instead. And we want you to join us.

Let’s celebrate our collective, London-wide love of cycling, and raise a cheer to politicians who help our kids, partners, parents, friends join us. On Lime bikes and Halfords shoppers, on secondhand rust-buckets and high-end sports bikes, on handcycles and electric cargobikes, London is building it and we’re coming.

Norf, sarf, east, west

To launch the London Loves Cycling campaign we’ve commissioned an amazing creative

team to produce a filmic love letter to London and cycling. The aim is to show the world — and the candidates to be Mayor — how London and cycling go together like Astaire and Rogers, like Brick Lane and beigels, like Peckham and car park pop-ups.

Then we’re asking each and every one of you, your friends, your families, all of London not to get angry about taxi drivers cutting us up, or culture war politicians threatening to rip out safe cycling schemes, or about being beeped on a ratrun. Breathe deep, and send the next Mayor of London your love letter: your take on why you like

Zoë Garbett, Green

On ULEZ: Welcomed expansion "without delay", but implied going further might be good, highlighting issue of "large SUVs" that can still be ULEZ compliant, and wanted "more generous" support package. On cycling: Wants to turn Silvertown tunnel into one for "public transport, walking and cycling" not cars; supportive of cycle lane expansion and LTNs.

Other info: NHS worker and first Green councillor in Dalston.

Rob Blackie, Lib Dems

On ULEZ: called for expansion to be delayed, says he'd make it "fairer".

On cycling: Wants "Sutton’s successful Smarter Travel plan, which increased cycling by 75% and cut driving by 6%" rolled out to other boroughs; wants free hire bikes on Sundays; is a "keen cyclist". Other info: digital marketeer and former Namibian Ministry of Environment & Tourism officer, and professional antifake news campaigner.

Howard Cox, Reform

On ULEZ: Committed to scrap as part of a plan to get "London Moving Again". And plans to also "ditch LTNs and 20mph zones". On cycling: Claims new Highway Code revisions "must have been authored by an asylum inmate" and are a "cyclists’ charter to ride any way they wish" and will scrap "excessively wide cycle lanes". Other info: Cox is founder of FairFuel UK, which campaigns to freeze fuel duty; co-owner of a fuel catalyst company.

Photos: london.gov.uk; candidate parties

cycling in London and what you hope will happen next.

We want you to share our film, to take the action, and also to send us your photos, your support, your voices raised via our action and social media, to tell the mayoral candidates, and each other, that London Loves Cycling. That cycling isn’t evil, or horrible — it’s actually joyous.

And if you only have time to do one thing, take our action online. If you do two things, share our film on social media. If you do three, send us a photo of you out on a bike having fun. And if you do four things for LCC you’re a superstar: go out on another bike ride and grin and ting your bell and tell the world how great cycling is.

Of course, this being LCC, we’re always doing more, pushing further. So we’re also planning some secret and exciting things we’re hoping our local groups and people across London join in on. Excuses to get out and grin while

cycling. Check the website for details once confirmed.

Barrels of fun

As you can see, this year we’re keeping it really simple to go with our central message: roll out the cycling barrel, get moving, we can’t wait. And we want to reassure you, our members, that underneath all the fun, the joy, the explosion of silliness this mayoral campaign unleashes, the hard work is going on too.

Fresh from the Women’s Network report and findings, we’re planning campaigning work around those asks, to make London a far better place for women to cycle (see page 14). We’re working with our borough groups (and via the Healthy Streets Scorecard coalition) to push borough leaders, regardless of Mayor, to deliver more, bolder, better, faster. And we’re working on improving and refreshing our Dangerous Junctions map and campaign to get more junctions

THE CAMPAIGN ASKS

Of course, when you send a love letter to the next mayoral candidates, you're also sending them a set of three demands we're keen they pay attention to. This is what we're asking the candidates to be the next Mayor of London to commit to:

1. MAKE CYCLING SAFE FOR EVERYONE: we're asking the Mayor to bring forward his 'Vision Zero' target of no more fatal or serious collisions on London's Roads from 2041 to 2030. To do that, they'll need to provide funding to focus on road danger reduction, with proper investigations from the Met police and a focus on fixing the worst junctions

2. CYCLE ROUTES FOR ALL: we're asking London's next Mayor to finish London's 'Strategic Cycling Network' (you can see the latest version of it at bit.ly/NewSCAmap, thanks to Hackney Cycling Campaign's Will Petty) in every borough by 2028. so everywhere in London is connected for cycling.

3. FUNDING FOR EVERYONE: TfL needs to put enough budget in to achieve the above. Given TfL's current shaky funding situation with the government, at the bare minimum that means matching or exceeding its active travel budget this year every year to 2028.

made safer, faster. Plus we’ve got other secret irons in the fire too.

So, let’s all have fun this mayoral election cycle, then jump back in with more serious campaigning after — by which time, hopefully we'll have a new Mayor who loves cycling as much as we do.

For the next few months, we’re hoping London Loves Cycling will provide the perfect excuse to show the capital some cycling love. Just get out and ride...

n lcc.org.uk/LondonLovesCycling

The solution to the resolution

CYCLING CHA

Melanie Etherton meets just a few of the influential London women enabling others to cycle in the city

MONA MUSA-GRAY

Age: 39

Borough: Hillingdon

How it started

I bought a bike during lockdown, did the first Black Unity Bike Ride (BUBR) in 2020, and before I knew it became a ride leader, then a coach. My friendship with Nevin started through that first ride. Now I’ve given up work as a nurse and instead help organise BUBR and volunteer teaching women to cycle.

Black Unity Bike Ride

Every year BUBR has welcomed at least 1,000 people, it’s like a carnival. It’s outwardly a place for Black people to come as they are, and not have to conform to practices or ways of being that other people may deem too loud or too eccentric. We come, we have fun, we sing, we dance. It creates an atmosphere of empowerment and unity that anyone who rides with us will feel.

Making assumptions

Because I also ride with other groups, I see the disproportionate scrutiny BUBR receives. On that first ride we had police helicopters follow us the entire route; and when we invite the police to cycle with us, they won’t. We had to face a Lambeth Council panel asking if our music would cause crime in the area, but they didn’t even ask what music we’d be playing! At 5pm the day before BUBR one year, the council cancelled half our food vendors. It’s been very hard to work with.

A place of love

You cannot set up something like BUBR unless you have a team with varied skills and life experiences. When people operate from a place of love and joy, that’s what will make something a success.

n blackunitybikeride.com

Photos: Melanie Etherton

NGEMAKERS

NEVIN SUNDERJI

Age: 57

Borough: Hounslow

I’ve taken other women on rides…

Almost every week since I qualified as a cycling instructor in 2021, either as a ride leader, a marshal, or as my speciality as ‘back marker’. I’m a founder member of Cycle Sisters Hounslow, enabling Muslim women to cycle, and I’ve taken over 1,200 women out cycling in the past three years.

I am so proud of…

The progress our sisters make. They start as beginners, then they push themselves to go a little further, then they end up doing amazing things like RideLondon. It’s about the warm welcome we provide, not putting any barriers up, and enabling each one to teach one.

Confident and sexy!

As back marker I spend a lot of time looking at people from behind. Sometimes our sisters don’t put their saddles up enough, so when we stop I sidle up to them and say: “I want you to look just as confident and sexy as me, so I’m going to put your seat up, deal with it.” They protest, but it’s better for your knees, and they all tell me when we get back how much better it feels.

Your borough provides free cycling lessons

Take advantage of them, even if you cycle already. Becoming an instructor improved my cycling so much. Cycling is all about the four rules: communication, observation, positioning and priority.

What motivates me

The smile I see on my sisters’ faces when they’ve achieved something they didn’t think they could.

n cyclesisters.org.uk

TAQIA ADELABU

Age: 47

Borough: Westminster

When I started with JoyRiders… I saw ‘beginner’s ride’ and thought they meant complete beginners. On the day they asked if I could ride a bike and I told a little white lie, because I didn’t want to go home. You have to set yourself challenges. What’s the worst that can happen?

That was it

I got on the bike and we left. I kept bumping into things, car mirrors, bumping, falling off, getting back on. Sarah and her backstop Kate were amazing, so patient. From then on,

I could cycle. That was two years ago.

I helped start the Westminster JoyRiders group

It’s myself, Sarah and a few other women, leading a group every Thursday morning at 10 o’clock. I tell the other ladies about my journey. As a woman that wears the niqab, I used to think there’d be a barrier because I look different, but I find there’s no barrier. My favourite thing is being on the bike and just zooming off.

More routes!

I want more bike routes, hamduilalah! Like Harrow Road for example: it should be quite straightforward to get to Ealing

from here, but the roads are dangerous. I do risk it because I’m very confident, but obviously not everyone can do that, so we need those cycle lanes.

The sky’s my limit now

I go to Hackney to ride with Cycle Sisters, I ride to Ealing on the weekend, I go four or five hours with the Breeze ladies group, I’m helping with LCC campaigning and protests in Westminster. My two challenges for this year are the London Marathon in April and the London to Brighton bike ride in September. And to think two years ago I’d never even got on a bike.

n joyriders.org.uk

Age: 89 — I’m hoping I get to 90 on my bike!

Borough: Camden

How it started

I retired in about 2000 and wanted to do something. The local LCC group co-ordinator put out a few cries for help on the Camden Yahoo list and I’ve been on the committee ever since.

The intellectual challenge

I was an academic computer scientist. It’s absolutely the intellectual challenge that motivates me: looking at consultations and seeing how things work. On behalf of Camden Cyclists, I’ve audited over 500 highways’ consultations in the past 20 years.

They’re all available to view on the group’s website.

Showing support

A typical consultation will get a few hundred responses. But for one key cycle track through Camden (Tavistock Place) we drummed up support. When the council consulted they got more than 15,000 responses, 75% positive, which they’ve never had before or since. It must have been really hard work reading them all!

Having power

I think ultimately your council deals with you because you’re electing them. Whereas bodies like Hampstead Heath don’t have any sympathy for us, and

we should have realised earlier to stop wasting our efforts.

Having patience

When you see little bits on the road that you think you might have caused to happen, it’s a really nice feeling. There’s a one-way street just up from us that’s just gone two-way for cycling, and I was so pleased! I think we first asked for it in about 2009. You have to be patient.

n Jean and her husband George are previous winners of LCC’s Campaigner of the Year award. Listen to an extended interview with Jean at https://qrco.de/ jeanLCC.

JEAN DOLLIMORE

SHAMEEM VESAMIA

Borough: Hackney

How it started

I took over A&S Cycles in 2013 after my husband passed away. For me, as a mum of three children under 10, losing the shop at the same time as losing him would have been devastating. The support of the community picked us up and gave me the drive to continue, and I started to realise I enjoyed it.

Bike culture

In the early stages I was nearly lost in other people’s prejudices. Clients would walk straight past me. I’ve had a spanner thrown at me. I’ve had a bike thrown

at me. It’s an unfortunate part of bike culture that we face daily.

My own stamp

Once people speak to me, they realise I’m not just sitting behind a till, keeping the shop tidy! I’ve been recognised in the Hackney businesswoman of the year awards. I’ve had senior male business owners in the bike industry come to me for private advice. It’s been 11 years of sheer hard work, but I’m not just someone who took on a role: I’ve put my own stamp on it.

A truly bespoke service

I run my business differently. It’s been

said that I’m the first Muslim female bike shop owner, but I don’t want to be the only one. We support groups like Cycle Sisters and Salaam Peace, we run mechanic workshops for female-led groups, customers text me at 3am. If people need it, we’ll repair their bike for free. The way we treat people is very bespoke, and that includes our staff. Now I’m pleased to say that we’re opening our first family cycling showroom and, with my children leading our workshop and design, we’re taking it to that next level.

n Visit A&S Cycles at 69 and 161A Lower Clapton Road, Hackney.

ALISON WOOD

Age: 50

Borough: Redbridge

My business is…

Called Veloqi. I specialise in ultradistance cycle coaching (typically 500km-4,000km) and in providing safe spaces for under-represented demographics to learn, progress and succeed.

We constantly underestimate… Female endurance. Two of the last three winners of the open 4,800km Race Across America have been women aged 50+. So much research about training protocols and nutrition is based on male physiology, where it’s assumed women are just smaller men. Today’s research reveals so much more and I ensure I implement that in my coaching.

A friend challenged me…

To learn to cycle in 2012, for a triathlon challenge. Just a few years later I’m not only cycling thousands of kilometres but also the lead coach for the Ultradistance Scholarship. That escalated quickly!

How I see myself

A holistic cycling coach — it’s about the entire person. When I was training for the Amateur World Championships with Team GB, I was also studying for my degree in cycling performance and a full-time carer for my grandmother who had multiple sclerosis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She was my biggest supporter, and when she passed away my coach threw me straight into intense interval training. Within three months I’d crashed and

burned. That had a huge impact on the type of coach I want to be.

Top tip:

I’m neurodiverse and because of my entrepreneur brain, I easily come up with too many ideas. My tip in life, let alone coaching, is to focus on your strengths.

Cycling to me is…

My cultural belonging. I’m mixed ethnicity, and the cycling community is the first time I feel I truly belong. My mission is to empower people from under-represented groups, and cycling is my conduit.

n Contact Alison for an initial cycling goals consultation at veloqi.cc.

Ultimate Bicycle Security

ACROSS THE WORLD city authorities and planners are embracing the use of bicycles to tackle everything from pollution and congestion to obesity and air quality. Which means cycling is no longer purely the preserve of enthusiasts and committed green-minded urban dwellers, as improvements in infrastructure and developments in bike technology, especially e-bikes, offer the magical ability to transform the morning commute, daily school run or weekend shopping from a grind into an effortless breeze.

Many current town bikes now offer functionality on a par with top-level road or mountain bikes, but it doesn’t come cheap with some e-cargobikes selling for £6,000 or more. Bikes deploy the same tech we use elsewhere in everyday life. Imagine being without mobile phones, laptops,

GPS computers and LED lights; our modern world would be unthinkable without the portable power offered by lithium-ion batteries. But sadly it’s also this advance in technology that’s supercharged bike theft, allowing criminals to quickly destroy even the most sophisticated locks, including products which were previously considered a safe bet in mega cities such as New York, Berlin or London.

Armed with tools intended for use by builders and tradesmen, criminal gangs have become the scourge of city cyclists. Their weapons of choice — portable power tools with brushless electric motors — have developed at the same pace as other electrical products and, unfortunately, they’re widely available at discount supermarkets.

The long dreamed of travel transformation is at risk of floundering if high value bikes can be stolen in seconds. Luckily

ABUS, the global leader in quality bicycle locks, has designed a beast of a D-lock with an unparalleled level of protection against angle grinders.

Tough talk

Following multiple years of analysing, testing and often rejecting certain materials, the ABUS R&D team finally identified one which could significantly boost protection against grinder disc attacks without compromising performance against other commonly used tools, such as bolt croppers, scaffold poles and car jacks.

Starting with the proven Granit X PLUS 540 D-lock, ABUS engineers applied multiple layers of liquid Wolfram Carbide to every external structural member of the lock. The aim was to exceed both the high demands of the UK Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond testing and develop the most secure D-lock on the market. The resulting new

RACK IT UP: The Granit Super Extreme can be carried horizontally or vertically on a rear rack

lock — the Granit Super Extreme 2500 — exceeded all expectations.

Proudly made in Germany, with the renowned build quality, corrosion resistance and long life of all ABUS products, the full-length shackle allows e-bike and cargobike riders greater flexibility than a mini D-lock. This is important when securing a large bike which is tough to manoeuvre in tight parking situations. No lock can ever offer 100% protection against power tools, but a thief using a modern, high-powered portable angle grinder would need several fully-charged batteries and multiple cutting discs (£3-5 each) to defeat this mighty lock.

Such technology, of course, comes at a price: the Granit Super Extreme costs £260. But relative to the value of a highend e-bike this represents just a small investment to achieve peace of mind.

n abus.com

GEORGIA YEXLEY

Iman Saadoune speaks to the start-up founder on why a switch to cycling and micromobility modes is the key to more joyful travels

What shapes your experiences cycling in London for business and leisure?

I do like to cycle at a pace where I can look about and enjoy what’s going on around me. I think for me it’s less about other cyclists being faster. It’s the expectation drivers have of me as a cyclist; there’s a domineering feeling about car drivers and their attitude towards cyclists.

We have a cultural issue between this idea that as soon as you’re on a bike, you’re no longer a person, that you’re somehow now a cyclist — not a person on a bike, you’re a cyclist and a problem. And that is something that we must tackle, head on.

With that in mind, what are the three most important values that motivate you?

Love of learning, appreciation of beauty and excellence, and honesty. And I think that speaks to that feeling of why we are not learning from evidence on studies done in the transport sector in the UK, why we aren’t encouraging people to have joyful journeys and appreciate beauty and nature, and why we aren’t telling the truth.

You fairly recently left a comfortable job to set up Loud Mobility, a start-up. How did you navigate your fear of failure?

Fear is part of the process. To do something in line with one’s values is not about failure. Doing things

differently, moving into another organisation or changing jobs, isn’t about failures, it’s about change. And change is inevitable.

Why the name Loud Mobility and what are its aims?

I suppose since my school days in north London that label has been attached to me; I’ve always been loud, and that’s not always looked at positively in girls. And I think being a woman of colour, I was always very aware that one is seen before being heard. So another part is about the importance of being heard, and the collective voice that we want to encourage. We already know where the issues are in the transport sector, now it’s about raising our voices. If Loud Mobility had a motto it would be raising the volume on joyful, sustainable journeys. And that’s two-fold: raising the volume in terms of being louder, and talking about the importance of this journey towards decarbonisation in a way that is inclusive, accessible and enjoyable. We shouldn’t be aiming for the bare minimum of focussing mainly on safety — that is the basic requirement for transport. And the other side of raising the volume is the number and the people that are involved as users and professionals within the sector, which are both dominated by cis gender white men. This is not the makeup of the population. It causes us to have a transport system that is built around the needs of cis gender white males. We must change that. We need more equity in the sector.

So you’ve been thinking about this idea for a while?

I originally set it up with a friend of mine, but in Autumn 2022 I experienced life changes; I lost a dear friend of mine, I became aware of my own neuro-divergence, and I left my role at Tier Mobility. My intention initially was to have a career break. I wanted to connect with people in my network who

Photo: Becky Mursell

shared similar values to me. And in sharing ideas and conversations, it became evident that there was this gap in the focus on joyful journeys.

I took on the first project when we started trading in February 2023. We focussed initially on advisory and consulting works, and our first big project was cross-sector collaboration with World Bicycle Relief to deliver its global charity partnership with the UCI Cycling World Championships, working with the policy and government stakeholders involved, all the bike brands, and on the commercial side of the event.

Connecting with cycling enthusiasts, through an awareness about cycling as a tool for access to education, healthcare and empowering communities was a fascinating aspect of this work.

Why a social enterprise?

Working in the sustainable transport micromobility sector connected with my values. I previously joined organisations in their early stages where those values were very much entrenched in the way they operated. However, when the end goal of a company shifts towards attracting shareholder investment and profitability often those values start to fall away. And so, in setting up Loud Mobility, the aim is financial sustainability and being able to pay people fairly.

That’s why structuring Loud Mobility

Off the bike: Georgia’s the face behind an exciting new start-up

as a social enterprise and protecting the mission and values is so critical. We’ve had a profitable first year, which is fantastic, and we’ve reinvested the profit. But the mission is not about profitability, it’s about making change.

How did your journey positively shape Loud Mobility’s unique voice?

There is a need for this sector to have more people that look like me and have similar values. And I know that they are in the sector already, but there needs to be more of us.

Once I did an interview on a news programme about e-scooters. There was another lady being interviewed who was calling for them to be banned, even though they were still illegal! And she talked about these young teenagers on e-scooters having fun. In my role as a general manager at the time, I felt I couldn’t ask what is wrong with teenagers having fun — surely that is a good outcome for transport?

That interview left me conflicted. I don’t think someone at TFL, or a local councillor could say that. And I was wondering who could have sat there on a TV show and said, “listen, we should want more people to have fun, joyful journeys.” So, for me, creating Loud Mobility as a platform to talk about joyful journeys loudly is a good outcome.

This inspired the creation of your organisation?

When I travel, I’m not thinking about speed, I take my time and enjoy my surroundings

A lot of the inspiration came from all the incredible people in my network who encouraged me to occupy that space. In the three months I spent interacting with those people, and learning more about where they saw issues and where they saw

opportunities, it really inspired me. Loud Mobility happened organically, and it was through that exploration and being open and sharing ideas, that I was able to crystallise its aim and vision.

As a woman of colour, what messages do you think would encourage more women of colour to explore e-cycling?

I don’t think there’s something that women of colour need to be told. They need to be given the opportunity. In the ‘She’s Electric’ campaign, for example, we’re creating events around the UK in 2024 where we will be working with some leading brands and supporting partners to give women the opportunity in a fun environment just to try e-bikes and ask questions without any expectations. We’re also connecting with the local community groups, organisations and individuals who are creating those long-term opportunities in various cities, so that there’s ongoing support for women.

We just want to be the catalysts for those connections, to showcase the people that are already doing this work, to encourage, and shout about them and to encourage women to reach out.

Following the findings of our recent survey (see page 14), the LCC Women’s Network is calling for safe cycling for women

in London. We want cycling to be an inclusive mode of transport that men and women use equally, across London, by 2030, and want to achieve that by addressing physical and social safety for women when cycling, and creating safe local networks for cycling. What’s your take on these key asks?

They are all so critical, we still have a transport system that values only moving people to and from their place of work as quickly as possible. Success is measured in terms of speed and productivity.

When I travel, I am not thinking about speed, I like to take time to enjoy my surroundings at my pace. Women tend to take shorter journeys for different purposes. We must, finally, start to think beyond the commute. Success should be about creating joyful journeys, access to positive experiences and transport for everyone.

What’s next for you and Loud Mobility?

I was super excited to announce last November that Caz Conneller had joined our leadership team as director of community and culture — many of your readers will probably know Caz from her brilliant work at Cyclechic. Caz and I connected during that period where I was exploring ideas; we’d worked together behind the scenes for a while, developing opportunities which were based on a genuine relationship, trust and having this shared goal.

And so, we launched the ‘She’s Electric’ campaign (sheselectric.org), which is all about getting more women on e-bikes because they’re such amazing, sustainable tools in lowering barriers. We’ve got lots more exciting stuff to look foward to as well.

Leading the way: as part of the ‘She’s Electric’ campaign

Photos: Honor Elliot

& WELLBEING

Finella Craig

,

a consultant in paediatric palliative medicine, looks at the specific positives of cycling for women of all ages

I’M OFTEN ASKED why I cycle everywhere and my reply is always that it makes me feel good. But why is that? Is it a smug sense of getting everywhere quicker and cheaper, or is cycling really doing something good to my brain and my body? And are there any unique benefits for women, where the hormone changes of periods, pregnancy, the menopause and postmenopause all bring different challenges?

Fortunately, feeling good after cycling is not just down to smugness. Endorphins released while cycling have an instant feel-good factor and reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol, especially when we cycle outside.

People who cycle feel less stressed, have over 20% fewer days of poor mental health, report higher levels of quality of life, and have better perceived general health. Having strong social networks is another protector of mental health, particularly for women, and cycling provides excellent opportunities for this. Joining a social cycling group, such as JoyRiders (only for women), is a great way to discover quieter, women-friendly cycle routes, socialise (usually over coffee and cake) and improve overall wellbeing. Given that women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men, cycling would seem an obvious choice to protect and improve our mental health.

Cycling also has huge benefits for our physical health. Women are generally less likely to be physically active than men, which contributes to poorer health and a higher mortality risk. An analysis of seven studies, following 200,000 adults for up to 18 years, found that cycling for 100 minutes per week can reduce mortality risk by 17%, increasing to 24% for those cycling 270 minutes a week. In most studies the largest benefit is seen among previous non-cyclists, so a good reason to encourage our non-cycling friends to join us!

And it seems that it is never too late to start. A study in older adults, with a mean age of 70, found as little as 13 minutes cycling a day reduced mortality risk by 28%. The reasons for this are at least in part due to the reduced risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, which are especially relevant to women post-menopause. Over 25% of women are significantly overweight, which causes an increased incidence of many health issues, including cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Cycling can help with weight reduction as calorie consumption is not only increased during exercise but at rest, by reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass. Some studies have also shown a reduced overall risk of cancer and cancer mortality among cyclists, and there is one study that showed a reduced

risk of lung cancer in female cyclists, but not in men. So cycling clearly has health benefits in terms of morbidity and mortality, and these may be especially important for women.

Life stages

Cycling can also be beneficial in managing the life stages that are unique to women. Staying active in pregnancy can reduce problems in the latter stages and during labour, and cycling is an excellent way to do this. It can help control blood pressure, build stamina for labour and delivery, and speed up post-natal recovery. It can also be a particularly good form of transport if walking is limited by pelvic pain. And, of course, it has proven benefits for our mental health. Any exercise in pregnancy, however, should be done safely, so cyclists may want to consider easier routes than they may have chosen previously.

Getting back in the saddle after childbirth may not sound immediately appealing. But it

Given the additional mental health benefits, it is no surprise that studies have shown cyclists to be the happiest commuters

is important to stay active in the time after delivery, when there is a much higher risk of blood clots, especially for women who have had a caesarean. It is always best to check with your obstetrician as to how quickly you can return to, or start, cycling as it may depend on how you delivered and any associated physical trauma.

The UK Government website recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week post-delivery and includes cycling in its list of suggested activities. It helps improve fitness, sleep, weight management and sense of wellbeing, as well as allowing time for yourself, and can be a good form of self-help for postnatal depression. With a busy household cycling also proves a time-efficient way to combine travel and exercise. But it’s best to check your riding position doesn’t cause any ill effects.

Exercise for the win

The hormonal shifts during the menopause bring new challenges: muscle loss, hot flushes, poor sleep, weight gain, ‘brain fog’, and anxiety/ depression, to name but a few. There is some evidence that regular exercise, such as cycling, can help regulate our hormones and reduce hot flushes. It can also improve concentration and sleep.

Our libido, that often suffers a menopausal decline, can also be improved, along with our general feeling of confidence. So, the message really is to keep on cycling, or start cycling, as a way of managing the menopause and reducing symptoms. It is worth noting that the menopausal drop in oestrogen can cause perineal tissue to become thinner, making cycling less comfortable, but don’t let this stop you as GPs may be able to offer a solution.

As we get older, osteoarthritis can be a particular issue for women due to a genetic predisposition, our hormone changes and an increased incidence of obesity. As a low-impact sport, cycling can enable us to remain active and build muscle strength while reducing the impact on painful joints. The endorphins released also act as natural analgesics, so can lessen pain. An additional benefit is that it can help with weight loss which is a significant factor in improving arthritis pain.

For busy women, at any stage of life, finding time for exercise can be tricky. Here, cycling really is a win-win. Even if we only cycle to and from work, we can reap health benefits. One UK study showed that compared to non-active commuting, cycling to work was associated with a 41% lower risk of mortality. Even cycling only part of the way is beneficial. And as cycling is second only to walking as the cheapest way to get to work, it is definitely one of the most costefficient ways to travel — a benefit for women who generally earn less than men.

Electric bikes

With more women switching to electric bikes, it is worth noting that these bring similar health benefits to regular bikes. While less demanding to ride, they still require physical exertion, muscle activity and joint movement. Women with e-bikes tend to cycle more frequently, cover longer distances and therefore spend more time exercising. E-bikes also put less strain on muscles and joints, which can be helpful as we get older. Additionally, they offer the same mental health benefits as regular cycling, so you still get that feel-good factor. And for those of us becoming less physically able as we get older, an e-bike can be a good alternative to walking and public transport, helping us maintain important social interactions and activities.

And the risks?

It would not be balanced to talk about the benefits of cycling without considering the risks. Road safety is a significant concern for female cyclists and while road collisions are higher for

cyclists than car drivers, the risks are relatively low and the health benefits are more than 20 times greater than the slightly increased risk of collision. The health benefits also substantially outweigh the small increase in exposure to air pollution. Where there are low-traffic routes or physical separations between bicycles and motor vehicles, risks from traffic injury and exposure to air pollution are both reduced. So, on balance, the physical and mental health pros of cycling far outweigh any cons, especially if we have safer cycling infrastructures.

Cycling really seems to be a brilliant allround exercise for women of all ages — it is a low-impact, relatively accessible activity with huge physical and mental health benefits. It has a positive impact on diseases that impact women and can help improve health and relieve symptoms during and after pregnancy and the menopause. So why do considerably fewer women cycle than men?

For many it is lack of confidence riding on the road, which also includes fear of harassment and abuse, which is at least twice as common for female cyclists than men. We need to work towards the sort of cycling infrastructure seen in the Netherlands and Denmark where women are as likely to cycle as men. Creating social cycling networks for women of all abilities is also essential, to improve confidence and help women start and continue cycling.

Only once these are achieved will women have adequate access to the benefits of cycling that are uniquely ours. My hope is that we build a city where every woman can be a cyclist.

“Osbornes Law took on my case after I was hit by van on my cycle to work. I learnt about them as a member of the London Cycling Campaign. I would recommend Osbornes Law to anyone who is unsure how to proceed following a traumatic cycling accident.”

Felicia D

Proud to be the legal partner of the LCC and their members

We operate a free telephone advice line for LCC members who have been involved in a cycling crash or collision. Our lawyers will advise you of your legal rights, the legal process and whether a legal claim can be brought.

Telephone: 020 3944 1334 | Email: cycling@osborneslaw.com

NEW BIKES FOR 2024

Looking for a new bike? Well here’s a guide to some of the best new models on the market, all designed around the needs of city cyclists

THERE’S NOTHING quite like ‘new bike day’! But before you get to that point, it pays to do your research — and that’s where the fun starts. With hundreds of options at every price point, and tech developments moving at such a fast pace, it’s good to have a little insider knowledge.

So here’s a round-up of just a few of the new rides available in 2024; from daily commuters to cargobikes, there’s something for everyone.

Yamaha is a name widely recognised in the motorcycle, music and marine worlds, but it’s less well known that the company has been a major supplier of power units to the e-bike industry for the last 30 years. The CrossCore RC is part of its own e-bike range launched in 2023, applying that legacy of premium quality manufacturing to new urban, mountain and gravel models.

The CrossCore is designed for everything from commuting through to leisure riding, and at its heart is the PW-ST drive unit, one of the quietest and most responsive motors in its class. Front suspension forks soak up the bumps, while the Display A interface makes changing pedal assist modes quick and easy. n £2,200; yamaha-motor.co.uk

The Tenways CGO800S is more than just an e-bike, it’s a statement of freedom; with a sleek design, advanced features and focus on comfort, it’s perfectly tailored to the needs of the modern female rider.

Equipped with a beautifully responsive Mivice rear hub motor and Gates carbon belt drive, the CGO800S ensures a smooth and low maintenance singlespeed ride, with the 374Wh battery offering up to a 60-mile range. Packed with thoughtful touches such as a front suspension fork, rear indicators and a smart display for seamless navigation, the CGO800S is designed to elevate the riding experience for women. n £1,899; tenways.com

With an eye-catching design, this modular cargo trike is a real game-changer. Carrying loads of up to 125kg plus rider, it is the epitome of strength and reliability, incorporating high-quality parts and components.

Innovated by designers N55 and Till Wolfer in Copenhagen in 2011, XYZ Cargo is a collective of micro-factories based in the UK and Europe. The UK sub-producer, MJ Somerville, is a non-binary maker and understands the needs of people often alienated by traditional brands — all clients have a 1-2-1 consultation before cycles are handmade to order. Perfect for shopping, transporting young kids or even a new business.

n From £3,500; xyzcargo.co.uk

The Gravit Dust is a full-sized, yet super-compact, cargobike that’s ideal for the city and equally capable for gravel bikepacking adventures. At just 20kg, with low stepover frame, wide tyres, front suspension and sure handling, it makes easy work of any road or track. Wide range gears mean hills are a breeze too, especially with the optional Shimano motor. Capacity is 200kg: 70kg on the platform, one large and one small pannier on each side, and more on a rear rack; this platform removes quickly, while the telescoping frame reduces to only 174cm long, allowing transport on a normal bike-carrier, in any train, or under a stairwell. Test rides and demos available.

n From £3,695; specialbikesuk.com (London Recumbents)

HASE GRAVIT DUST

YAMAHA CROSSCORE RC

TENWAYS CGO800S

XYZ CARGO TRIKE

TREK BIKES FX+ 2 STAGGER

City e-bikes don’t come much sleeker or more stylish than the CGO600 Pro, which comes equipped with a 250W rear hub motor, torque sensor, three levels of power assist, and singlespeed Gates carbon belt drive. All these combine to create a super smooth, extremely natural ride feel, ideal for urban cyclists.

High-quality components offer a virtually maintenancefree and clean riding experience. This lightweight e-bike features a 360Wh battery, with a range of up to 60 miles. Simple and efficient, the CGO600 Pro is also sporty enough for mini-breaks out of town and for short tours. n £1,799; tenways.com

TENWAYS CGO600 PRO MIRIDER ONE

The MiRider One folding e-bike is a marvel of design and functionality. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, it offers a range of up to 45 miles on a single charge. The pedal-assist helps you effortlessly conquer hills, providing a smooth and enjoyable ride, and the lightweight, robust aluminium frame marries durability with confident handling. The foldable design allows for convenient storage in tight spaces too. Proudly made in Britain, the MiRider One blends style with sustainability, showcasing the best of British innovation in urban mobility. This is the future of commuting: a seamless, enjoyable journey for riders who seek efficiency, style and eco-conscious travel. n From £1,595; bicical.co.uk

Part of Trek’s ‘everyday’ e-bike range, the FX+ 2 Stagger comes as standard with an intuitive drive system, LED lights, mudguards, and a rear rack. It’s lightweight, fun and suitable for just about any adventure!

A 40Nm rear hub motor is paired with a 250Wh internal battery system to provide the torque riders need to enjoy the start and stop of city cycling — you get more torque from the first pedal stroke, making quick starts away from junctions easier. Pedal assist is capped at the legal maximum of 25km/h, while riders can explore up to 35 miles on one battery charge (or double that with an optional range extender).

n £2,125; trekbikes.com

YAMAHA BOOSTER EASY

With its ultra-smooth Yamaha drive unit, rugged aluminium chassis and fat high-grip tyres, the Booster Easy e-bike gives you total freedom to move in and around the city. With contemporary styling, lightweight instrumentation, and compact LED lighting for 24/7 use, it stands out from the crowd. The low centre of gravity provides added stability, and with a rear carrier and the option to fit baskets and inner bags, it’s functional as well as fun. Instant pedal assistance is provided by a premium PWseries-S2 drive unit that gives a totally natural ride feel, and a 630Wh Yamaha battery powers you to a legal maximum speed of 25km/h and a range of up to 120km. n £2,900; yamaha-motor.co.uk

IT PAYS TO SPEAK WITH EXPERTS

OSBORNES LAW recently settled a claim for an injured female cyclist who sustained serious injuries to her wrist and hands after being knocked off her bike when a car suddenly turned across her path. The driver’s insurance company admitted liability and made an early settlement offer for only £5,000.

Specialist cycling lawyer, Laura Swaine, advised her client to decline this offer as it was made without sight of any medical evidence. She said: “Accepting an early settlement is tempting to clients, however we always explain to them that such offers are final and, if accepted, you cannot claim any additional compensation in the future, even if injuries sustained get worse or do not heal as thought.”

In this case, Laura arranged for early rehabilitation and a case manager for her client. The cyclist underwent initial physiotherapy,

Our partners at Osbornes Law explain why legal advice is key if you have a collision

before an MRI was done to check if the fractures were healing properly. The cyclist also required some CBT treatment due to anxiety about getting back on her bike. This treatment allowed the cyclist to recover more quickly and get back to what she loved doing.

Long-term help

Taking this route in valuing the longterm cost of the injury, including medical care and therapies, meant Laura achieved a final settlement of £70,000 for her client.

The client said: “I was pleased that the driver admitted he was at fault and was minded to accept the initial offer, just to move on.

That was until Laura explained to me that my ongoing rehab needs had not been considered and accepting a low offer wouldn’t be in my best interests. It’s very daunting instructing a lawyer, but Laura took the time to explain the whole process to me and my family and was fantastic in making arrangements to ensure I received the correct care which eventually allowed me to get back to cycling in London with confidence.”

WHAT TO DO AT THE SCENE OF A COLLISION

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GOING DUTCH

The annual David Eales memorial ride to Amsterdam had a very different look last year, with a record number of women participating

EACH SUMMER DOZENS of cyclists gather in south London, with bags packed and snacks at the ready, for six to seven days of easy-paced riding to Amsterdam. The event is run in memory of long-time LCC campaigner and cycling activist, David Eales, whose work was perhaps best known in the Ealing and west London area — and participants raise funds for LCC in the process.

And each year the ride has grown in numbers with, rather brilliantly, 2023 attracting a record number of women cyclists. Of those some were regular commuters, others more recreation focussed, but all looking for a new experience. Here’s a few of their stories...

From start to finish: leaving a rainy Greenwich for sun in the ‘Dam

Rachel Naunton

“I said ‘yes’ without hesitation when I heard about this ride. Keen to challenge myself, I was also nervous about the hills from London to Dover, but the route turned out to be smooth and enjoyable. Even the punctures, excessive rain and steep off-road section didn’t affect the joy, freedom and empowerment I felt travelling with my gear under my own steam.

“Cycling on the continent more than lived up to its reputation too. The picturesque journey from Dunkirk through France, Belgium and the Netherlands proved quiet, easy to navigate and safe. We were consistently prioritised by drivers and treated with respect. Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Rotterdam brought interesting stops, where even cycle parking became a treat! The highlight was a bike tour led by the Deputy Mayor of Ghent, Filip Watteeuw, organised by LCC. He explained how the city changed from being vehicle heavy to the largest low-traffic pedestrian zone in Europe. It was heartening to hear both the ups and downs of their campaign.

“It was also a great experience to ride with such a wonderfully diverse group, including those from Cycle Sisters, an award-winning Muslim womens’ cycling group who brought

warmth, energy and lots of fun. I seem to get kudos now when I tell people I cycled to the Netherlands, but I wish I was better at convincing people how very achievable it is. Only a few years ago I was too scared to cycle on roads and now I can’t wait to ride further into Europe.”

Indie Kaur

“Beforehand I was apprehensive about this trip. Why? Because I worried how I was going to pack and live off a bike for nine days. But advice and support from fellow cyclists was essential to my success, even the smaller things; from locking up bikes, planning meals and bathroom breaks, to ensuring the pace of the ride worked for us all. Support from LCC was invaluable, helping with repairs and motivation through conversation, laughter, and hearing about the ride’s history.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience — the roads were flatter than in the UK, we visited beautiful places, and knowing that we had a new city to explore each day added to the excitement. I would definitely consider this ride again and would encourage others as well. I love seeing the shock on people’s faces when I tell them I completed a ride to Amsterdam.

“The finale on the beach in France was my favourite part of the trip. A real sense of achievement that we had all made it and were on our way home. If only we could have taken the flat cycle paths with us!”

Huda Al-Hadithy

“I have always used cycling for commuting in London, but never ridden much as part of a group or for enjoyment until I started joining LCC weekend rides. I love the wind flowing through my hair and the freedom cycling brings.

“London to Amsterdam was exhilarating. Being part of a group but also having time on my own was awesome. Travelling through town after town, along waterways with stunning scenery while the sun looked down on us, freed my mind from the constant clutter that normally fills it. The balance of cycling, downtime and meeting people in different cities was a perfect combination.

“I loved being part of a diverse multi-cultural group, of all ages and from all walks of life, each with a different story to tell. The guides were phenomenal too and I would wholeheartedly

Town and country: Indie takes a selfie stop, then the team meets the Deputy Mayor of Ghent

recommend this adventure to every cyclist. Thank you for the trip of a lifetime.”

Afrozina Abaraonye

“Being the organiser’s daughter I didn’t have much choice on whether I was joining this trip, but I’m so glad that I did. When I told my friends later that I had cycled from London to Amsterdam, I felt an odd mixture of embarrassment and pride at the absurdity of what we’d done. But the ride showed me that it’s not all about Olympic-level sport cycling alongside intense guys on carbon bikes wearing ugly glasses; I was surrounded by beautiful scenery, farms, lakes and animals, different architecture, languages and cultures.

“The best part was that it was with a community of kind, encouraging, hilarious people. Being the youngest on the ride for my second year in a row came with nerves, but I soon realised that they were unfounded; it was such a supportive, lively group. From the people to the places, every facet of the trip was exciting and rewarding. My friends and I are already excited to go again next year.”

The 2024 David Eales memorial ride, from London to Amsterdam, will run from 3-10 August, and riders will again be raising funds for LCC. n lcc.org.uk/events/london-to-amsterdam-2024

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NEW-MEMBER BENEFITS

• Third-party insurance cover

• Discounted cycle insurance

• Free cycling legal advice

• Discounts with 100+ bike shops and top cycling retailers

• Subscription to London Cyclist magazine

• Free gift for you and a friend

HOW TO CLAIM

Visit lcc.org.uk/membership or use the QR code opposite:

Ride Guide

DOLOMITES WEEK

15 - 22 June 2024

• Conquer the famous Dolomiti climbs based in beautiful Cortina.

• Price from £1445

STELVIO, GAVIA & MORTIROLO

24 - 29 June 2024

• Test yourself against these mythical Giro d’Italia climbs.

• Price from £975

SPANISH PYRENEES TRIP

6 - 13 July 2024

• Done the French Pyrenees? Come and cycle the Spanish side!

• Price from £1395

www.stuarthallcycling.co.uk

Email: stuart@stuarthallcycling.co.uk

Tel: +44 7801 914 929

& PIONEERS SUFFRAGETTES

AS THE SEAT OF both government and monarchy, London has always been an important place in the history of women's rights and the suffrage movement in this country. The home to many well-known suffragettes and pioneering women, it's also been the scene of hundreds of iconic protests, demonstrations and marches.

Unsurprisingly then, there's a rich network of monuments, statues, memorials and sites of special interest to visit across the capital, from Westminster to the East End. Our ride starts at Waterloo, to take advantage of the protected tracks over Westminster Bridge, circles up to the West End and Bloomsbury on quieter backstreets, before heading east to finish in Victoria Park. It could, of course, be ridden in the other direction and started at Stratford mainline stations, with a hop across the Olympic Park. It's also a 'ride of two halves', so points 1-10 could be visited in one loop and 11-14 in another, if you don't fancy the entire tour in one go.

The LC team takes you on a tour of historic sites from Westminster to the East End

FACTFILE

DISTANCE: 20km (12.5 miles)

ASCENT: 114m (345ft)

TERRAIN: all on road and cycleways.

SUITABLE FOR: all bikes. The majority of the ride is on protected cycleways and quiet back streets.

NEAREST STATIONS: Waterloo, Victoria and Stratford mainline stations.

DOWNLOAD FREE MAP

We have partnered with mapping specialist Komoot to bring you free downloadable route maps. Simply scan the QR code here to access the relevant page on your smartphone or tablet.

Photo: Loco Steve/flickr

Ride Guide

S/F: WATERLOO STATION

You could also start from Victoria, but this way makes use of the protected cycles lanes over Westminster Bridge and flows better for the early stops.

2 BOUDICA BRONZE

The queen of the ancient British Iceni tribe, who led an uprising against the conquering Romans in AD 60/61, is celebrated with a statue at the western end of the bridge.

SUFFRAGETTES & PIONEERS

procession from the hall to the Houses of Parliament for the start of each parliamentary session.

3 HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT

A frequent location for protests by Suffragettes. One notable incident was Black Friday in November 1910, when around 200 women were assaulted as they tried to run past police after finding out that PM Asquith had declined passing a bill for women to have the vote.

4 PANKHURST MONUMENT

Immediately south of Parliament is Victoria Tower Gardens, where you'll find the Emmeline Pankhurst sculpture, erected in 1930. Pankhurst (1858-1928) remains perhaps the best known figurehead of the Suffrage movement.

5 SUFFRAGETTE MONUMENT

Via Great Peter Street and Old Pye Street you arrive at Christchuch Gardens on Victoria Street. Here a bronze sculpture commemorates the Suffragettes’ campaign for women’s right to vote. Created by Edwin Russell, it was unveiled in 1970 with several surviving Suffragettes in attendance.

6 CAXTON HALL

Just around the corner is Caxton Hall, where the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) founded a Women’s Parliament at Caxton Hall in 1907. Members would make a

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

57 Suffragettes (including Pankhurst) were arrested outside Buckingham Palace in May 1914 as they attempted to deliver a petition to King George V. Violent clashes were reported as the women faced a 1,000-strong police blockage.

8 ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING

Cut through the backstreets of Mayfair up to the RCN's home at 20 Cavendish Square, near Oxford Circus. Interestingly, the Georgian townhouse was previously home to the aforementioned PM Asquith (in office from 1908 to 1916) and became a frequent target of protests due to his stance on women's suffrage. Many women chained themselves to the railings outside.

9 HOME OF DAME MILLICENT FAWCETT, 2 GOWER STREET

Take quiet streets west across Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury to the southern end of Gower Street, behind the British Museum. An important figure in the fight for women’s rights, Fawcett (18471929) was president of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) for 22 years, with supporters known as 'suffragists'. A blue plaque was unveiled at her former home in 1954.

of a memorial service and huge funeral procession following the death of Emily Wilding Davison. She was considered a martyr to the Suffragettes after stepping out in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby and her death made headline news around the world.

From here you can continue along Holborn to Bank and the City, or drop down via Drury Lane and Aldwych to join the protected cycle lanes on the Embankment. Either way you're heading east.

11 ROYAL LONDON HOSPITAL/ CAVELL STREET

The Royal London has played an important role in women’s lives in the East End for centuries. Among the trailblazing nurses who worked here are Annie Bewster, one of the first known African nurses working in London, and Edith Cavell who later treated wounded soldiers from both sides during the Great War and was executed from this 'crime' in 1915. The adjacent street is named after her.

12 LANSBURY CLOCK, BOW ROAD

Further east, opposite Bow Road station, you'll see the the clock dedicated to Minnie Lansbury, a suffragette and elected councillor who was jailed in 1921 (along with five others) for refusing to charge full rates from her poorest constituents.

10 ST GEORGE'S CHURCH

Another very short hop and you're at St George's. This was the scene in June 1913

LORD MORPETH PUB, 402 OLD FORD ROAD

A mural celebrates the former Women's Hall next door, once HQ for the East London Federation of Suffragettes from 1914 to 1924, and home of their leader, Sylvia Pankhurst.

A quick scoot across Victoria Park and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and you're at Stratford's mainline stations.

Photos: Prioryman, Eliasaris (Creative Commons)

WOMEN’S BIKE-FITTING TIPS

A well-fitted bike places minimum stress on your body while maximising performance. Some elements of a bike fit work best with specialist kit, but a lot of the work you can do yourself, even with the bike just leaning against a wall. Kate Corden (hackneybike.fit) is your guide here and is offering LCC members a 10% discount on bike fits until the end of March (use code LCC10).

1. OPTIMAL RIDER POSITION

Your body should be relaxed on the pedals and bars, not stretching to full extension or being too cramped. Too low a saddle (or short stem) strains your back and puts

pressure on your shoulders. Over-reaching strains your knees, stresses your core and requires muscles to be used in stabilising your position. Aim for the balance pictured.

2. ADJUST SADDLE HEIGHT

Saddle height affects saddle pressure, knee strain and rocking. Start with saddle set at the point where your leg is straight without stretching, with your heel all the way

down at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Level your foot and your knee should soften. Then start testing, moving the seatpost in 3-5mm steps until cycling feels easiest.

3. SADDLE HEIGHT — OVEREXTENSION

You do not want your leg fully extended at the bottom of a pedal stroke; if your toes have to point down in this postion, your saddle’s too high. Another

indicator is knee pain on longer rides (primarily in your dominant leg) — your body subconsciously compensates, so that leg ends up doing most of the work.

4. SADDLE HEIGHT — UNDER EXTENSION

Underextending is losing out on free power! Excess hip flexion at the top of the pedal stroke reduces smoothness and can add pressure to your knees.

If your knee comes up to nearly horizontal, your saddle’s too low. With each saddle adjustment upwards, pedalling will feel easier until your ideal position is reached.

5. STEM LENGTH — NOT TOO LONG OR SHORT

Your hands should feel ‘light’ on the bars while riding on the flat, without pushing yourself up (too short) or reaching too far (too long). If you ride drop bars, your

hands should naturally sit in the brake hoods, not further back (too long) or feeling wedged in (too short); you should move smoothly between hoods and drops.

6. HANDLEBAR HEIGHT s

Handy ‘spacers’ which sit above or below your stem allow bar height to be changed, plus angled stems can be flipped to raise/ lower bars. Lowering bars can

create space and relax your shoulders, neck and wrists. Raising bars can reduce strain if you’re overusing your core and neck muscles to stabilise a position that’s too low.

7. SADDLE SETBACK — FORWARDS/BACKWARDS

Often overlooked, but changing your saddle position rotates your pelvis, changes the shape of your back, saddle contact point and can dramatically increase

comfort. You can adjust the saddle forward or backward on its rails; for every 6mm forward, move the saddle up 2mm to maintain leg extension, and vice versa.

8. SADDLE CHOICE — KEY FOR COMFORT

Saddles should sit flat or maybe angled tip down by about 3 degrees (use the spirit level tool on your phone). Cut-outs or hollows increase comfort, but saddle shape

preference depends on your anatomy. Try a different saddle from hackneybikefit, or there’s larger saddle ‘libraries’ at London Bike Kitchen and Foundation Fit.

Images: Tom Bogdanowicz

SPRING CYCLING GEAR

As we head into the ‘shoulder season’ there’s some pieces of kit you don’t want to be without, whether it’s protecting yourself or your bike

WITH THE CLOCKS going forward in a few weeks, it’s a good time to give your bike and kit a good check to ensure both are ready for a busy few months of riding. Here’s some suggestions for clothing and accessories that we’re sure will enhance your cycle fun this year and well into the future...

#1 GTECHNIQ BIKE CERAMIC

Think of Bike Ceramic as a form of extreme dirt repellency: it’s been formulated to minimise adhesion of brake dust, road grime, mud and other ‘foreign objects’. It offers up to 24 months of protection and can be applied to all types of frame finishes, including paint protection films and vinyl.

n £55; gtechniq.co.uk

#2 CYCOLOGY SECRET GARDEN LONG SLEEVE SUMMER JERSEY

Cycology’s lightweight long-sleeved jerseys — available in five stunning designs — don’t only deliver excellent breathability and sweat-wicking performance to keep you cool and comfortable in warmer conditions, but they also act as an excellent sun block, protecting skin from UV rays with their SPF50 fabric treatment. They’re all made from a high-stretch material (15% elastane) and feature full-length zippers. n £80; cycologygear.co.uk

#3 RAVEMEN CR1000

With its innovative optical lens, the CR1000 creates an anti-glare, T-shaped beam which is perfect for urban riding, without dazzling others. In addition, excellent side visibility, multiple lighting modes, IPX6 heavy rain resistance, and a compact cyclindrical design, mean it is a reliable option for all cyclists, all year round, for safe daytime and night riding. It offers 2hr of output in highest (1,000-lumen) setting, and up to 33hr of run time in pulse flashing mode (500-lumens).

n £99.99; ravemen.com

#4 MADISON STELLAR FIFTYFIFTY REFLECTIVE WATERPROOF JACKET

A waterproof cycling jacket that offers 360-degree explosive reflectivity, the Stellar glows bright when caught in vehicle headlights for high visibility in low-light conditions. Underarm zips provide venting, a stormflap shields the main zip from rain, plus Velcro cuffs allow for a tight fit around the wrist. Two colour options, in sizes 8-16. n £99.99; freewheel.co.uk

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#1

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NEW E-BIKES HOT TECH

Review: John Kitchiner, Katy Rodda

A first electric model from the purveyors of quality steel city bikes. How do they compare?

WITH A SHOP on Brick Lane and a colourful Instagram feed, chances are many London Cyclist readers already know about Temple Cycles. But, for the uninitiated, it’s a relatively small company that’s been making a name for itself over the last decade for a series of classically-styled, simple, elegant steel bikes — think vintage looks with modern componentry. The sort with understated yet classy finishes, straight from a ‘heritage’ paint chart; the kind of bikes the Famous Five would’ve loved to ride.

More recently Temple expanded its offering with gravel and road models (still all steel), before a first foray into the e-bike world. There’s

currently this model with lowered toptube and the identically-priced Classic Electric (with standard toptube) available. And even though this has obviously meant a switch to aluminium as a frame material, the attention to detail hasn’t been lost. Indeed if it wasn’t for the beefier downtube, in which the battery’s

secreted, you’d be hard pushed to differentiate it from a regular hybrid. The compact mid-drive Bafang motor is similarly unobtrusive, tucked behind the chainring — but don’t be fooled, it still packs 80Nm of torque, more than enough for London and Home Counties’ hills.

We found the handlebar display

TEMPLE CYCLES STEP THROUGH ELECTRIC n £3,395 n templecycles.co.uk

very clear and easy to use (even with gloves on), allowing us to move quickly between five pedal-assist levels. While the base mode is fairly imperceptible, the middle settings are where the bike feels most at home; enough help to support your own pedalling efforts without zipping along too fast and missing the lovely scenery. Pedal harder and the motor gives you more oomph. In our experience the top ‘turbo’ mode is rarely required, though it’ll make mincemeat of Swain’s Lane if you need it to.

In our limited testing period, we only managed short shopping and recreational trips, and only had to charge the battery three times. But it should provide 60km to 120km of

range if you’re careful with mode selection. Worth noting that we didn’t detect any ‘delay’ when shifting between assistance levels either, which we have done on other bikes; it’s highly efficient.

In the awful deluges we faced this winter, we were very pleased to have Shimano hydraulic disc brakes at hand, they just can’t be beaten for foul-weather reliability. Likewise, the Panaracer tyres have a decent tread pattern for ‘all conditions’ cycling, and the integrated lights mean you’re never get caught out. Mudguards and kickstand come as standard too.

Will it tempt Temple diehards? Very likely. It walks that commuting/ adventuring line very neatly.

FACTFILE

n Available in two sizes, small (45cm) and medium (50cm, tested) and we’d say the latter was suitable for those over about 170cm.

n Three colour options: gloss cream, gloss black or gloss racing green.

n Integrated own-brand lights, full mudguards, kickstand and ergonomic grips included.

VERDICT

+ Bafang’s motor is compact but powerful, with smooth ride feel and nippy acceleration.

+ Finish and component choices echo the brand’s stylish (and successful) steel town bikes.

NEW BIKES

Does a simple modern hybrid still offer everything you need for city cycling?

RReview: Kerena Fussell

IDGEBACK IS ONE of the original ‘legacy’ brands of mega UK cycle distributor Madison and, while the first models in the 1980s were mountain bikes, the range now includes everything from ‘all-road’ to touring and expedition to cargobikes. But the brand is perhaps best known around London for its great value hybrids, of which the Speed Open Frame is typical: sturdy, robust, no fuss and with a step-through frame for those not able to (or who don’t want to) lift their legs over a standard top-tube.

We tested it over a period of around six weeks on a variety of rides, from short loops on rough surfaces in Epping Forest to longer

(nearly 30 miles) outings across town, and in a variety of weather conditions. And we had no complaints on either ride quality or how frame and components fared.

The flat handlebars might not suit everybody, but they provide an upright position which is great for city cycling, and ergonomic grips

come as standard. There’s also multiple spacers below the stem to alter the bar height if needed (see page 56). The saddle is fairly wide, particularly good for women, and we’d rate it as very comfortable even on the longer rides. The wide (42c) tyres gave a really smooth ride too, dropping off kerbs easily and

RIDGEBACK SPEED OPEN FRAME n £599.99 n freewheel.co.uk

rolling over the many defects on our streets without worry.

Not everyone will need all 21 of the gears, but when you do hit a steep ascent you’re grateful; the faultless shifting almost made climbs a pleasurable experience! There was a big step between some lower gears, but you quickly get used to it. The bike also includes a chainguard, which helps protect clothing from grease marks.

Something that can get overlooked, as most people prefer their own pedals, but the ones supplied are really useful; wide and grippy enough to allow riders to wear any shoes (including hiking boots), whether for warmth or style. Our feet felt secure even in the wet.

The model name hints at ‘speed’ and we reckon that’s justified. It proved extremely easy to get up a good pace with not too much effort. We rode it regularly on our (11-mile) commute and usually shaved a good five minutes off our regular times.

Several commutes were ridden in pretty heavy rain and the bike still felt stable, with good steering control; the tyre grip on frosty mornings was impressive too, both on road and gravel tracks.

Finally, the pannier rack is a nice bonus for those looking to carry their work gear or do the weekly shop (see page 64 for pannier/bag reviews). A ‘bike of all trades’ is what we’d call this Ridgeback, as it does most things well.

FACTFILE

n Four frame sizes (S to XL) and two colours (grey and purple) available.

n Pannier rack included as standard.

n 21 Shimano gears offer smooth shifting and reliability.

n All components are easily upgraded or replaced at any bike shop.

VERDICT

+ Great bike for commuting, urban riding and trips out of the city on rougher surfaces.

+ As the bike’s aimed at commuting, a better, louder bell would be welcome.

+ Rides well in most weather conditions, including the wet.

BIKE BAGS & PANNIERS

If your bike has mounts for a rear rack, the world of pannier portage is worth exploring, not just for daily commutes but for extended tours...

NOT EVERYONE loves a rucksack, some cyclists prefer to let the bike shoulder the load, large or small. And these days we’re spoilt for choice in pannier and bag types, sizes and designs. Here’s a handful of the latest to consider for all-round use.

#1 ALTURA HERITAGE PANNIERS (40L PAIR)

We loved the vintage look of these waxed canvas panniers and though smaller than the others tested, used singly we found they’re ideal for a day out and not unwieldy off the bike. Each easily held spare jumper, lunch and coffee cup, while the inner pocket was where we stored battery pack and cables. They’re possibly too small if you’re carrying a full change of clothes and laptop, but we loved the top exterior pocket (with removable keyring) which had space for basic tools/puncture kit, or keys and purse; it’s also a handy place to stash hat and gloves. Rixen & Kaul fixings mean they can be attached and removed in seconds.

n £100 per pair (£55 for single 16L pannier); altura.co.uk

#2 CUBE ACID CITY PANNIERS (40L PAIR)

These panniers feel a little larger than 20-litres and so there’s no issue carrying an extra layer or two, plus a small picnic, and there’s a useful

inside pocket for smaller items. The bags aren’t waterproof, instead having a separate raincover secreted in the lid; it works fine but it’s just not as convenient as a completely waterproof outer fabric. Cube’s own-brand fixings proved easy to use, sturdy and bounce-free. Three colour options.

n £139 per pair (£69.95 each); cube.eu

#3 CYCOLOGY BAR BAG

We loved the stylish and eye-catching design of this bag and it comes in five other bold colourways. We found it’s highly waterproof and a perfect size to fit a spare inner tube, tyre levers mini pump, allen keys, door keys and a snack. It attaches to your bars with Velcro straps, which are super secure when riding, even on bumpy surfaces; conversely, they’re very difficult to undo if you’re in a hurry (our only minor gripe). A bungy cord on the front also allows you to stash damp gloves or a windproof jacket/gilet. n £38; cycologygear.co.uk

#4 HUMP 30L PANNIER

Waterproof, highly reflective and simple to mount, the Hump offers most things a commuter could want. The rolltop closure allows you to maximise the 30L capacity for work and can be cinched down by two side straps (also reflective), and there’s an LED light loop for added visibility. The fabric is tarp-like and very robust, but that makes it heavier too. A detachable shoulder strap is a bonus, though there’s grab handles as well. Unlike others here there aren’t any inner pockets, so you need to wrap a laptop to prevent knocking. Having said that, this is a more than adequate bag for most daily needs. Three colour options.

n £49.99 each; freewheel.co.uk

#5 ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER PLUS 23L PANNIER

Sitting in the middle of Ortlieb’s huge pannier range, this new iteration of the Back-Roller combines the brand’s famed practicality and detailing with a very stylish look. The fabric is tactile but completely waterproof, the front pocket makes grabbing a map or guidebook a doddle, plus there’s an internal pocket and laptop sleeve; the strap on the outer pocket is surprisingly easy to open one-handed on the go if grabbing a drink. A variety of inserts for the rack hooks ensure a perfect snug fit, though initial set-up (a one-off job) is fiddly. Thoroughly tested on several very rainy commutes, everything in the bag remained totally dry. Four colours. n £105 each; ortlieb.com

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Hope x Lotus HBT

As the Paris Olympics draw closer, John Kitchiner looks at the bike tech that Team GB will hopefully be deploying to top the medals table again...

WHEN YOU SEE the huge ongoing success of Britain’s female bicycle racers today — across all disciplines — it’s hard to imagine that competing officially wasn’t even an option until after the Second World War! Not until the late 1940s were women ‘allowed’ to race on velodromes and the mid1950s to do likewise on the road. But then, it’s fair to say, that the floodgates well and truly opened.

Beryl Burton is perhaps the best-known early superstar of the sport, winning seven world titles from 1959 to 1966, though professional racing was still three decades away at that point, and women’s cycling wasn’t even introduced at the Olympics until 1984. The Beijing Games of 2008 proved a real landmark moment: Nicole Cooke (road) became the very first British woman to win a gold medal, followed soon after by Victoria Pendleton, Rebecca Romero and Sarah Storey (all track).

Off-road, between 2008 and 2018, Rachel Atherton, Tracey Moseley and Manon Carpenter won seven downhill mountain biking rainbow jerseys. While at Tokyo 2020, BMX riders Charlotte Worthington (freestyle) and Beth Schriever (racing)

both struck gold. It’s on the wooden indoor boards, however, that Team GB has enjoyed unrivalled podium-topping joy, with the likes of Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker and Laura Kenny carrying the torch in recent years, and the latter already being the country’s most decorated female Olympian. So, with the start of Paris 2024 only a few months away, it seems fitting that we take a look at the dream machine that our track athletes will likely be piloting this summer.

Since the lead-up to Tokyo, the team has been riding a Hope-Lotus collaboration (pictured): the Yorkshire-based mtb specialists producing a stunning carbon frame with super wide seatstays and monocoque disc wheels, while the motorsports giant created an equally radical fork. However, over the last few months, the UK Sports Institute has been working inhouse on a new frame, the UKSI-BC1, that looks identical to its predecessor only now made using additive manufacturing, which is a type of 3D printing. The cost of this latest frameset? £55,000 each. Regardless of which model makes the starting line in France, we suspect the medals — and records — will keep rolling in. Allez, allez!

Illustration

Is there any better way to holiday than on a bicycle

2024 Programme

Bike & Hotel fixed centre holidays

FRANCE, Brittany & Normandy June 2024, Portsmouth departure

Cycle through Brittany to the famous Mont St Michel in Normandy crossing back into Brittany to explore this beautiful area.

FRANCE, Heart of The Loire, Autumn Colours, Vineyards & Castles, October 2024

Explore the heart of the Loire, famous for its wine, this central part of the Loire river was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in December 2006 it was chosen for its exceptional cultural landscape of great beauty, historic cities and villages and great architectural monuments.

FRANCE, The Dordogne Valley

September 2024, Portsmouth departure

Explore this beautiful area with breath-taking views looking down onto Rocamdour.

UK, Autumn in the South Downs national park

September 2024

Hampshire is the perfect blend of city, coast & country, explore the rolling hills, ancient woodland, water meadows and the bustling market towns of the South Downs National Park.

Return travel from UK port to your holiday destination for you and your bicycle!

Full Board on all Bike & Boat holidays. Half board on all Bike and Hotel holidays. All entry fees to attractions visited by the group.

Bike & Boat holidays

A moving on holiday with a difference, each day your floating hotel room goes with you so no packing up each day and no luggage to carry these holidays are in Holland.

Green heart of Holland Tulips Cheese & Pottery

April 2024, Harwich departure

See the magnificent floats of the annual Flower parade, cycle through flower fields, taste the cheese. Visit Delft pottery.

Exploring Friesland & Terschelling island (New Tour) July 2024, Harwich departure.

The northern Frisian region reveals the hidden Holland, a tranquil and peaceful place, here, water and land intermingle in a uniquely Dutch way, the unique mudflats of the Wadden sea are on the UNESCO world treasures list.

Explore the castles, towns, villages and windmills of South Holland

August 2024, Newcastle departure

Overnight in Dordrecht the oldest city with a beautiful historic centre Huesden a fortified village, visit 17th century castles. And the quirky witch’s museum and weighbridge in Oudweter.