Cycling for Change

This weekend, London and Edinburgh both saw unprecedented numbers of cyclists and supporters turn out to ask for better, safer cycling facilities.

(photo: ibikelondon, on Flickr)

In London, the London Cycle Campaign’s “Love London, Go Dutch” Big Ride was supported by around 10,000 cyclists, using closed roads in some of the capitals most intimidating cycling hotspots – Piccadilly, Hype Park Corner, Trafalgar Square, and Parliament Square. (See ibikelondon for more images from the day.) In Edinburgh, 'Pedal on Parliament' gathered 3,000 to ask the Scottish Parliament to improve its cycling ambitions. 

The Cycling Embassy of Great Britain wholeheartedly supports the aims of both rides, and the huge numbers who turned out to pressure our politicians for better, broader provision for cycling.

With the key LCC 'Love London, Go Dutch' campaign now endorsed by all four main candidates, we hope that London is about to enter a new era of transport planning that will support a whole range of Government goals: from a happier, healthier population, to reducing the billions wasted each year waiting in traffic jams, and reducing deaths from forcing vulnerable road users – whether pedestrians or cyclists – to share space with cars, lorries and buses. We hope to see Scotland's politicians following London's lead with cross-party support for the Pedal on Parliament manifesto.

Both the London and the Edinburgh event demonstrates that a common theme echoes throughout the UK - cyclists want change, and they want change which will benefit everyone. The Cycling Embassy of Great Britain is proud to be part of this movement, and will carry on working with organisations across the UK to achieve our common goals. 

(photo: rogerhyam, on flickr)