London gets ready for Sky Ride

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, was joined by Kelly Brook to launch the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride and unveil details of the 11.6km (7.2mile) city centre route that will allow tens of thousands of cyclists to enjoy the iconic sights of the capital on traffic-free streets on Sunday 4th September.

The free event, organised by the Mayor of London, Sky and British Cycling in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), will give people of all ages and abilities the chance to take to two wheels in a safe environment and cycle through the heart of central London with friends and family.

The circular route of the capital will bring cyclists closer to the London Eye than ever before, running across Westminster Bridge, before looping back up past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, up the Mall, out onto Trafalgar Square, down through Whitehall and out onto the river views of The Embankment. The route also passes St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London and London Bridge.

The route will be traffic-free from 9.30am to 4.30pm allowing participants to take part in the ride at their own pace and enjoy some of the exciting entertainment en route. Last year the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride saw over 85,000 people dust down their bicycles and take to the streets to enjoy a day of brilliant bike-based entertainment.

The event is a major part of the Mayor's cycling revolution, a plan to get Londoners cycling which includes the Barclay's Ccycle Superhighways, Barclay's Cycle Hire and investment in cycle infrastructure, training and education. In addition, the Mayor has provided funds to promote 'biking boroughs' which include Hillingdon and Barking & Dagenham – also hosting local Sky Rides this summer.

Joining the cyclists on the day will be actress and model Kelly Brook and multiple world and Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy.

Sky Ride is a national campaign to get one million people cycling regularly by 2013. The campaign includes free events, activities, information and support to help and inspire people of all ages and abilities to re-discover the fun they can have on two wheels.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “London's fantastic Sky Ride is going from strength to strength, helping people of all ages and experience to enjoy the capital's most iconic sights on two wheels. I urge people to dust off their saddles for this free and family-friendly event to enjoy whizzing through the city on traffic-free roads. This is a key part of my cycling revolution which aims to make London a cycle-friendly city, encouraging more and more people that pedal power is the way forward.”

Sky Ride ambassador, model and actress Kelly Brook, who is attending the event, said: “Cycling is a fun way to spend time with friends and keep in shape. This will be my third year supporting the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride and I can’t wait for the 4th September to come around. It’s such a fantastic way to get out on your bike and enjoy the sights of the capital in your own time, with friends or family. Plus there's loads of stuff going on throughout the day to enjoy on and off your bike. So what are you waiting for? Come down and join me for a fun-packed family day out!”

Londoners are also in with a chance of winning a bike by submitting their favourite hill to cycle down in the capital. The nationwide search for the Perfect Hill will ask entrants to nominate their favourite hill on two wheels, taking in to consideration location, view, where the hill takes them, historical resonance and most importantly what the hill means to them.