Mayor announces London Sky Rides

The Mayor of London has invited cyclists in the capital and beyond to take part in two mass bike riding events being organised this summer. And he’s also detailed how significant funding for cycling improvements will be split across London’s 13 ‘biking boroughs’.

Thousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities are expected to take part in the Mayor of London Sky Ride events taking place in Hillingdon on 31st July and in Barking & Dagenham on 21st August. These events build on the success of the last two years, which have seen fun, traffic-free events taking place in Hounslow, Ealing and Redbridge.

Cyclists in Barking & Dagenham and Hillingdon were also able to celebrate the news that their boroughs were among 13 to receive significant funding for cycling improvements. Earlier this year they bid from a fund of £4million to be invested to help London's 13 biking boroughs create better cycle infrastructure and make cycling safer for local communities.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “My cycling revolution continues and I am determined to help more residents of outer London to take to two wheels. In the last year alone we have seen a 15% increase in the number of cyclists using Transport for London's roads. But my traffic free Sky Ride events provide a fantastic opportunity for new cyclists to get on a bike. Additionally the funding I am committing to the biking boroughs will enable them to make the physical improvements that will make cycling safer and more convenient for local people.”

Sky's Director of Cycling, Corin Dimopoulos, said: “The Mayor of London Sky Ride events have been a huge success over the past two years both in the outer boroughs and centre of the capital, so we’re thrilled to be confirming the dates for Hillingdon and Barking and Dagenham today, to kick start year three. It’s through these fantastic events and great partnerships with the Mayor of London, the borough councils and British Cycling, that we continue to build towards our aim of getting one million people cycling regularly by the end of 2013.”

Research has shown that more than half of the daily journeys in the capital that could be made by bicycle are in outer London. That’s an impressive total of 2.4 million journeys, the majority of which are currently made by car. Investing in cycling has a direct benefit on the local environment, the economy and the health of Londoners. The Mayor hopes the focus, investment and energy he’s put into encouraging people to take to two wheels will result in more people who live in the outer boroughs switching from petrol to pedal power.