We ran a special ride to get cyclists to the new London Cycling Festival. The festival was introduced by London Cycling Campaign as a replacement for the annual Freecycle event. Freecycle was part of Ride London and Southwark Cyclists had led groups to that event in previous years. The Cycling Festival was very different in concept and scope but the aim was the same – to provide an opportunity for any cyclist, regular or irregular, old or young, to come together and celebrate just riding a bike for fun.

Large scale road closures in Central London were not possible so a festival based on local nitiatives was organised borough by borough. Southwark Cyclists did not have the rsupuort to do anything in the borough. Instead we did aa led ride, very like previous Freecycle rides, to the festival site in the City. This was at the Guildhall so we could use the same route as for Freecycle. We rcruited a group of 5 marshals and publicised the led ride on events listings and with a few posters at start and pick-up locations. Registration was on the LCC Rides Listing.

On the 25th we had 19 riders registered. At 10am at the start point, The Round Cafe in Peckham Rye Park, only about 8 peole showed up, almost outnumbered by the marshals. At Peckham Square there was no-ne, but at Burgess Park we collected aabout 18 people. Our gtoup, now bout 30 including leader and marshals, made our way across Southwrk Bridge and up to the Guildhall.

In the large courtyard were several stalls and lots of adapted bikes to try, but overall fairly quiet. We were welcomed by LCC staff and a group photo taken. After discussion it was decided to lead anyone wantng to to the nearby Hackney Cyclists event in Hoxton. A group of about 15 headed north on mostly cycleway and crossed Old St to Pitfield St. Pitfield St was part of a 2km circuit of closed road with marshals at every intersection. We stopped briefly at Shoreditch Park where there was a Dr Bike. Continued into Hoxton St and stopped at Hoxton Market. This wide space ws full of yongsters ridng various funny bikes and had several stands. Also some good Cafes. We all split up with a meet up return time and place organised. Had an excellent panini sitting in the sunshine. At 1pm the roads re-opened and we headed back to The Guildhall. This was now much busier than at 11am when we first arrived. Several groups were standing around and chatting. Spotted and talked with a few acquaintances from other goups.

We had pre-arrnged to have a led ride back to Southwark at 2pm. Jane arrived to help with the ruturn ride but no-one turned up. So everyone had made there own journey back, a not unexpected situation as this had even happened with Freecycle when larger numbers were involved.

People enjoyed the outing and there were a few on our rides who were not regulars on the Healthy Rides. It did not feel like Freecycle. The numbers lower, few new faces, not the same buzz. Even in Hoxton where Hackney Cyclists nad the Council had made a ig effort, it was quiet. Is there scope to build on this new event? Could one build a borough-based event that would encourage more cycling and help promote cycling. This first festival certainly has that potential. Will be imtersting to hear how much support there was in boroughs across London.

Big thankyou to Angelina, David, Werner, Eduardo, Jamie and Jane for marshalling.

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