CYCLISTS GET FREEDOM OF THE CAPITAL AT FREEWHEEL CARNIVAL

• Tuesday, 16 September 2008
• Keith Bingham
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The second annual London Freewheel this Sunday (September 21) aims to build on the outstanding success of last year’s cycling carnival when an estimated 60,000 riders roamed the traffic-free roads of the capital.

This year’s event, sponsored by Sky Sports and promoted by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Transport for London (TfL), hopes get even more Londoners onto bikes.

“The number of cycle journeys made on London’s major roads has surpassed 500,000 a day, that’s a 91 per cent increase since 2000,” say TfL.

Roads normally nose to tail with roaring traffic will become the domain of the bike, enabling cyclists of all abilities to enjoy the iconic sights of the Capital.

Much of the route follows the 14-kilometre lap of the recent Tour of Britain and takes riders along the Embankment between Westminster and Whitehall to turn at Tower Hill.
On Sunday, the closed road order will extend into St James Park, The Mall, Birdcage Walk, and Buckingham Palace.
St James Park and The Mall will be the main rendezvous point.

London Cycling Campaign will once again provide cycling guides to lead rides in from 25 of the outlying boroughs. All will thread London’s streets to join the route at various entry points (“hubs”).

For starting points, check the LCC website:
www.lcc.org.uk/
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