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Print articleHe was joined by Konnie Huq, Blue Peter presenter, who became the first person to sign up for the ride.
The Hovis London Freewheel - sponsored by Hovis - will take place on Sunday 23 September and is aimed at cyclists of every age and ability. A 14km (8.6 miles) central London route will be made traffic-free allowing thousands of riders to take over the streets and enjoy the capital's most iconic sights including the London Eye, Victoria Embankment, Westminster and St Paul's Cathedral and the Mall. The route will be open from 11am to 4pm and will be signposted and marshalled.
The Mayor and Transport for London want the Hovis London Freewheel to encourage more Londoners to cycle in the capital. The number of cyclists on London's major roads has grown by a massive 83 per cent over the past seven years, but the Mayor wants to increase this even further. It is estimated that 40 per cent of Londoners have access to a bike, but only five per cent use one regularly.
The Hovis London Freewheel is designed to help people ride from their front door into central London and home again. There will be six 'Freewheel Hubs' across London (Gladstone Park, Finsbury Park, Victoria Park, Peckham Rye, Clapham Common and Ravenscourt Park) where riders can gather to be led by experienced cyclists onto the vehicle-free route. The hubs will also offer the chance to have bikes checked by experts.
Even if you don't have your own bike, you can hire one. The TfL website has a page that lists bike shops in London, where you can hire a bike for the day.
Hovis London Freewheelers will also be able to take part in the Freewheel Festival - an event at St James's Park open to all participants and their family and friends. Highlights of the festival will include: a Hovis picnic, BMX, mountain and trial bike stunts, cycling acrobatics, and a cycling circus along with children's activities and information on cycling in London.
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:
?2007 is a massive year for cycling in London. When the Tour De France arrives in two weeks time, we will see the world's top professional cyclists speeding around the streets of capital. This September, the Hovis London Freewheel will give Londoners a unique opportunity to have a go themselves and cycle past the capital's most iconic sights on roads without other traffic. The event will be a free, fun celebration of cycling aimed at everyone particularly those people who have a bike but haven't ridden for a while.
?We want the Hovis London Freewheel to further fuel London's renaissance as a cycle city. Record investment in training and facilities has seen cycling soar by 83 per cent since 2000 ? more than any other city in Europe.
?Cycling is good for you and good for the environment. Having taken part in the Hovis London Freewheel, I hope people will find that cycling regularly in London is easier than they thought.?
Tim Dewey, Hovis Divisional Director of marketing, said:
?We are delighted to be working with the Mayor to help bring this exciting cycling event to London. At Hovis we believe in the power of good food and good activity. Hovis has for many years had associations with cycling and is proud to continue this tradition.?
Jenny Jones, Green Party member of the London Assembly, said:
?In London's year of the bike, this will be the best day of all, the day when cyclists take over central London. This will be the day when London cyclists get safety in numbers and can ride around car free roads, enjoying all the sights. We want everyone to get those old bikes out of sheds and basements and to celebrate the future of travel in London. It will be a very liberating experience and I urge everyone to take part, so that this becomes a successful event.?
Konnie Huq, said:
?I am thrilled to be part of the first Hovis London Freewheel. Cycling is fun, gets you fit and is a great way to travel around London. I hope this event encourages more people to take to two wheels.?
Registration in advance is required for the event at www.londonfreewheel.com. Places will be limited, so people are encouraged to sign up soon in order to receive exclusive email updates and a welcome pack.
