Thousands take part in Mayor of London's Sky Ride

Biggest mass participation cycling event ever held in UK

Sky Ride

Published: September 6, 2010 at 10:35 am

Some 85,000 people joined Boris Johnson for his Mayor of London’s Sky Ride at the weekend, according to the mayor's office.

They included Olympic cycling star Sir Chris Hoy, actress/model Kelly Brook and pro riders from Team Sky, including Serge Pauwels, CJ Sutton, Morris Possoni, Davide Vigano and Edvald Boasson Hagen.

The central London ride is being hailed as the biggest mass participation cycling event ever held in the UK. Cyclists of all ages and abilities rode along a 15km route past landmarks including the Tower of London, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace on traffic-free streets.

Entertainment was laid on along the route, including live bands, bicycle bingo, Gilbert and Sullivan Street Theatre, riding tips from British Cycling and a Wacky Riders fancy dress parade.

Johnson said: “The sight of hordes of cyclists pedalling their way along traffic-free roads past some of London’s most glorious landmarks, and in the midst of a truly carnival atmosphere, brought joy to my heart. We're bringing a cycle revolution to the streets of the capital and I'm sure that today we persuaded thousands more Londoners that pedal power is the way to go.”

The Mayor of London’s Sky Ride was organised in partnership with Sky, and followed events in Ealing and Redbridge earlier this summer. For details of other Sky Rides, visit www.goskyride.com.