Record numbers delight in freedom to cycle at Mayor of London’s Sky Ride

Boris Johnson was joined by Sir Chris Hoy, Kelly Brook and tens of thousands of Londoners as the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride returned to the capital.

Around 85,000 people today joined Boris Johnson and stars from the worlds of cycling and television at the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride.  They enjoyed a day of entertainment with friends and family in the traffic-free, city centre streets of the capital.

The Mayor of London’s Sky Ride was organised by the Mayor of London in partnership with Sky. The central London event was the third in the capital this year following two events earlier this summer in Ealing and Redbridge.

Cyclists of all ages and abilities took to the streets of London with friends and family to take part in the biggest mass participation cycling event ever held in the UK. They were joined by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, model and actress Kelly Brook, four-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, and riders from Team Sky, Britain’s new professional road cycling team including Serge Pauwels, CJ Sutton, Morris Possoni, Davide Vigano and Edvald Boasson Hagen.

The new and extended 15km route took in more of the capital’s most iconic landmarks than ever before weaving around iconic sights from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace via the City of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. This year for the first time the route also took riders through Parliament Square passing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The Mayor of London’s Sky Ride is part of a series of initiatives in the capital during what the Mayor has dubbed London’s ‘Year of Cycling’, including Transport for London’s delivery of landmark cycle superhighways and cycle hire projects.

The Mayor of London, Boris 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 are bringing a cycle revolution to the streets of the capital and I am sure that today we persuaded thousands more Londoners that pedal power is the way to go.”

Sky Ride ambassador Kelly Brook said: “Having taken part in the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride last year, it was hard to believe how this year could have been bigger or better but today has been fantastic. It’s been amazing to see families on their bikes having fun together, exploring London in a unique way with a range of amazing entertainment along the way. All this and getting to cycle next to Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy!”

Four-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy commented: “Seeing the Capital’s streets traffic-free with so many people enjoying a day out cycling together is a great experience for everybody. Getting the opportunity to cycle past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament was something extra special, this was my third year at the London event and every year so far has topped the last. The best part of these events is that it doesn't matter if you're a novice or a more experienced rider they have something for all ages and abilities. I’m hoping that everyone who took part will continue to cycle and enjoy all the fun and benefits it brings.”

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive said: “It’s been really inspiring to see so many people, old and young, and of all abilities, out on their bikes enjoying themselves. The Mayor of London’s Sky Ride has been a big event over the last two years but the turn out today has been fantastic and I hope this ride, along with all the others this summer, will motivate people to get back on their bikes, cycling regularly.”

As well as giving people the opportunity to re-discover and see their city in a new light, participants were able to take part in a number of exciting activities and fun entertainment taking place along the route and in the Sky Ride Entertainment Village in St James’s Park.

Riders enjoyed performances from local bands, games of Bicycle Bingo and were able to take part in a Wacky Riders fancy dress parade. There was something on hand for everyone to enjoy from celebrity interviews and a 3D Cycle Cinemax experience to Gilbert and Sullivan Street Theatre and cycling tips from British Cycling. 

To keep everyone hydrated throughout the day, there were Gatorade Hydration Stations dotted around the route giving out free drinks. Evans Cycles ensured participant’s bikes were in tip top shape to manoeuvre around the traffic free streets, whilst an adidas shop sold Team Sky kit, cycling tops and souvenir Sky Ride t-shirts.

There was also plenty of entertainment for young people including a Go-Ride obstacle course where participants tested their cycling skills and received tips and advice from British Cycling staff.

People in the region inspired by this event can also get involved in Sky Ride Local rides, which run every Sunday through to October in and around London.

They will be led by fully trained cycle leaders from British Cycling and will take in everything from the countryside and local sights, to historical and art tours.

Riders can pick a level to suit their age and ability and will be given a hi-visibility vest to keep. For full details on the next Sky Ride Local in your area please visit www.goskyride.com.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Images from Mayor of London's Sky Ride 2010 are available here: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greaterlondonauthority/sets/72157624890606832/

Sponsors

Evans

Evans Cycles is the Official Cycle Retail Partner for Sky Ride and is committed to help support the efforts of all of the partners and supporters to get 1 million more people cycling regularly by 2013.

Having a bike that is in good working order is a very important part of enjoying your day out and Evans Cycles fully trained mechanics and staff will be on hand at Sky Ride in case there are any problems with your bike.  To help you further we have created a guide to bike maintenance and setup that you can see on goskyride.com or at evanscycles.com/goskyride.

With over 40 stores throughout the UK, evanscycles.com and our mail order team, we are the UK’s largest quality cycle retailer and stock the widest range of products and brands. We are deeply passionate about cycling in all its forms and our friendly staff will be happy to help out with all aspects of cycling.

Gatorade

Gatorade is proud to support Sky Ride and will be handing out free 500ml retail bottles (not bike bottles, so please still bring your own) to riders of all ages; ensuring they are fuelled to enjoy the ride.

Gatorade is backed by 40 years of research and is scientifically formulated to rehydrate, replenish and refuel the body when it needs it most. Gatorade contains no artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours or preservatives, comes in three great tasting flavours for the UK (orange, lemon and blackcurrant) and is available from most major supermarkets, convenience stores and leading gym chains.

adidas

adidas is proud to sponsor both Sky Ride and Team Sky and to be supporting cycling throughout all levels of the sport. Through these partnerships adidas hope to inspire the public to either return to cycling or take up the sport.

adidas strives to be the leading sports brand in the world and continues to innovate. It is through cutting edge technology incorporated into our products that athletes set records and personal bests. Impossible Is Nothing. www.adidas.com  

British Cycling

British Cycling is home to the Great Britain Cycling Team and represents Britain's most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport. British Cycling governs all cycling disciplines and together with British Sky Broadcasting, its principal partner, has a shared aim of getting one million more people cycling regularly by 2013. In 2008 the Great Britain Cycling Team brought home 34 medals from the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, prompting a new wave of interest in cycling and focusing the nation's hopes on London 2012. British Cycling is funded by UK Sport and Sport England.

Young people are encouraged to get on their bikes this year through Go Ride, British Cycling's development programme which has nurtured the young talents of Olympic champions Ed Clancy and Jason Kenny. There is also Go Ride Racing for more confident young riders, a national entry level competition programme that bridges the gap between school and club based coaching sessions and racing. This summer young people and their families can also take part in a series of led-rides hosted at schools across the UK as part of the Sky Ride Schools programme.

Sky Rainforest Rescue

Sky Rainforest Rescue is a three year partnership between Sky and WWF to help save one billion trees in the Amazon state of Acre, northwest Brazil.  Sky and WWF are working with the Acre state government and local communities to look after the rainforests, encouraging them to conserve trees rather than chop them down; offering incentives for the sustainable use of the forest; working to increase market opportunities for sustainable forest products (like rubber) and protecting the forest by tackling the causes of deforestation.  This summer the Sky Rainforest Rescue Pod has been installed at various Sky Ride events around the country so that young people and their families can learn about the people of the Amazon, their culture and livelihoods, and the threat that deforestation poses for current and future generations.

There are lots of ways for people to support Sky Rainforest Rescue.  For just £3 a month you can sponsor an acre of forest or adopt a jaguar.  Alternatively, a donation of £20 will help save 1,000 tress. For more information visit: www.sky.com/rainforestrescue

WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.