Bike Across the Borough event 23 June 2011
More than 100 primary school children were the first to test out the new 2012 Hackney Parks Walking and Cycling Route on 23 June, as they celebrated national Bike Week with a mass ride.
The 'Bike Across the Borough' event was organised by the Council and The Learning Trust, and saw children cycling the six-mile route from Finsbury Park to the Olympic Park.
Starting at Parkwood Primary School, N4, the ride followed the new 2012 route through Clissold Park, Hackney Downs and Well Street Common, with more schools joining on the way. The ride ended at social enterprise and community venue, the View Tube, which overlooks the Olympic Park.
Students, school staff and cycling instructors then headed to Well Street Common in time for lunch, where they listened to Olympic medallist and long-time GB cycling team member, Bryan Steel, and competed in a static bike race put on by British Cycling.
Bryan said: "Cycling all the way across a built up area, seeing such a large group of young people on bikes, and seeing the Olympic Park for the first time was great. It's going to be a moment in my life I'll remember forever."
The ride was a chance for students to practice on-road cycling skills learned this year through national standards cycle training, while experiencing how easy and fun it is to get across the borough by bike.
The new route was funded by the Olympic Delivery Authority with support from Transport for London, and put in place by the Council. Travelling to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by foot or by bike will be much easier thanks to the new route, and it will leave a lasting legacy.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "It was great to see so many young people taking part. Having the event on World Olympic Day was a perfect way for our young residents to celebrate the new walking and cycling route our borough has gained as a result of being a host for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I look forward to seeing many people using the new route during, before and after the Games, and would love to see Bike Across the Borough become an annual event."
Steve Belk, Acting Chief Executive of The Learning Trust, added: "We hope that after their experience at this event more children will feel confident about cycling to school, and parents will feel encouraged to leave the car at home. Cycling to school helps children to be healthier, happier and more alert for lessons."
Page updated: 4 Jul 2011
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