Cycle protest

Combine promotion of cycling with urging the USA to take immediate action on climate change.
Although bicycle sales rose seventeen fold after the tube bombings cycling in London has nowhere near reached the level at which it could make any impression on the terrible contribution London makes to global warming. So join the cycle protest from Lincoln's Inn Fields to Grosvenor Square. Nearly 200 groups have been contacted about this ride, including as many local political party and cycle groups as possible. There were 50 riders on the first ride, and 200 for the Dec 3rd 2005 9 mile ride from the Thames Barrier as part of the last Climate Change International Day of Action. So please try and join us and make it a good deal bigger this time. Make a whole day of it; bike ride, concert, march and rally, The issue's worth it!

Itinerary

10.00am     Assemble South Side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields
Leave very soon after 10am to cycle via Australia House, Aldwych, for five minute protest calling on Australia to sign up to International action on Climate Change. Then cycle via Downing Street, where a letter will be handed in calling for an effective timetable of intent for UK's action on global warming.

11.30am     Arrival at US Embassy, Grosvenor Square
for musical protest and rally, followed by march to Trafalgar square culminating in "I-Count" Mass Gathering there.

The Route
From Lincoln's Inn Fields, along Sardinia Street, turn left into Kingsway, bearing left down slight incline into Aldwych. Turn right into the Strand (after short stop at Australia House on the corner). Turn left into Lancaster Place, over Waterloo Bridge, then take sharp180 degree turn (before IMAX roundabout) down towards south bank. Turn left into Belvedere Road, and then left to Chicheley Street. Turn right into Addington Street, round the demolition site roundabout and up slight incline over Westminster Bridge. Turn left into Parliament Square and thence up Whitehall,(with short stop at Downing Street),up to Trafalgar Square. From here go up St Martins Place to Charing Cross Road, then turn left into Oxford Street and along to left turn into North Audley Street and so to Grosvenor Square.

How to get there
Lincoln's Inn Fields is situated close to Holborn Kingsway, about one mile south east of Euston and Kings Cross main line stations, less than one mile north of Waterloo Station (over Waterloo Bridge & round Aldwych into Kingsway), and half a mile east of Charing Cross Station (up the Strand to Aldwych and up Kingsway). Please do not bring bikes by car (there is no car parking anyway).

Nature of the Ride
The ride is essentially flat, just over 4 miles long and will be cycled at an average speed of about 5 miles per hour. Cycle Maintenance is up to each rider. There are no bike shops on the route, but Cycle Surgery on Procter Street just off High Holborn by Holborn Tube is close to the start in Lincoln's Inn Fields. There are public toilets at the east side of Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Parking Bikes
At Grosvenor Square cycle parking will be limited. Cyclists can either keep their bikes with them or they can be parked beyond the rally site. At Trafalgar Square no bikes can be brought into the square itself, but Westminster Council is providing cycle parking for 300 bikes in Whitehall Place (see map), which is the third turning on the left off Whitehall. They have stipulated though that no bags can be left on bikes, and bikes must be removed by 4.15pm.

For those who wish to park their bikes before reaching Trafalgar Square there are 31 bike parking bars in Berkeley Square which is about ten minutes into the march from Grosvenor Square. That means that if they are not already in use there is space there for 62 bikes.There is also ample space on the Berkeley Square railings which do not seem to have any cycle parking prohibited notices on them.

Information
For information on the ride contact Simon (who is navigating) on 07986904748

For information on Campaign Against Climate Change call 0207 549 0395 or 07903316331

Help promote this cycle ride
(give a few flyers to your local bike shop please)
To download the flyer click here .