Cycling in London - Regular Events

Regular Events

• Mayor of London's Sky Ride: an annual event launched as London Freewheel in September 2007, for which certain roads in central London are closed to motor vehicles for several hours on a Sunday. On 10 August 2012 it was announced that the 2013 Skyride would be re-branded as 'RideLondon', a two-day 'World-class festival of cycling'. The event will incorporate an 8-mile 'Freecycle' event, 'Aimed at cyclists of all ages and abilities' on closed roads, as well as a 100-mile ride and a 'Grand Prix' event for professional cyclists. The 8-mile event on closed, flat London roads requires helmets to be worn.

• Critical Mass, which leaves the National Film Theatre on the South Bank around 7.00pm on the last Friday of each month

• World Naked Bike Ride, held annually in 70 cities in 20 countries, including London every June since 2004,

• Bike Week, an annual UK celebration of cycling with many local events in June

• London to Brighton ride for charity each summer; about 30,000 cyclists take part

• London to Paris rides for various charities

• Dunwich Dynamo, annual midsummer overnight ride to Suffolk since 1993

• London Cycling Awards: the London Cycling Campaign celebrates some of the best improvements for cyclists each year with the London Cycling Awards. 2008 winners included cycle parking at Frampton Park Estate in Hackney and at Shadwell DLR station; Kingston Council and Metropolitan Police for the Recycling Bikes Back Into The Community scheme; Newham University Hospital NHS Trust for the Well at Work project; STA Bikes and Hackney Council for Family Cycle Clubs; and Jenny Jones for services to cycling.

• Tweed Run, an annual ride inaugurated in 2009 where the participants recreate the early years of British cycling by wearing tweed and other period clothing and by riding vintage bicycles.