From Aldgate, travelling east as far as the bow flyover approach there will be an advisory cycle lane. Advisory because I am told that it easier to put an advisory anything in place first, then change advisory into mandatory. The quality and width of this lane will vary throughout its distance but it should be continuous, well, sort of, interrupted only by bus stops and hundreds of red route parking bays.

Travelling west there will be a bus lane for most of the distance providing some protection for cyclists, we are told that there is not room for a cycle lane here as well as the bus provision.

Although this road runs through the borough it is, according to LBTH administered by the 'Traffic Director for London', and it is up to Derek Turner, for it is he, wether we get our advisory/mandatory cycle lane or not. But the borough are convinced of the validity of our argument, a small victory in itself.

At the Aldgate gyratory speedway system, things look better but are far from 'green', not even rosy. There will be advanced stop lines where the MER meets this junction, another where the Commercial Road intersects and a new pedestrian crossing with advanced stop line above Leman Street. The current pedestrian underpasses are to be filled in and all future pedestrian movement will be on the surface. this action will also help to reduce motor vehicle speed on the gyratory.

On the plans I saw there was no improvements to the north side of this circuit, and the borough engineers were at a loss to suggest anything. My comment was to remove the gyratory altogether and turn the north side here back into two directional travel. Not as stupid a suggestion as it sounds, as Islington have given the go-ahead for a similar exercise in Shorditch High Street and Old Street as reported here some weeks ago. This was in part because Islington found that new businesses would not move to the area until the companies interested in leasing space could be sure of not having their staff killed by six lanes of roaring traffic. If Tower Hamlets want some direction on how to improve the scruffy disaster area around Aldgate they need not look further than our friends to the north.

There is sadly a lot of rubbish being spoken about traffic reduction by the government and local authorities at present. I will say that in my experience as borough co-ordinator over the last five or so years, that absolutely nothing has changed in government attitude toward motor vehicle traffic reduction. Lots of well intentioned speeches, but no real action.

Challengers from all over the East End, including MP Jim Fitzpatrick riding his own mountain bike, travelled the two mile route in a variety of ways, all trying to be the first to deliver their precious cargo. Competitors used solo cycles, Bangladeshi and Vietnamese rickshaws, public transport and pied-power.

Overall this year's winner was Oscar, who was also lasts years champion, covering the route in 12 minutes. Drew Jones, a Newham LCC member, followed closely behind taking 12.43 minutes, and Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Hon Member for Canning Town and Poplar, didn't let the house down and achieved a very respectable 3rd place in only 13.05 minutes.

Nigel Winfield's three tricycles all arrived within 3 minutes of each other. First was a Christiana trike ridden by one of Wheeler's workshop managers Ian Hastings, taking only 20 minutes - hampered by the 150kg of his family shopping being carried. Two pedestrians taking part, including Wheelers member Rowena Alsey, took only thirty five minutes each to walk the route. The fastest motor car driven by Mel took 16 minutes. Prizes of golden biegals were awarded for the first place in each category, with the winning cyclist also collecting a special biegal wreath and a cheque for #65.00's worth of bicycle accessories, generously donated by Bicycle Magic of Whitechapel Road.

In the incident, which came to court in January 99, several witnesses testified, that the motorist passed within inches of the two cyclists. When they made an obscene gesture at him, he stopped his vehicle, and threaten them with a stick. As he drove off, Lance Armstrong threw a rock at the truck, which immediately made a U-turn, and speeded towards the two cyclists, one of which saved himself by heading up a driveway. Lance Armstrong dived into a ditch and flipped over his handlebar. He only suffered minor bruises.

The driver was convicted of aggravated assault - and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The verdict was probably influenced by the fact, that the motorist was out on bail, and had previously been convicted of battering and raping his former wife. (ep)

As part of the National Bike Week celebrations you are all welcome to join us at Limehouse Youth Centre, Limehouse Causeway on Bike To Work Day, and have a free nosh up courtesy of the borough. Get your machine checked over by our Dr Bike and have a chance to meet your representatives at the LBTH transport team. Naturally, members from Tower Hamlets Wheelers will be on hand to chat, as well as eat. This event is organised by Tower Hamlets Employees Bicycle users group and Tower Hamlets Street services dept.

Details: Matthew Hill 0171 364 6707.

This is a result of Wheelers constant badgering of the borough and, it should be said, co-operation between us and the borough Planning and Environment dept.