Tower Hamlets Wheelers
NEWS RELEASE 18 February 2003
For immediate release
Ref THW06CCBanner180203
'Cycle for FREE!' giant congestion charge banner hung from Mile End's Green
Bridge by local cycle campaign group
A giant banner stating 'Cycle for FREE!' was unveiled from the top of the
Millennium Green Bridge over Mile End Road, E3 on Monday 17th February at
06:30 a.m. by the Tower Hamlets Wheelers (1), to coincide with the start of
the central London congestion charge at 7 a.m.
It was totally safe and was on show until 10 a.m. when the Wheelers took it
down.
Pictures can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/media/cycle_for_free/ and more are on their way on CD.
The Mile End Road leads into Aldgate and the congestion charging zone and
the banner was promoting cycling to motorists who have to pay the charge.
BBC London TV news filmed our activities, which included cracking open
champagne to celebrate the start of the charge.
Wheelers Co-ordinator Owen Pearson says:
"The congestion charge is good for cyclists because it reduces the amount of
motorised traffic on the roads, which is the single biggest fear that puts
off potential cyclists from getting on their bikes.
Cycling is good for your health, causes no air pollution and reduces
congestion. It's good for London and good for you!"
At 8:20 a.m. the Wheelers 'bicycling bus' service departed from Mile
End Tube station, escorting on their bikes Tube users fed up with Central
Line failure and motorists who wish to avoid paying the congestion charge.
Wheelers were joined by Newham London Cycling Campaign who started their
'bicycling bus replacement service' from Stratford and Redbridge LCC who
start from Wanstead station.
The 'bus' convoy reached the edge of the congestion charge zone at 8:35
a.m. where the Wheelers cracked open more champagne and raised a toast to
the congestion charge cameras.
On no occasion were any of the cyclists inebriated by alcohol!
ENDS
For more information please contact
Alix Stredwick home: 020 8880 6873 mobile: 07903 606 330
Notes
(1) The Tower Hamlets Wheelers is the local cycle action group in the east
London Borough of Tower Hamlets (the East End), campaigning for better
cycling facilities and encouraging more people to cycle Ð for health, the
environment and for London. The Wheelers are affiliated to the London
Cycling Campaign, the largest urban cycling campaign in the world.
(2) The Green Bridge is right next to Mile End tube station, at the junction
with Burdett Road and Grove Road. It was built using lottery money to
celebrate the millennium, and it has won awards for innovation. The concept
came from local people who wished to unite the two parts of Mile End Park
dissected by the massive Mile End Road.
Tower Hamlets Wheelers
wheelers@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
|