Wheelers Tube's Broke 'Bicycle Bus'

February 2003

As the Central Line was out of action and the congestion charge started, the Wheelers took the opportunity to promote cycling as the best way to get about town.

Our 'cycle convoy' in the form of a 'bicycling bus' came to the aid of suffering commuters who were forced on to packed, achingly slow replacement buses and less convenient tube lines after the derailment of a train at Chancery Lane on 25 January put a halt to all Central Line services.

During February the Wheelers convoy offered an alternative 'crush free' route all the way to Marble Arch, guiding new cyclists along a quiet route passing each Central Line station.

Our efforts and success with the media when we ran the convoy during tube strikes in the autumn - plus hard work leafleting District Line users of Mile End tube station - paid off this time when several new cyclists joined us!

Angela, a first time cyclist borrowing her cousin's mountain bike, was a total star and full of humour all the way. "Thank you for being a true inspiration for getting me on a bike!" she enthused. "I wouldn't have attempted the journey if it wasn't for you. I'm thinking about taking the scissors to my travelcard."

George Okunega (left) was also not put off by the rain and joined the convoy at Wanstead where Redbridge LCC started the service. "I haven't ridden a bike for 15 years!" George panted as he met us at Mile End. His colleague Martin Harris (Wheelers member) had given him advice on lights to buy and clothes to wear. Afterwards George told us that he really enjoyed it and "I'll be riding in again."

The convoy was also a big publicity hit with both local and national media. Media officer Alix featured on a prerecord for BBC Radio London (LDN) and live on BBC Radio Sunrise Radio 1458 am, the largest independent Asian station. Even more impressively they both appeared nationally in the Daily Mirror! How we grinned when we found out that new cyclist Lucy joined us to check out quiet routes after she heard us on the radio!

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who was involved - especially Ken who helped every day, Newham and Redbridge LCC, plus all the others who joined us.

Colin Waters & Alix Stredwick

The above article first appeared in the March 2003 issue of the Wheelers East London Cycling newsletter.

• More photos from the 'bus' rides.

• 4 February 2003 Press Release gives further details of the scheme.

Pictured below is the Tube's Broke? Get on your bike! leaflet handed out.