BIG RIDES for Space for Cycling in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester and Bristol

In 2012, the London Cycling Campaign managed to get 10,000 people out on their Big Ride before the Mayoral Election, in pouring rain.

This time, with a guarantee of better weather, it will be even bigger.

Crowds will gather at 11 for a midday start on Park Lane, and ride a couple of miles to Embankment for a rally.

The safe, family-friendly event is organised with the cooperation of the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London, and takes place on motor-traffic-free streets under close supervision of expert ride marshals.

Participants will be encouraged to wear bright colours, fun costumes, to bring flags and banners, and lots of parents and children are expected, along with Londoners from all walks of life.

London will also include feeder rides starting from between 9 and 10 from dozens of locations around Greater London. See this map for locations.

But it's not just London that will be running rides.

• Bristol - starting at 11.30 at Lower Approach Road, Temple Meads Station
• Leeds - starting at 12.00 at Millenium Square
• Newcastle - starting at 10.00 at Haymarket
• Manchester - starting at 13.00 at Platt Fields (14.00 departure)
• Sheffield - starting at 10.30 at Barker's Pool (11.00 departure)
• Solihull - starting at 13.00 in Tudor Grange Park.

If you are based in the south of England, try and make it to London for the LCC ride.  

Thunderclap!

If you can't make it or already have something planned, you can still help raise awareness by joining the Space for Cycling Thunderclap on social media. This will ensure that messages supporting Space for Cycling are timed to release on Twitter and Facebook at the same time, just as the rides are getting underway. Sign up here!

Photo by Jim Killock used under ShareAlike