Forum Topic

Sky Ride

What do you think about this?'Mayor of London’s Sky Ride is coming to Ealing. Enjoy an adventure in your borough, on your bicycle! Come and join in the fun as Ealing becomes traffic free for one day and explore your neighbourhood on two wheels. The 11.4km Mayor of London’s Sky Ride route that will take you from Lammas Park, up Uxbridge Road onto Sutherland Road and back again. Hanwell Clocktower, Ealing Town Hall, Pitzhanger Manor House and Ealing Common are some of the iconic sites that you’ll be able to check out on the day.'

Graham Weeks ● 5752d145 Comments

I was wearing a big green African robe.

Graham Weeks ● 5693d

"There were quite a number of Skyriders seen going down St Marys Road just after 10 am today."I think I spotted you as we rode past - a fine day out.

David Eales ● 5694d

I think the tidal nature of the usage hasn't been fully accounted for...the central docking stations seem to get very empty in the mid/late afternoon. I wonder if the bikes all end up near a network rail terminus or some major intersection.Definitely need an iphone with availibility app!

Sara Nathan ● 5694d

There were quite a number of Skyriders seen going down St Marys Road just after 10 am today.

Graham Weeks ● 5694d

I have passed a couple of these locations in Central London and there was not a single bike there - Carnaby Street and Spitalfields.Does this mean they are well used by the registered folk or is it they have not been fully commissioned.

Colin Izzard ● 5695d

Am so sad - had been looking forward to this for ages and really enjoyed it last year but now have to go to a funeral (father of close friend)instead and it's just not possible to do it and still get to Hoop Lane for noon.Went on a Boris Bike again yesterday and amazed at how much usage has increased in a month.

Sara Nathan ● 5695d

About 200 cyclists will be meeting at Ealing town hall for some led rides into town if anyone wants to join us. One ride at 10:00 another at 11:00 with a led return ride back.www.ealingcycling.org.uk

David Eales ● 5697d

They are probably saving themselves for the Super Sky Ride in Central London this weekend on September 5th

Colin Izzard ● 5697d

I haven't noticed any more cyclists on the roads compared with before the event. In fact there are probably more on the pavements...It's a pity the Council didn't take the opportunity of cleaning the cleared streets after the event but that would require too much brain-power.

Alan Brainsby ● 5697d

Boo!Apparently 13,000 people took part - but presumably that was just how many signed up - I don't recall being counted.Have signed up for a dongle for Boris's bikes but it hasn't arrived yet though I did it last Friday

Sara Nathan ● 5732d

I had a response form the Mayor's office telling me that ' this was a one of event that London boroughs bid to host, Ealing was the winning borough this year and therefore in future years it will be staged in different boroughs so, there are no plans to stage the event in Ealing again. '

Graham Weeks ● 5732d

I wrote to the company organising the event giving my feedback and was pleased with this response from Limelightsports.Subject: RE: EmailTo: "GRAHAM J WEEKS" Date: Thursday, 22 July, 2010, 12:57Dear Graham, Thank you for this email and the comments within it. They will feed into the de-brief notes for the event and i assure you will be read by Sky representatives who were involved with the planning of the events. Once again, apologies for the inconvenience caused to you and your congregation on Sunday. Kindest regards Nick===================================================Email me if you want to see my response.

Graham Weeks ● 5739d

Photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=180413&id=621918151&l=dc9c78a0c9Taken at the west end of The Park including the TVU car park to which only one disabled driver's car was granted access. Displacement parking in the area was not a big problem when I arrived just after 9 am. But around Drayton Green it was very crowded when I went there after the event. Going from St Mary's to the Broadway proved impossible. There were no signs to say all access was blocked . I had to go back and find a way to Northfields to access the Uxbridge Road.I am pleased that many cyclists enjoyed the day but other people were seriously inconvenienced. This was mainly due to lack of clear prior information as the where you could and could not go  by car.I was also pleased to hear that 98% of the costs were paid by the sponsors. I hope this is true.If there is another such event, let it be a Bank Holiday Monday.

Graham Weeks ● 5743d

If we few, we happy few, complained about a few road closures what about this:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10676728Didn't we flood the area a few years ago?

Alan Brainsby ● 5743d

You sad lot.

Al Stuart ● 5743d

Rachel, I think you've summed it up exactly - all road users have been affected (very minor point but the traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing from New Broadway to Bond Street across Uxbridge Road was shut).We might as well have roads cleared so the boy-racers in their Fiestas and Corsas can have a day out.

Alan Brainsby ● 5743d

I am a cyclist and a great supporter of cycling, and I was mightily p***ed off to be unable to bike directly up to Ealing Broadway station this morning due to Skyride road closures. Cycling is a normal means of transport, done in normal clothing as far as I'm concerned.  Surely this shepherded, pointless circular tour togged up in special tabards etc.just promotes the message that cycling isn't a normal part of daily life?

Rachel Sanger ● 5743d

well Sky are the principle sponsor of British Cycling, so although I certainly do not expect them to be doing it out of the goodness of their hearts I can see good being done for the sport at all levels as well as Skys coffers no doubt too.  But why can't we all enjoy the fruits?  I think it's less about Greenwash for sky than the good PR brought from sponsoring a sport from grass roots to olympic level.

Dan Wilkinson ● 5743d

We thoroughly enjoyed it - very well organised, and the people manning the barriers and in the parks, etc., were all very pleasant. A lot more seemed to have taken part than I'd thought would, but it didn't feel too crowded.I noticed one church on the route, near to Ealing Common, selling tea and cakes (and doing well), while another (St Paul's, near Northfields) was giving away free drinks and choc ices.... Having drunk enough Gatorade (given by sponsors) and with lunch in prospect, we resisted the choc ices, but it was nice of them to offer.It was an excellent way of getting people on their bikes (especially very young kids) but, as it being distributed around the boroughs, it probably won't come to Ealing again for a few years. However, there is the London Sky ride on September 5th to look forward to.

D Fox ● 5743d

"Great to see British companies like Sky and British Gas championing Cycling and Swimming from a grass roots level to the top flight"Up to a point.  Sky, of course, is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who also owns the Sunday Times, which quite apart from employing Jeremy Clarkson, has past form for climate change denial and other things that make one not inclined to thank them for putting a trifling amount of money and effort into a public event in return for lashings of publicity - the event was formerly known as 'London Freewheel', of course, but changed to promote the profile of both the Mayor and Sky.  I'm not entirely happy with that.Idea: good - corporate whoring of London's public life: bad.Promoting cycling is about more than just one event, and I'm not entirely convinced by the greenwash from companies whose back history is not good reading from an environmental point of view.

Thomas Barry ● 5743d

I was there around 1.30pm with my son in a seat at the back. I was very glad I didn't have to avoid traffic as I was a bit wobbly at times bearing in mind he is nearly 3 stone! Well organised and a good route too. Nice to see parts of Ealing I wouldn't normally visit and I did think what a lovely place Ealing is to live!

Diane Gill ● 5743d

If you had read my earlier posting I was able to get out of Ealing fairly easily despite a small holdup in traffic. I will even go on to say that the organisers manged to dismantle all the barriers fairly quickly too after the event.

J Smith ● 5743d

No, not too crowded when I was there c 12.30-3.00.  A very pleasant experience if not quite as good as last year’s Hounslow ride  ;-)Perhaps if some of the misery-guts posting on this forum had got out and had a go they might have lightened up a bit.

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 5743d

Did it get really crowded?

Sara Nathan ● 5743d

Remember fossils fuels also keep the national grid going that allows people to post comments. so let he who does not emit cast the first stone!!

Peter Chadburn ● 5743d

I have to say in my defence that I only use my car a couple times a month if that so the use of fossil fuels is extremely minor where I am concerned. I rely on public transport for 97% of my travelling.

J Smith ● 5743d

I for one, am so glad that you were able to continue the unabated extraction of fossil fuels to carry out your daily business today Mr Stone.  We can breathe a collective, if polluted sigh of relief.

Dan Wilkinson ● 5743d

We did the Sky Ride route this afternoon and it was very pleasant.Riding our bikes to church this morning was not so much fun as no provision had been made at all for cyclists who had other journeys to make in different directions to the Sky Ride.  Luckily we were early enough to be able to go against the flow when our route co-incided with the Sky Ride route, but I'm glad we weren't trying to do the same journey in the afternoon.

Jane Salisbury ● 5743d

Managed to get to church by a round about route (more emissions) and also home today and also managed to park in ealing. so it looked like plenty of people were enjoying it which is good. no doubt a few people will arrive home from holiday to find their cars stolen. so overall i was not disrupted too much and a lot of people had a good time so I am happy if they are happy!!

Peter Chadburn ● 5743d

I have to say that I had take the car out this afternoon and despite being caught in a bit of traffic and held up for about 10 minutes or so going up Uxbridge Rd (towards Ealing Broadway), it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.I thought I'd mention this as I am sure that a few people here believe I am totally anti cyclists - I'm not - am only angry when they don't pay attention to the highway code.

J Smith ● 5743d

I'd also like to add a big well done to the events organisers and the marshalls working today, was lovely to be part of and enjoyed the leisurely pace of the route.Also had to laugh at some of the kamikaze kids who had clearly just had their stabilizers removed recently.Will be on the look out for more events.

D Downey ● 5743d

Fantastic family event, took my twin toddlers out in the trailer and it was great to not worry about busses or 4X4s crushing them to death!  Brill atmosphere in the parks. Great to see British companies like Sky and British Gas championing Cycling and Swimming from a grass roots level to the top flight.

Dan Wilkinson ● 5743d

Just done the skyride with my daughter.Lot of fun & a really nice atmosphere.Well done to Sky and to all those who organised it

Simon Measures ● 5743d

Well haven't ventured out yet, but will be doing so this afternoon sometime.Hope that the poor souls who's cars have been taken away don't have to pay a full fine especially if they have been away and were unaware of the Sky Ride.

J Smith ● 5743d

Just got back and it is very well organised and stewarded buta few cars parked on the wrong side of closed roads were being taken away so there could be some grief and backlash.40 minutes ride, not strenuous but get there early as there will, I think, be bottlenecks.Now for frock and pearls and driving to Surrey. Ho Hum

Sara Nathan ● 5743d

If you look at the skyride website, I think there were some ideas there.

Sara Nathan ● 5744d

An excellent response by the Mayor there.  Reading some of the comments above proves that you don't have to come far out of Central London to find people with small minded provincial attitudes, however I thought that it would have been more than 6 miles.If we are tarring cyclists with the same brush, then accept that to some cyclists all car drivers are either speeding kids in suped up corsa's doing 70 in a 30 zone or school run mums in big 4X4s parking on the pavement or on the double yellow lines. I live on one of the closed roads and I think I will live with it in the same way people live with events like the Marathon or the Nottinghill carnival, by enjoying and participating in a local event.  Are the people of Ealing so small minded that they can't even stand for a few cyclists to take to the street, I doubt any of them are going to do a Paula Radcliffe and take a dump outside their house, or make like a Nottinghill festival goer and take drugs and stab people outside in their garden.

Dan Wilkinson ● 5744d

Try Yell.com

J Smith ● 5744d

Does anyone know any place where they hire bikes for the day?Thanks!

Valentina Dell'Aquila ● 5744d

cos Sky is the major sponsor!

Sara Nathan ● 5745d

Sigh!  Im coming back from a wedding in Poland just as the skyride (why sky?) is taking place.  Hope the side roads home aren't congested.

Barbara Yerolemou ● 5746d

The management of the project smells of incompetence.Even the next event, whatever it is, in August, has not been widely advertised.As none of the roads are trunk roads then they must fall under the Council's auspices.Perhaps a protest could be mounted (awful pun) be the blowing of vuvuzelas (remember them?) by disgruntled neighbours along the route.

Alan Brainsby ● 5746d

Thanks, hope so too, the council have put up 'tow away' signs. Feel really sorry for those people who are away on holiday and have no idea about the road closures etc. They will return to their cars being towed away. Terrible organisation, we should have known about the road closures months ago to make arrangements.

Jaz Brown ● 5746d

You can get out of Ealing along Uxbridge Rd from Eccleston Rd towards Ealing Broadway.Regarding the parking of cars that have to move, I have no idea, I just hope that traffic wardens will be lenient on that day.

J Smith ● 5746d

Hi, could any one tell me where all the cars on the roads used for the bike ride going to park? Many of them have to be be off the road by 9pm on Saturday. Also can those of us who live inside the bike ride drive out of Ealing on Sunday? I cannot see any exits on the route.

Jaz Brown ● 5746d

Isn't the real hostility in this thread due to the fact so little warning was given about road closures? The fact that the participants are cyclists is irrelevant. They could equally be dung rollers or pogo stick racers.As an aside: without traffic forcing them into the nearside gutter how will cyclists know which side of the road to cycle on?I trust the constabulary will be present at pedestrian crossings to catch those whose choose to ignore them.I assume that police on the route won't be issued with footpath stingers as the novelty of cycling on the roadway will prove too great.

Alan Brainsby ● 5746d

I've just re read someone's earlier posting about another cycle ride being organised for around Ealing. The date mentioned is 08 August. Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that the date for the Chariot Procession? If this ride does go ahead won't it conflict with the Procession? Unless the proposed additional cycle ride is fictional.

J Smith ● 5746d

Its on a Sunday...!! Some of the comments on here are so bad I might submit them to Private Eye or Viz.Iwasnt going to ride this event as it's not really my kind of thing but Ive just registered to spite all the bozos on this site.

Al Stuart ● 5746d

Thanks, Graham, for letting us have sight of the Mayor's official response.A boost for local businesses as I said.  People who travel to local shops by foot, bike or bus spend more, and shop more frequently in local shops than people who pull up outside a small shop by car.

Ben Owen ● 5747d

I always cycled fast enough to keep warm. What can we commemorate between the end of May and September? NI has July 12.

Graham Weeks ● 5747d

http://christianquoter.blogspot.com/2010/07/mayors-response.html

Graham Weeks ● 5747d

"Sky will be offering those affected £50."Will that include those who cannot use their usual bus stops because of route diversions?And is the £50 cash or a discount on Sky Cycling HD subscriptions?If Sky is using this as cheap publicity then it could create a greater impact by getting together with BoJo and TfL and have a buggy-free bus day. Many more would benefit, and no road closures.`

Alan Brainsby ● 5747d

This is true and is what is the problem. On the one hand some people are saying that this event will bring a lot of revenue to local businesses - how so, if public transport and parking is affected? Those residents who have the misfortune to live in the areas where the only time they can leave their roads is before the event or after are grossly inconvenienced - are these the people who will be getting £50 from Sky in compensation?I am lucky enough that I do not live in one of these badly affected areas, but do feel that a bit more consultation especially for those in those affected areas, should have taken place.Perhaps a walkathon should take place as that is ultimately the greenest form of transport.

J Smith ● 5747d

Thank you Sara, again a very accurate and balanced observation.David, I had already suggested getting back on topic.Hardly any of these events touch Ealing, Marathon (another pointless sporting activity - running miles for no reason causing heartys and other injuries) happens in East London and the City which is usually deserted on Sundays anyway. Anti-knife demo's usually happen in the West End or Parliment way.  Hanwell Carnival well yes thats a bit closer but takes place in one location, this event covers a large area, affecting some residents who will have disruption of their business throughout the day.Granted its one day, but the 'done deal' seems really unfair to those affected.

G Lord ● 5747d

Sorry for being a bit late, been a bit a busy.Seems to a few camps here.1. In favour but wanted more warning/different day2. Can't see the point of it3. In favourCamp 1I think it's rather a done deal but hopefully you have expressed your thoughts on the matter to the council/TfL and future events of whatever nature [cycling or not] will consider these ideas.Camp 2Fair enough - but again it's rather a done deal. You don't have to take part although most people are inconvenienced at some point throughout the year for such events, the Hanwell Carnival, London Marathon, Easter Sunday parades, anti-knife demonstration. Camp 3Let's hope you enjoy it and give feedback postive or negative back to TfL/the council.

David Eales ● 5747d

Bit unfair - engaged discussion, much disagreement but no sign of trollery on any side.

Sara Nathan ● 5747d

Sky have just announced that they will be sponsoring and Ealing will be hosting another Skyride on the 8th August. Sky will be offering those affected £50.

Ben Owen ● 5747d

You're a bit late in the day for that David, don't you think?Let's get back to discussing the Sky Ride and not how great cyclists think they are.

J Smith ● 5747d

Ben - best not to feed the trollsCan we start a new thread to discuss cycling and leave this thread for a SkyRide discussion.

David Eales ● 5747d

re: once surrounded by metal you feel invulnerable----------------Thats exactly it isn't it?  When people get behind a wheel they take on a new personality.  There is little protection on a bike, like it or not, thats the way it is.  But thats the risk of cycling especially in London.This thread is descending into a car vs bike debate, which is not what was intended.In all, this event seems to have been badly planned and timed.  Will there be anyway to count the cost to local residents after the event?

G Lord ● 5747d

Isn't that because it is perfectly possible as a motorist, bus driver etc to behave as if cyclists didn't exist - once surrounded by metal you feel invulnerable. But cyclists spend their whole time on the road worrying about other road users - the only way to ever give cyclists the sense of freedom that motorists seem entitled to, is to have them dominate the space - for one day only. And I expect pedestrians are more than welcome - they certainly are on the London ride which is the only one I have done.

Sara Nathan ● 5747d

at least they stop at the lights Ben.

G Lord ● 5747d

F Stone and G Lord.  Bad behaviour is always remembered and compliance is typically forgotton.  Bad drivers are far more likely to go to jail.  43 per cent of all casualtiete on London's roads were people in CARS. That is 12,046 people. God, how dreadful and scary that London has all these crazy sad people who get a massive kick if they are first away from the lights.

Ben Owen ● 5747d

All of what you say Sara is absolutely true, but someone has already said it, no other road users would dream of having an area designated as off limits to others and by the way, move your cars that are parked in the street as well.Would horse riders?  Ramblers? Motor cyclists? No, it simply wouldn't happen.

G Lord ● 5747d

There are good cyclists, those who know what the Highway Code is and what a red light means. The majority that I have come across do not fall into this category. They are arrogant, flout all the rules and then to top it all are abusive if someone challenges them.The Sky Ride, whilst a good idea in principle and I don't blame cyclists wanting to have an empty stretch of road ahead of them, is just creating more of a headache for pedestrians and motorists alike. More information should have been given to the community as a whole and not a fait accompli which is what we have been given.I wonder why it was rushed through has anything to do with fop head Boris being a cyclist?

J Smith ● 5747d

Is there a cycling community?Many cyclists are just using a good method of getting around town. You don't speak of a pedestrian community though pedestrians (and yes I am one of those too) do some mad things - especially in Oxford Street. Also they walk in bike lanes, jump out from between parked cars, ignore traffic lights and otherwise are a danger to themselves and others. But a community? i don't think so.Motorists too (am one of those) open car doors without looking, carve up each other, cyclists and pedestrians, drive in bike lanes and almost invariably stop at lights within the area specifically marked out for cyclists.And don't get me started on white van and bendy bus drivers.But these are just examples of individual idiocy - there are good drivers and cyclists passing un-noticed among us. And I don't think there are communities of road users.Plus the bike lane provision is parlous and very often obviously not decided by anyone who has ever been on a bike - Holland Park roundabout being a case in point...and no bike lanes all the way into town via Notting Hill Gate - it's daft.Finally, it's the compliant cyclists who get themselves killed. Middle aged women who obey all the rules of the road...pootle along and are then wiped out disproportionately by cars and lorries doing stupid things - and/or just not seeing them. There is an arguement for cycling flambouyantly if it means you are more likely to survive the journey. And the joy of the skyrides is that pretty much everyone wil survive the journey.

Sara Nathan ● 5747d

Perhaps its more of a respect issue?  The cycling community seem to have little regard to anyone else, running red lights, riding on footpaths etc.  When on the road they try to keep up with other users and simply can't compete, so come off worse.Specially built cycle paths are often ignored, being only for wimps and children.  Now they have a special day where roads are closed to other users?  Not only cars, but Public transport will be disrupted, a far greener and safer solution to getting about town, so they say.I wasn't anti this event at first, but now I am, it really is pure arrogance.

G Lord ● 5748d

I don't hate cyclists at all. I just don't like the way they flout the highway code and thnk they are above the law.

J Smith ● 5748d

The earlier comment i made on this topic was tongue in cheek.Now reading on i see that most people on here are making similar anti cycle comments and being deadly serious about it!!Why are we the only country in Europe that seems to hate cyclists so much? You really are a sad bunch on here.

Al Stuart ● 5748d

"Weather is forecasted to be between 22 - 24 degrees on Sunday..."Thanks for info.Maybe a fair to moderate chance of cases of exhaustion, heart failure, and the like - and the nearest hospital is Ealing - cogitate before you circulate.

Alan Brainsby ● 5748d

Weather is forecasted to be between 22 - 24 degrees on Sunday (source: Metcheck.com)and the rainman is on holiday!

Ben Owen ● 5748d

Not sure about the weather - Saturday is sunny 24c.If they had it at Christmas, the police could probably have a field day with people cycling whilst under the influence.

J Smith ● 5748d

How about Christmas Day in the afternoon?Little traffic and all those new bikes bought for Christmas could be safely tested on empty roads after the morning church services.Of course this would overload the police force catching all those not displaying the correct "steady" lighting.BTW what's the weather report for this Sunday - scorching heat or heavy rain?

Alan Brainsby ● 5748d

Very limiting given there are only two during the summer months - maybe you could sort that out!I too am a car-owner/payer who would rather not use it whenever possible...and finds I don't anyhow have much access during the holidays.

Sara Nathan ● 5748d

A bank holiday Monday?

Graham Weeks ● 5748d

Oh yes how true - its all about the pain!

J Smith ● 5748d

I have a car - hardly use it preferring to either walk or take public transport.

J Smith ● 5748d

As a gut feeling, seventy or even eighty per cent of all adult cyclists are car owners.  We just use our cars less.  The average journey in a car in London is less than four miles. On yer bike!

Ben Owen ● 5748d

Decapitation doesn't sound a healthy thing to do? In fact, it might involve some pain.  But then, no pain no gain?

G Lord ● 5748d

Mercedes and BMW drivers are a league unto themselves - they believe that they too are above the highway code and that all other road users are in the wrong.Car users have to pay for car tax, insurance and MOT (unless they have a brand new shiny car)

J Smith ● 5748d

Will you have a go at the prat in the white Mercedes who nearly decapitated me as I was going past Ealing Common Underground station last week?  He then screamed out of his window "And you don't pay road tax!" No motorist pays road tax! (You pay vehicle excise duty based on your carbon emissions - some cars are excused from this altogether).

Ben Owen ● 5748d

If you're a cyclist it is - the majority of them all appear to be colour blind.

J Smith ● 5748d

"pain is gain"    is red green?

Robert Darke ● 5748d

Well to my mind the cleanest, greenest and easiest way of getting around is walking.I have a car - very rarely use it and either walk to where ever I am going or take public transport.

J Smith ● 5748d

I haven't got time to read all the other posts prior to mine, so apologies if what I say here has been mentioned by others. Local businesses will be looking forward to seeing an extra 20,000 people flooding into Ealing, West Ealing and Hanwell town centres on Sunday July 18th boosting the stretched local economy massively. There will be some inconvenience for local residents, but the gain will be worth the pain. More people on bikes makes cyclng safer for everyone. Drivers become more aware of cyclists, and when people convert to the bike rather than the dependency of the car there are less cars on the road. Ealing Council offers cycle training for a fiver....if you haven't taken advantage of doing this then you really should.  I really hope that the Skyride does introduce more and more people to the health benefits of cycling, whilst offering everyone the opportunity to discover lovely Ealing in a safe and enjoyable environment, and hopefully drive down the dependency of the car.  I am pretty confident as can be that the day is going to be great event for everyone – no matter what age or cycling ability - to experience the joy of cycling on a car free route and celebrate the cleanest, greenest, easiest way of getting about town. 

Ben Owen ● 5749d

There are quite a few roads which can't be used but it appears that cars are allowed along the stretch of Uxbridge Road from Drayton Green Road towards Ealing Broadway - the cyclists will allegedly be using the bus lane.On a side note - this morning was on the bus going to the station. A cyclist was ahead and we were approaching the junction just past the council offices - the lights turned red, the bus duly stops. The cyclist ahead cycles through the red light totally oblivious to the traffic coming out of the road on the right. Am sorry to say this but sometimes cyclists do create the accidents they are involved in. I am not saying that the all cyclists are like this, but the vast majority appear to be. What's going to happen on Sunday when they are all together? Heaven help poor pedestrians who dare cross the road at crossings, or are they too banned from using the public highway?

J Smith ● 5749d

Which road junctions will be open to cars for those who either wish to avoid this "fun day out" or would like to go about their business?

G Lord ● 5749d

Graham,You ask if its a vote winner, for me and I'm sure others this is a possitive for the mayor. I can understand you personally being upset about this taking place on Sunday but what other days would you suggest with people working and at school Mon-Fri and main shopping being done on Saturdays.Found the bus routes on TFL website which I hope helpsMAYOR OF LONDON SKY RIDE, ROUTES 65, E1, E3, E11: Between 0900-1630 Sunday 18 July buses will be diverted with serious delays due to the event taking place.Diversion:Route 65 towards Ealing Broadway: From St Marys Road, right warwick Road, left The Common, left The Mall, ahead The Broadway, right Springfield Road to line of route.Route E1 towards Greenford: From Haven Green, ahead The Broadway, right The Broadway, ahead New Broadway, ahead Uxbridge Road, right Drayton Green Road, ahead Argyle Road, left Courtfield Gardens, ahead Drayton Bridge Road to line of route.Towards Ealing Broadway: From Drayton Bridge Road, ahead Courtfield Gardens, right Argyle Road, ahead Drayton Green Road, left Uxbridge Road, ahead New Broadway, left Springbridge Road to line of route.Route E11 towards Greenford: From Argyle Road (Sutherland Road), ahead Argyle Road, left Courtfield Gardens, ahad Drayton Bridge Road to line of route.Towards Ealing Common: From Drayton Bridge Road, ahead Courtfield Gardens, right Argyle Road to line of route.Route E3 towards Chiswick: From Greenford Avenue, right Drayton Bridge Road, ahead Courtfield Gardens, right Argyle Road, ahead Drayton Green Road, ahead Northfield Avenue to line of route.Towards Greenford: From Northfield Avenue, ahead Drayton Green Road, ahead Argyle Road, left Courtfield Gardens, ahead Drayton Bridge Road, right Greenford Avenue to line of route.

D Downey ● 5749d

An open letter to the Mayor of London concerning Skyride in Ealing this coming SundayDear Mr. Mayor,I write concerning the Mayor of London’s Skyride in Ealing this coming Sunday.I cycled regularly in London from my undergraduate days in Bloomsbury in the Sixties until the Nineties when I was a Conservative councilor in this borough for eight years. Commuting by cycle was healthier, cheaper and usually quicker than by motorised public or private transport.But I never expected roads to be closed for me, parking suspended, buses diverted and other people inconvenienced so that I could cycle with fewer safety concerns.I have in the past few days spent several hours ascertaining how the congregation of our church will be able to get to our meeting place off The Park. Public information has been very sparse for those of us who live outside the Skyride area but wish to travel into it to worship. I have had to search the websites of Skyride, Ealing Council and Transport for London to find information, which has sometimes been unclear and contradictory. I have had to phone the town hall so that a disabled member can drive to church and park there. Hers will be the only car in the car park. The rest of the motoring congregation will have to find spaces on streets crammed with displacement parking.There has been to my knowledge no consideration given neither to the needs of worshipping Christians nor to those businesses operating on Sunday. I hope It has not escaped your notice that there is Sunday trading these days as well as Christian worship. Tell me Mr. Mayor, would you close roads around a mosque on a Friday without telling the Imam? So why this secularist and anti-business approach to this coming Sunday in Ealing?You, sir, will not I trust have forgotten how your predecessor in the office of mayor lost many votes in this borough with his unlamented failed plan for trams along the Uxbridge Road. Do you really think that Skyride will be a vote winner? Yours faithfully,The Reverend Graham Weeks(Chairman of the Borough of Ealing Environment Committee 1992-93.)P.S. I will be informing Sky that if they continue to inconvenience me in this way they will lose my custom like you will lose my vote.

Graham Weeks ● 5749d

It is late. I will tomorrow post details of the council officer to whom complaints should be made, plus Boris, our Assembly member and Sky.The bus diversions are on the tfl site or so a council officer tells me. She also got me permission for our disabled church member oe drive along The Park to church even though this road is closed to all vehicles. I do not know if he will have a red flag, but a marshal will walk in front of her car.

Graham Weeks ● 5749d

One might hope that the temporary banning of parking along many of the closed roads (and their footpaths!) may become permanent...I notice that the circuit is exclusively for the delectation of places in Ealing and Hanwell so this is is not borough orientated.Or am I wrong and there is b****r-all elsewhere in the borough to see?A useful exercise would be for the police to lie in wait at the roadside and nab those cyclists with faulty brakes, loose handle bars, etc. They could even be issued with pursuit bicycles for the day, replete with handbell and blue flashing LEDs!

Alan Brainsby ● 5749d

The roads are closed betwee 9am and 4.30pm - have just read the leaflet that was posted through the door.

J Smith ● 5749d

You're joking! That is a little excessive don't you think? Will check the leaflet when i get home.

J Smith ● 5749d

Just to be clear...The signage also states the roads are closed from 6AM....until 10PM I think.

Niall Connolly ● 5749d

Its astonishing when you see the list of over fifty road closures without residents advance knowledge of the event, let alone approval.                                        I`m very against cycling in local parks which should be safe havens away from traffic for children to play in and for the elderly to relax and walk on pedestrian pathways which aren`t devalued.Hope there is bicycle frame recognition as well as plenty of local SNT sergeants with good memories!

Robert Darke ● 5749d

I think it is a great idea but some allowance should be made for people wanting to go about their business.

Peter Chadburn ● 5749d

Why not lighten up and go along and see what you think? You might even enjoy it.Roads are closed for many reasons: carnivals; roadworks; boat race; duff bridges; water leaks; protest marches. this is one day of change, of a different perspective. We don't hypothecate taxes nor (in theory at least) give more votes or a louder voice to any one person or group paying more in tax than another so that seems a poor arguement. If you pay a higher rate tax or Capital Gains tax, does that mean your wishes should be taken into account more than someone who pays little or none? That's not how a parliamentary democracy works is it? So arguing that car drivers should have more consideration because they - in these circumstances - pay more tax doesn't really make sense.And even if you wanted to use the tax argument, surely you would have to offset the costs to society of motoring: the pollution, the noise, the use of scarce natural resources. Cycling does none of those things. PS yes I am a motorist as well.

Sara Nathan ● 5749d

I thknk you will find it in the leaflet that came round. I'm wondering where the buses will go and how much they will impact on the side roads.

J Smith ● 5749d

usually i am taking equipment by car and sometimes also give folk a lift to and from church. we were due to have a special anniversary service but if folk can't get there then it would be a pity. we welcome all and do not have a problem with women at all. In fact our minister is a woman. the buses supposedly will be diverted but where to????

Peter Chadburn ● 5749d

Smokers contribute a lot of tax for each pack they buy which does go towards medical treatment, so it kind of balances out, so I'm told.Please do not mock anyones religious beliefs, especially those who haven't tried to force on you theirs, its a low thing to do.Our values as a society are based, like it or not, on Christian principles and Sunday is the "day of rest" when worship takes place.  Graham put it correctly when he said "a day when the roads are free of every other vehicle except private cars? Of course not. It would be outrageous. So is this folly."

G Lord ● 5749d

I didn't mention anything about road tax - car tax, insurance and MOT are the things I mentioned.Regarding church goers - you will find most Anglican and RC churches have their main services on a Sunday, generally about 10.30 / 11.00. Not all people live round the corner from said churches and many do have to either use public transport or their own car.

J Smith ● 5749d

I have been following this with interest, the anti-religious and anti-business aspect is amazing.Car users have to pay for car tax, insurance and MOT - what do cyclists pay for?No one has paid road tax since about 1930 which I think has been mentioned. I think in the same way as I do not smoke perhaps I should get a rebate on my tax that goes towards treating smoking related issues.Are car drivers the only ones who spend money?Some one said they will have to get to their church earlier - could you not walk? Not sure which sky pixie you believe one, but do you have to pray on the same day every week? Is that what he told you? I know I'm only woman, so probably don't have an idea you'd consider, or maybe your church has evolved recently and let us in.

Norma Harrison ● 5749d

I thought they were diverting buses?

J Smith ● 5749d

I believe that Church Road in Hanwell has some dispensation on access for Churches but have not heard any other news. I know that it will cause problems for me getting to church and no doubt others who perhaps live more than a couple of miles from their church. There will be no buses to ealing. I can not even get a train.

Peter Chadburn ● 5749d

Southall is I believe not to be menaced by this latest exploit from the stable of the Dirty Digger. As one of his customers I intend to tell him that if he sponsors another of these fiascos near me he will lose my business. He has already lost it from The Times. After buying it for 30 years I gave up in digust. I await a call back from our illustrious council in the hope they can clarify contradictory information I have bseen on who can go where and when, where they can park, disabled access and bus diversions.I think commercial and church interests should protest vehemently at this disruption of their work. I am all for cycling but why should cyclists be encouraged to seriously inconvenience other people? Do I ask for a day when the roads are free of every other vehicle except private cars? Of course not. It would be outrageous. So is this folly.

Graham Weeks ● 5749d

Sorry for being slow on the uptake but this is the first I've heard of this.Am I right in saying that sections of the Uxbridge Road will be closed and buses won't be operating along that road? Might be a lovely opportunity for Ealingites for a nice bike ride but it will result in gridlock in Southall and Acton. A nice metaphor for way things normally work in the borough I suppose.

Andy Jones ● 5749d

The more I hear about it, the less impressed I am.  If any of my businesses were open on Sundays and trade was affected because of this, I'd be seriously unhappy.Excellent point that church goers might be affected and would any other place of worship be closed on it busiest day of the week.We need to stimulate the economy, not encourage the non paying cyclists to enjoy a free day out at our expense and inconvenience.

G Lord ● 5749d

"It doesn't seem to be worth it here and it hasn't even happened yet!"I wasn't a particular fan of the idea, but did pop down and walk the course of last year's one and it was well attended and well organised, barring one incident of an abusive driver finding his way blocked which led to police attending.  They were lucky with the weather, of course.  It's rather pleasant walking West London with no traffic roaring past.

Thomas Barry ● 5749d

Car users have to pay for car tax, insurance and MOT - what do cyclists pay for? Nothing. So what gives them the right to take over the roads for a whole day causing disruption for other road users (I am including public transport here as well). Using your argument, car users pay twice the amount of tax that cyclists do.

J Smith ● 5749d

"Oh really?  My Chauffeur looks after my vehicles so I don't deal with things like that."Does he look after your basic knowledge of the legal situation of road vehicles in the UK, a matter of widespread public knowledge?Indeed, so widespread is the knowledge you can even get T-shirts for cyclists pointing out that they do pay 'road tax', since it comes out of general taxation and indeed council tax for borough-maintained roads.  For that matter cyclists pay as much VED as a comparable car, since very low or zero emission vehicles are zero-rated, and a bicycle is about as low emission as you can get.All in all it's one of these absurdly persistent right wing victim myths, like most of the whinges of the petrolhead lobby who seem to think they and only they should be pandered to and indulged.  It needs to stop, it's pathetic.

Thomas Barry ● 5749d

It doesn't seem to be worth it here and it hasn't even happened yet!Whilst it is true that Sky are local(ish), a lot of their employees come from elsewhere which is why they run shuttle minibises from BR and Tube stations.

G Lord ● 5749d

"Goodness knows whether it will happen next year....must be dpendent on quite how much public money goes into it and whether it is seen as worth it."Um, the plan is to hold them regularly in outer London boroughs, last year's was in Brentford/Isleworth.  This year there's also one in Redbridge.  It's a major plank of the Mayor's cycling strategy.Also, not entirely coincidentally, major local employer and British cycling's major sponsor Sky get an opportunity to buy a lot of cheapish publicity - I suspect that one of the reasons for a small part of West London being chosen for the first two, other than the Mayor's transport advisor being a local, is proximity to Sky who supply a lot of the staffing from staff volunteers).

Thomas Barry ● 5749d

Well its only for a day or part of anyway.But what a lot things NOT considered.Such a waste of money too.

G Lord ● 5749d

Yes, I don't undestand why we need quite so many signs either. If they'd actually told us that our roads would be closed via a leaflet, and cut in half the no of signs, I might not be so cross !!

Penny Crocker ● 5749d

I believe it is and they also get to take in the scenery.

J Smith ● 5749d

Is that the point?  That cyclists get the roads to themselves?

G Lord ● 5749d

This is also true - they do tend to believe that they can ride on the pavement (where there isn't a cycle path), go through red lights and ring their bell at anyone who dares get in their way!Whilst I see that the idea behind it all maeks a change for cyclists to ride the roads without cars, buses etc - haven't they got their own designated cycleways which take them away from the traffic?

J Smith ● 5749d

There seems to be more antis than fors here at the moment.I still don't get what the point is.  Cyclists seem to do what they want when they want anyway, why is there a need for a mass bike ride in a circle around Ealing for no real reason?

G Lord ● 5749d

Oh really?  My Chauffeur looks after my vehicles so I don't deal with things like that.

G Lord ● 5749d

And this will have been arranged well before the election. Goodness knows whether it will happen next year....must be dpendent on quite how much public money goes into it and whether it is seen as worth it.For me, it's better than the assorted festivals, Mela etc in the parks and those seem to be happening...for others it won't be. But I suspect the sums are not so great that not having it would save sure start or the schools building programme.

Sara Nathan ● 5749d

"Why are car users, who lets face it, pay for road use via the Road Tax,"There's no such thing as road tax*.  Do pay attention.* There's Vehicle Excise Duty, which is nothing to do with 'paying for road use'.

Thomas Barry ● 5749d

Sara,I very much doubt Sky are funding ALL the costs associated with this as it would be difficult (not impossible) to quantify the knock on, indirect costs for this type of event. I suspect the signage, police presence and other public/council controlled items are paid for directly by those bodies responsible and some of the cost is passed back to the sponsor - but not all.I agree its a lovely idea - but so are a lot of things that we simply can't afford.I'd rather we had less of the nice to haves and more of the essentials than the other way round.

Niall Connolly ● 5749d

Why are car users, who lets face it, pay for road use via the Road Tax, not allowed to use the roads when cyclists who don't pay for road useage are?Will there be a rebate?

G Lord ● 5749d

I'm sorry so many people feel aggrieved byt this event - I think it's fab and only wish it started early enough for me to be able to take part.As the name suggests, it's sponsored by Sky so there may not even be much/any public money involved and if it gets people off their bums and onto bikes, that is surely good for all of us.The Mayor's skyride through the centre of town (September 9th I think this year) is a fabulous opportunity to see and experience London without traffic. It's huge fun and very well organised. And, like the Ealing one, it's only once a year so should be possible to work around just for the single day.

Sara Nathan ● 5749d

Well there's a case in point.As someone has said, the country is in debt, we are hosting the Olympics at vast expense to the London tax payer and there was talk of the World Cup being hosted here in 2018!But its sport, so funds will be found.

G Lord ● 5749d

Just look at the recent football fiasco

J Smith ● 5750d

Well cycling is kind of sport, why should this event be scrapped?Its important to know that failure is rewarded.

G Lord ● 5750d

Interesting that as buses will be out more of us will have to get into our cars to go places on sunday and drive wierd routes to get where we want to go to!!

Peter Chadburn ● 5750d

Yesterday Loads of signs (almost every other lampost) on the part of the route near Drayton Green Station. What I would love to know is - given the current level of debt we are in - does this not consitute a luxury we could well do without ? How else are we to pay for the debt if not by cutting these events?

Niall Connolly ● 5750d

Publicity has been poor except to houses on the actual route and the url is not much help.

Graham Weeks ● 5750d

Has there been any mention of footpath closures in the roads where the c...ts circulate?If not, why not?

Alan Brainsby ● 5750d

My objection is that the planners of this even have paid no regard to Christians or to commerce. I will have to leave early and park away from the place our church meets. I am still not certain what will happen to our disabled members who need to park in a car park off a road which is part of the route. This is for me almost as big a folly supperted by Boris as the tram by Red Ken. If you need roads closed to cars to get on your bike you are not fit to cycle. In my cycling days there were no cycle lanes. The fun was weaving in and out to get ahead of those on four wheels. Cycle lanes are for children and wimps. I cycled in London from 1965 to 1998.In conclusion I ask, would these people have closed roads round a mosque on Friday?The typical cyclist is not downtrodden but is an ignorer of traffic lights and/or a traveller on pavements who when on the road fails to give proper signals.

Graham Weeks ● 5750d

Allegedly to give the poor down-trodden cyclist a chance to cycle the roads in peace and quiet without having to worry about cars etc.

J Smith ● 5750d

I think there probably will be too.What is the purpose of this event?

G Lord ● 5750d

Uxbridge Road wouldn't be shut if we had a tramway...Regarding cyclists at this event I wouldn't be surprised if there were more accidents than usual.

Alan Brainsby ● 5750d

No, you are right. Once colour blind, always colour blind.

J Smith ● 5750d

disregarding pedestrians trying to cross the road at pedestrian crossings?-------------------------------------Does a leopard change its spots?

G Lord ● 5750d

With all these cyclists about - will any of them be observing the Highway Code, or will they be disregarding pedestrians trying to cross the road at pedestrian crossings?

J Smith ● 5750d

How dare they stop the mighty motor car..Just how am I meant to get to my  Sunday paper? I'll have to walk the 200 yards to the shop. It's outrageous. I'm writing to my local MP.

Al Stuart ● 5750d

"The six-mile route takes in some of Ealing’s beautiful green spaces, including Lammas Park, Ealing Common and Brent Lodge Park.  With no official starting point or finish line, you can ride as much or as little of the route as you can – and as many times as you like.Riders are invited to stop off in parks, rest, be entertained by performers and get some information about cycling in the borough"I believe Lammas Park is the Base Camp.

Jim Lawes ● 5750d

That is it. They tell us about whether we can not park in our own roads!! even on saturday evening. No doubt people who have gone on holiday last week will find their cars lifted!!! however we do not know from the leaflets that have bbeen delivered about how we can get ourselves from a to b. I think it is a good idea but life must also go on around it.

Peter Chadburn ● 5750d

Great idea, pity that the information has been so poor and late. Thought the response to Eric leach from Council was insulting - he was complaining about the lack of info and consultation , not the event. I live in a road which will be entirely cut off during the Sky ride (Half Acre Road, W7) - no information has been provided to me or my neighbours about the Sky ride.

Mary Hall ● 5750d

Make sure you can get out of ealing then!! I would guess buses will be disrupted and am concerned about how i get from hanwell to ealing to go to church when two of the roads i would go on will be shut???? so my warning would be that if you are in or near the route leave early if you are going anywhere

Peter Chadburn ● 5750d

What time does it start? I would love to do it but have to be on duty in Surrey in flowered silk frock and pearls by lunchtime.

Sara Nathan ● 5751d

Jim Lawes ● 5751d