Is London Next in Line to Embrace the Bike?

Kaya Burgess and Rhoda Buchanan report on a ride for cyclists' rights in the English capital, where political support for more inclusive streets is gaining momentum.

1 minute read

May 2, 2012, 1:00 PM PDT

By Ryan Lue


Hordes of Londoners took to the streets on Saturday in response to growing concerns over cyclist safety in the UK, urging candidates in next week's local elections to take note. "Despite the steady rain, cyclists of all shapes and sizes - old and young, male and female, lycra-clad and fancy-dressed - took over Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square and Victoria Embankment, chanting for safer streets," Burgess and Buchanan write.

The 10,000-odd riders were joined by mayoral candidates Brian Paddick and Jenny Jones, both of whom stressed their commitment to safer roads for cyclists.

Another protest ride, dubbed Pedal on Parliament, took place in Edinburgh the same day. That event drew roughly 3,000 participants – three times the number organizers anticipated. "We didn't expect these sorts of numbers. We didn't know how strong the feeling was, obviously we've struck a chord. People are coming form all over Scotland," said organizer Dave Brennan.

Two cyclists have been killed in the Scottish capital since the beginning of the year, stoking public sentiment over cyclist awareness. Said Gareth Dennis, a student at Edinburgh University, "I feel pretty angry about the state of cycling. The attitudes of the British are all wrong."

Saturday, April 28, 2012 in The Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today