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The Mayor of London's Skyride is a major cycling event in London, England, aimed at cyclists of every age and ability. Originally inaugurated as the London Freewheel, for 2009 the event has been re-named, following a multi-year sponsorship deal between Sky and the Mayor of London

As planned, for the first time in 2009, a smaller, local event in outer London has been added to the summer's cycling events by the Mayor. The first one of these will take place in Hounslow on Sunday August 9th.

At least 50,000 are estimated to have taken part in both 2007 and 2008. The central route for 2009 has been extended to increase capacity as a result.

Background
The number of cyclists on London's major roads has grown by 83 per cent from 2000 to 2007. It is estimated that 40 per cent of Londoners have access to a bike, but only five per cent use one regularly.

The Mayor of London and Transport for London increased investment in cycling by 50 per cent in 2007/08 from £24 million in 2006/07 to £36 million in 2007/08. In 2000 investment in cycling stood at just £5.5 million. This money is being spent on improved cycle parking facilities, education and training, events and cycle promotion. 500km of the London Cycle Network Plus - a network of signed routes for cyclists across the capital - has already been completed and the full 900km network will be completed by the end of 2010. Transport for London has installed 10,000 cycling parking spaces across the capital in the past two years.

The Mayor is investing a record £111.3million in cycling in 2009, stimulating a cycling revolution and funding landmark cycle hire and cycle highways schemes. Transport for London is funding £3million in cycle training for Londoners this year, through London's borough councils. The TfL funded training sessions are individually tailored to each person's needs and teach them to deal with a wide range of traffic conditions. For information on cycle training provision, see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cycletraining

The 2009 event
Now in its third year, this enormously popular event will give thousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities the chance to take over some of London's most famous streets as vehicular traffic is banished for the day.

The route enable cyclists to pass some of London's most famous landmarks whilst pedalling along Victoria Embankment, against a backdrop of the Thames, accompanied by hundreds of fellow cyclists. This year's event also sees the route expanded to include an exciting new loop through the City of London, with riders passing St Paul's Cathedral and riding through the heart of city's financial district.

The Mayor of London's Skyride Hounslow
9th August - 11am - 4pm

August 9th 2009 sees Londoners being asked to join the first of a new series of local cycling events. As a preview to the main Mayor of London's Skyride central London route taking place September 20th, this event is a chance for those living in West London (with relatively low rates of regular cyclists per head of population) take part in a smaller, traffic free cycling event.

The Mayor of London's Skyride Hounslow route will be around 10km long and open and free of traffic from 11am until 4pm... highlights along the route include:

* Osterley Park House, a wonderful Grade 1 listed mansion, with its beautiful woodland area * Syon House, a 'four-square' mansion built around 1550 * Spring Grove and Riverside Conservation Areas * Isleworth's historic wharf

Led Rides
For both the main event in September, and ther Hounslow event, there will be experienced cyclists to guide the less exoerienced attendees from central locations in their home boroughs into the closed off route and home again.

The Hounslow "led rides" start from Feltham Railway Station; Bushy Park - Teddington; Ealing Town Hall; Barra Hill Park and Ravenscourt Park.

The Ride Leaders are specially trained and will escort attendees through to the main traffic free route.