On Saturday 25 March, cyclists are being urged to join Barnet Cycling Campaign's 'Great Divide' ride to highlight the destructive effect that major highways like the North Circular can have on local communities.
The marshalled bike ride, supporting the principles behind LCC's 'Love London, Go Dutch' campaign, will cross the North Circular Road several times, demonstrating what a formidable barrier it is to those who want to travel around or across the borough of Barnet by bicycle.
David Shannon, Barnet Cycling Campaign coordinator said: "Many people already commute by bike across the A406, but so many more would if these junctions were made safe for cyclists.
"Our 12-mile marshalled ride will allow people to experience in safety the appalling lack of provision for locals and visitors trying to cycle across this vast highway, including the mayor's inadequate redesign of Henlys Corner.
"It seems that little has been learned since the construction of Staples Corner nearly 60 years ago, with the final design of Henlys Corner not even following the simple recommendations for cyclists in TfL's own Safety Audit."
The ride will finish with a picnic at Barnet's 'secret park' in the centre of Staples Corner.
LCC's Mike Cavenett said: "The borough of Barnet is a shocking warning to all Londoners of what the capital could look like if Transport for London and local councils prioritise motor vehicle flows above the needs of all other road users."
The Great Divide ride is the latest in a series of London protest bike rides, which have taken place at Blackfriars, Parliament Square, Archway, and other locations around Greater London, calling for more cycle and people-friendly streets.
The London Cycling Campaign is organising the 'Big Ride' for Saturday 28 April, where tens of thousands of people are expected to gather in central London in support of safer streets for cycling and walking.
