Redbridge Cycle Circuit Opened

News Posted: 19th August 2008

 

Mayor opens cycling centre for 2012 hopefuls

 

We've got our first images of Boris Johnson opening the brand-new Redbridge Cycling Centre, and will be bringing you more on the circuit in the near future. In the meantime, here are a few images of a very welcome day of progress in cycling facilities in the area. The official press release from the day is below.

Above and below - credit to Boris for giving it a go. It's rare we get interest in cycling from a politician who actually has the cycling credentials to back it up!

Above, the real beneficiaries will of course be the local people and more specifically the young riders who can enjoy traffic free cycling at a state of the art new facility

Symbolic moment time - with Cllr Mrs Loraine Sladden and Lee Scott, the Ilford MP looking on, Boris hands the circuit over to a young cyclist

 

Cyclists now have the perfect facility to capture the enthusiasm of Great Britain's medal haul and improve it further in 2012 after the Mayor of London Boris Johnson today opened Redbridge Cycling Centre.

He was joined by Commissioner for Sport Kate Hoey and Sydney gold medallist Jason Queally in trying out the state of the art £4.5m centre which was built by the London Development Agency (LDA) for community and competition use.

The facility, comprising a 2km circuit and off-road trail, is the first piece of physical sporting legacy in London linked to 2012 and replaces Eastway Cycle Circuit which is being turned into the VeloPark for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. After 2012, the VeloPark will return to community use meaning London will have two of the best cycling facilities in the country.

At the opening, people received free coaching by British Cycling through the LDA's Summer of Sport (SoS) programme. SoS offers more than 600 free sporting events across London to increase sport activity in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Redbridge Cycling Centre's 2km circuit and off road trail can be split into mini circuits to allow for multiple racing at the same time. The facility, which is run by Redbridge Council, also has a state of the art pavilion containing six changing rooms, a gym floor, function rooms and a cycling workshop containing around 100 bikes that are available for public use.

Redbridge Cycling Centre is a replacement for Eastway Cycle Circuit which is being turned into the VeloPark for the 2012 Games.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:

"Cycling is a fantastic way to travel - it's good for the environment, it's good for the health and it's good for the wallet.

"The opening of the Redbridge Centre could not have happened at a better time - this being London's 'summer of cycling'. One of my key ambitions as Mayor is to see London become a real cycling city by encouraging the estimated 1.1 million Londoners who own bikes but don't use them regularly to get back in the saddle.

"So now there's no excuse because not only is this superb facility the place to come to practice your cycling skills and if you don't own a bike they'll lend you one - just turn up and pedal."

Peter Rogers, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency, said:

"The LDA is committed to delivering an 2012 legacy now and I am delighted by the amount of interest we have already had from young people wanting to use this centre. We hope the medals in Beijing will have a similar effect on cycling that Wimbledon has on tennis participation and people will take advantage of this wonderful facility.

"Redbridge Cycle Circuit is an example of how the LDA is working with the boroughs to deliver lasting benefits to London.

"We have helped everyone to relocate from the Olympic Park site including Eastway Cycle Circuit which is being turned into the VeloPark. After the Games, it will go back into community use meaning London will have a new cycling centre."

Peter King, Chief Executive of British Cycling:

"British Cycling is pleased to join the opening of the Redbridge Cycling Centre which will provide a first class facility to encourage community and competition participation in cycling. It provides a fantastic traffic free facility to introduce young people into cycle racing through our Go-Ride programme and local club network.

"The LDA and British Cycling have worked closely together to ensure that the best possible solution was found in the interim period between the closure of Eastway and this opening, and we look forward to a thriving coaching and competition scene here for many years to come.

"The GB Cycling Team in Beijing are achieving incredible success, and facilities such as the Redbridge Cycling Centre will help the sport of cycling grow in the future and underpins the future success of our elite athletes."