BORIS Johnson wheeled into Hounslow last Friday to promote a huge cycling event coming to the borough this summer.
A special car-free route will be created, taking in Lampton and Syon parks, among other beauty spots, for the Mayor of London's Skyride on August 9.
It will be the first time the 'Freewheel' concept, which allows cyclists of all ages and abilities to enjoy the roads without having to look out for cars and motorbikes, has been rolled out to the suburbs.
A similar event in central London last year attracted 50,000 riders and thousands are expected to descend on the borough.
The Skyride event, sponsored by Isleworth-based broadcaster Sky, is one of a number of activities taking place across the capital this summer to promote cycling.
Mr Johnson visited Hounslow Manor School, in Prince Regent's Road, Hounslow, on Friday afternoon last week. After arriving by car, probably assuming it was safer than catching the tube following the two-day strike, he saddled up and joined students for a few laps around the playground.
“London is a fantastic city to cycle in, but for a plethora of reasons many of us don't do it as much as we would like,” he said. “The Mayor of London's Skyride – Hounslow will be a chance for people to get on their bikes and enjoy a ride through some fantastic green spaces free from the interference of cars, which can sometimes be off-putting.”
He added that Hounslow had been chosen as the location because council chiefs had been so keen to promote cycling by hosting the event, hinting that it could be next in line for one of the much-vaunted cycle superhighways.
Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of Hounslow Council, said he was Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of Hounslow council, said he was looking forward to giving people the chance to discover more of the borough.
“As well as show-casing our fantastic green spaces, this is a chance to show local cyclists – and would-be cyclists – just how easy it is to get around the borough on two wheels,” he added.
