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Great Divide ride in Barnet on 25 March to highlight how major roads can split communities

Ride also supports of London Cycling Campaign's Love London, Go Dutch initiative...

London Cycling Campaign (LCC) is urging cyclists to join a ‘Great Divide’ ride a week on Sunday, organised by its branch in the Borough of Barnet, which aims to underline how local communities can become divided by major roads – in this case, the A406, better known as the North Circular.

The ride, which starts at 10am on Sunday 25 March from New Southgate tube station, will be marshalled, also backs LCC’s Love London, Go Dutch campaign. Full details are available on the Barnet Cycling Campaign website.

It will cross the North Circular a number of times to highlight how the road effectively splits the borough in two, presenting “a formidable barrier” to those who want to travel by bike there, as the following video from Barnet Cycling Campaign shows.

David Shannon, Barnet Cycling Campaign co-ordinator commented: "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,” he continued.

"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."

Mike Cavenett of LCC added: "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, which will finish with a picnic in the “secret park” in the middle of the Staples Corner roundabout, follows other high-profile protest rides held in London in recent months including those at Blackfriars Bridge and, more recently, Parliament Square.

Meanwhile, LCC is holding the ‘Big Ride’ on Saturday 28 April in support of the Love London, Go Dutch campaign and ahead of the mayoral election a few days later on 3 May.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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musicalmarc | 12 years ago
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I ride over Henleys corner everyday and I can't say it's been a problem. I travel during rush hour and it's usually queued 300m back up toward Finchley so I just cruise past carefully on the outside. I have more trouble with the schools over the other side of the 406. Cars suddenly pulling over to drop kids off or car doors being swung open. The other junctions look horrible though.

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OldRidgeback | 12 years ago
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I pass by that way sometimes on my motorbike on my way to the Ace Cafe, or on my way north in the car. I don't feel very safe on my motorbike or in the car as there is a lot of lane switching in a short distance due to the heavy congestion and the junction design and I certainly wouldn't wish to risk it as it is on any of my bicycles. A redesign would be a great idea.

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WolfieSmith | 12 years ago
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Brent Cross flyover on a bike?! You risk your life in a car. I hope this campaign sees some success. Best of luck!

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