LCC video calls on cyclists to join its Big Ride the weekend after next (+ video)

London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has released a video ahead of its Big Ride the weekend after next, which calls on candidates in the mayoral election five days later to back its Love London, Go Dutch campaign and put the safety of cyclists at the heart of their policies. The same day, Saturday 28 April, will also see rides calling for the roads to be made safer for cyclists take place in Edinburgh and Rome.

The LCC’s video shows a cross-section of London cyclists explain why they feel it is important for those who run the city to adopt the approach taken in the Netherlands, accompanied by statistics showing the levels of cycling there among groups such as commuters, schoolchildren and the over-50s.

With more than 30,000 people having now pledged their support to the LCC’s initiative, Love London, Go Dutch is its most widely backed campaign ever, and thousands of cyclists are expected to turn out on the ride, which is billed as being “a fun event with a serious message.”

Saturday 28 April will also see cyclists in Edinburgh take part in the Pedal on Parliament to deliver an eight-point manifesto in support of cycling. Riders are invited to gather at The Meadows at 2pm for a 3pm start.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Italian capital, Rome, have grated special dispensation to allow a ride to take place there in support of the Salva I Ciclisti (Save The Cyclists) initiative launched by bloggers and subsequently endorsed by La Gazzetta dello Sport in February, inspired by The Times newspaper’s Cities Fit For Cycling campaign.