Re-inventing the wheel – is bicycling the future?

On 5 October London Transport Museum will host a debate to examine what role the bicycle could play in London's transport system and whether it really is the future.

Guest chair for the evening is BBC London radio's Robert Elms who will host the debate and then offer members of the audience a chance to quiz the panel.

London Transport Museum director Sam Mullins said, "The debate will examine what might change travel behaviours to broaden the popular buy-in to the bicycle for future city travel.

“Panellists will look at whether cycling can open new opportunities to people who never thought they could live without their car. They will be asking if technology and innovations can help cyclists to safely integrate with other road users and pedestrians and ask if a significant transport innovation is just around the corner?

“Cycling is certainly back in fashion and the launch of the Barclays cycle hire scheme has raised many people's awareness, not least my own! We are delighted to have such high profile speakers including Richard Thorpe, inventor of the Go-cycle, and Mike Rutherford, the highly respected motoring journalist, with some strong opinions on what the future of transport should look like."

Other panellists include London Assembly Member and environmentalist Jenny Jones and David Hargreaves from the cycling division of City of London Police.

The debate will start at 6.30pm at the Cubic Theatre at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden - full details are on the London.gov.uk site.

The event is part of the Story of London Festival, which runs from 1-10 October.