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Participants at the 2023 Ford RideLondon FreeCycle

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01-05-2024
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Landmark 10th edition of Ford RideLondon FreeCycle now open for registration

Landmark 10th edition of Ford RideLondon FreeCycle now open for registration

  • Register for the 10th edition of inspirational Ford RideLondon FreeCycle on Sunday 26 May
  • Route includes eight miles of traffic-free roads in central London, including Piccadilly and the iconic Mall
  • Festival Zones to offer support and entertainment on the route
  • Bigger Ford RideLondon HUB at Trafalgar Square with activations across the weekend

Registration is now open for the 10th edition of Ford RideLondon FreeCycle, the biggest free inspirational bike ride in the UK, on Sunday 26 May.

The hugely popular event offers riders of all ages, abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to ride on eight miles of traffic-free roads past some of London’s most famous landmarks.

The FreeCycle route, which features the Bank of England, Piccadilly, Pall Mall, Somerset House, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Victoria Embankment and The Mall, enables riders to enter the course at numerous points to enjoy the landmark sights.

Register for Ford RideLondon FreeCycle here.

Returning in 2024 will be the hugely successful Ford RideLondon HUB at Trafalgar Square, which will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Created in partnership with Greater London Authority and Westminster City Council, it’s based at the heart of the FreeCycle route and offers free entertainment and bike-centric activities for everyone to enjoy.

Confirmed for 2024 are:

  • The Extreme Mountain Bike Show – with UCI Junior World Champion Oli Weightman
  • BMX/Slopestyle Show
  • London-based artists, community choirs, and DJs
  • Street performers, including Bicycle Ballet and Bicycle Bistro

There will also be a variety of food and drink options, including a healthy eating mix of London street food. The Met Police will also be on site to promote cycle-specific road safety.

Two Festival Zones will be available to enjoy on the route, at St Paul’s Churchyard and Aldwych/The Strand. Doubling up as rest stops, the Zones offer bike maintenance support, and there will be street performers, face painting, catering concessions and inclusive open cycle sessions.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of Ford RideLondon, said: “Ford RideLondon FreeCycle is a unique day when our great capital city celebrates cycling in all its forms. It’s a great day out for all ages, abilities and backgrounds and perfect for families. It is a wonderful way to enjoy cycling at leisure on traffic-free roads past our world-famous landmarks.

“Whether it’s riding a bike to school or work or simply going for a spin around the block, cycling offers an opportunity for everyone to support their mental and physical wellbeing, and do their bit for the planet as well. I’m sure Ford RideLondon FreeCycle will continue to inspire generations of future cyclists.”

Julie Dixon, Head of Information, Design and Partnerships at Transport for London (TfL) said: “An integral part of Ford RideLondon, London’s annual festival of cycling, FreeCycle takes place on Sunday 26 May and offers Londoners of all ages and abilities an opportunity to cycle through eight miles of traffic-free streets and enjoy the capital’s many famous landmarks. FreeCycle helps to increase participation in cycling among all Londoners, including diverse groups and families.”

Ford RideLondon FreeCycle runs between 10:00 and 15:00 on Sunday 26 May, with the Festival Zones closing at 16:00.

FreeCycle is for everyone and it’s not necessary to own a bike to take part. TfL’s Santander Cycles will be available to hire at docking stations across the city with bikes serviced throughout the day. Find a TfL Santander Cycle docking station.

Ford RideLondon FreeCycle is part of the world’s greatest festival of cycling, with three other mass participation rides taking place on traffic-free roads through London and Essex as part of the festival on Sunday 26 May: the Ford RideLondon-Essex 100, 60 and 30. Entries are open here.

Since the RideLondon festival of cycling was created as an Olympic legacy event in 2013, more than 500,000 participants have taken part and it has inspired more than 150,000 new or lapsed cyclists to cycle more often. The rides are open to all cycles, including e-bikes, and is a showcase for cycling as well as active travel.

Following FreeCycle, round off the weekend by watching the conclusion of the Ford RideLondon Classique, a three-day UCI Women’s WorldTour stage race (Friday 24 May to Sunday 26 May). The best women’s cyclists in the world will race through Essex and London, with the final stage held on a central London circuit beginning at 15:30. The race will feature a number of 2024 Olympic Games hopefuls, with the Olympic cycling events starting in Paris on Saturday 27 July.