Workers bike the strike

Thursday June 11, 2009

Two wheels were better than none this morning (Thursday, 11 June) as office workers beat the tube strike by cycling to work.

As the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union brought the tube to a standstill for a second day running, dozens of hardy residents switched to a ‘bike tube’ to beat the transport chaos.

The bike tube works by protecting a group of cyclists with an expert rider at the front and back of the formation. No cyclist is left behind and the whole group is guided and protected through London’s busy roads. If one of the group lags behind everyone stops so that the whole tube remains together.

The bike tube was organised by H&F Cyclists – the local branch of the London Cycling Campaign. John Griffiths, H&F Cyclists Chairman, says: “We have seen a surge in cycling over the past few days and we want that to continue.

“Cycling is better than taking the bus or a tube, even when there are no public transport strikes. It is quite often faster and is definitely more relaxing and healthy than driving or cramming yourself on to a packed train.”

Three million Londoners use the tube network everyday and the 48-hour RMT walkout is bringing travel disruption to all corners of the capital. Nine lines are affected and many roads are gridlocked. The dispute is over pay, jobs and disciplinary issues.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Environment, “36 per cent of the borough’s workers travel by tube – which is the highest proportion in London. This makes the strike a significant problem for many residents but the vast majority did find alternative ways to get to work this morning.”

For more information about cycling in Hammersmith & Fulham visit our Walking and Cycling web page or call Simon Franklin on 020 8753 3353.