May 2026 Newsletter
In this month's newsletter we have:
Streets for Cycling - one week to go!
Updates from Westminster's cycle lanes
Monday, May 11th at 6.30pm - our next meeting in Church Street NW8
Final week to tell election candidates we need a safe cycle network in Westminster
A big thank you to everyone who's already taken the Streets for Cycling action, and called on our candidates to commit to expanding our cycle network.
But just what would that look like?
Safe streets for cycling would mean:
Every child can ride to school
Every family can pedal to the park
Every adult can reach the high street or work
More specifically, in Westminster we need:
More high priority cycle routes running east-west across the West End - even more urgent as cycling is banned on a pedestrianised Oxford Street
Our cycle network should also provide safe, direct cycle connections between the river crossings in the South, Pimlico and the West End to Paddington, St Johns Wood and on into Kilburn and Hampstead to the North
If you haven't taken the action and would like streets for cycling in Westminster, click below to email the candidates.
Who's pledged in Westminster?
Early in our campaign, Labour Leader Adam Hug pledged to build a safe, connected cycle network across Westminster. Thank you!
We are awaiting other pledges. You can see who's pledged in Westminster here.
If you're yet to take the Streets for Cycling action, it's simple to do:
Write a short paragraph:
Share your experience of cycling in Westminster,
and say thank you to candidates who have already pledged.
Your paragraph is added to LCC's email and sent to the candidates.
Already taken the action? Brilliant! We only ask that you keep sharing it with friends, family, and anyone who you think would want to voice support for a cycle friendly Westminster or elsewhere in London.
Updates from Westminster's cycle lanes
Bayswater Road
Back in January we asked you to support the consultation proposing protected cycling on Bayswater Road. Thanks for your tremendous response!
The consultation for the improvements on Bayswater Road closed on 4th February with well over 2,500 responses. We were pleased to read in the latest issue of the local SEBRA News W2 magazine, that cabinet member for streets, Max Sullivan, reported that: “Most of the responses to the consultation were supportive – a majority of all respondents, a majority of those providing a Westminster postcode, and a majority of those providing a postcode in the SEBRA wards of Bayswater, Lancaster Gate and Hyde Park”.
It seems the consultaiton proposals were rather more popular with local residents than some expected!
Carla tours new local Westminster infrastructure
Westminster Cycling Campaign invites people to share their opinion on cycling in the borough for our website.
Our inaugural guest writer is Carla Francome, who works in Westminster and has been sussing out the new infrastructure in the borough.
Next meeting on Monday, May 11th at 6.30pm
We will be discussing how we promote our Streets for Cycling campaign with the new administration at Westminster Council.
Venue: Triangle Studios at 66 Church St, London NW8 8EU.
WCC meetings are normally 18.30 for an hour on the first Monday of the month. Because of the bank holiday, we will hold the May meeting on May 11th and then back to normal on June 1st. Arrangements for our June meeting will be confirmed in due course or e-mail westminster@lcc.org.uk.
We are always ready to welcome more active members so if you’re a Westminster cyclist (resident, cycle commuter or just a regular visitor) who would like to make cycling better, email westminster@lcc.org.uk to see how you can get involved.
Church Street Cycle Saturdays
May 2nd at 2pm
Our next ride is on the bank holiday weekend, Saturday May 2nd. These are aimed at families with kids and also for adults who want to learn new routes in the neighbourhood and get more confidence. Bring your own bike to join in. There is a Dr Bike available that day held in conjunction with the Church Street Repair event at the same time. It may be possible to borrow a bike from Westminster Wheels - please book ahead for Cycle Saturdays here.
Church Street Cycle Saturdays is on the 1st Saturday of every month in the spring and summer, meeting at Westminster Wheels, Church Street NW8.
Invite other Westminster residents to get our newsletter
There’s a web link to join this newsletter mailing list below, so please do share it with your local Westminster networks and communities (WhatsApp groups, residents' associations, local businesses etc).
Sign-up link to the Westminster Cycling Campaign newsletter:
https://lcc.civiplus.net/ssp/subscribe-westminster-cycling-campaign-newsletter
You don't have to be an LCC member to sign up!
The numbers cannot be ignored: over 200,000 people routinely cycle through the city centre—that’s roughly half the volume of daily tube riders. Our borough sees particularly huge ridership. With cyclists outnumbering cars 2-to-1 in the Square Mile and nearby surrounds, this means less traffic and less pollution for a safer, cleaner Westminster. This matters for residents: nearly two-thirds of Westminster households do not own a car. Safe walking and cycling routes aren't just "perks"—they are necessities for our community.
Many thanks,
Mark
Westminster Cycling Campaign