Micromobility vendor TIER has sponsored the return of the parliamentary bike ride, bringing together MPs, experts and advocates for a ride through London.
This year’s event was attended by Trudy Harrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, and former Olympian Chris Boardman, who has just been appointed National Active Travel Commissioner.
TIER’s General Manager for UK and Ireland, Georgia Yexley, told Zag Daily that “the purpose of the bike ride is to bring together decision makers, advocates, and the local community to discuss how the government can broaden access to cycling and active travel.
“Since 2019, micromobility usage has taken off across the UK, so it is important that diverse voices in our industry have the opportunity to align on the development of legislation to encourage continued and safe uptake of active travel across the country.”
The day started at 8am at The Dutch Centre before attendees took to the streets, many of whom rode on TIER’s shared e-bikes.
Speaking at the event, Chris Boardman said: “We now need to change our language to talk about the people who aren’t in this room and what is important to them. And thankfully for us our soap box is so sturdy – you don’t want to give money to Putin for oil? We’ve got a solution for you. You want to save money for the family who’s really worried about the bills? We’ve got a solution. Health? We’ve got a solution, all of these things – and we need to make it visible in a language that other people value.’’
The event was hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) and held in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the UK.
Other speakers included Isabelle Clement (Wheels for Wellbeing), Annette Bennet (Joyriders), Georgia Yexley and Ruth Cadbury MP.
This is the first time since 2019 that the ride has taken place as the previous two were postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Since the 1970s, the APPGCW has worked on a cross-party basis to promote all forms of cycling and walking, working with representatives of organisations in the private, public, and third sectors that share their vision.
