Greenwich Council has agreed to close key roads through Greenwich town-centre for a major festival on Saturday 22 September.

Known as 'Road Works' the festival will have plenty of 'diversions' (geddit? - ed) such as a massive free Japanese barbecue, cycle events and training, refreshments and market stalls, a garden on King William Walk, music, dancing, a carnival procession, and much more. Road Works is certain to draw huge numbers of visitors. The day will combine the celebrations of European Car Free Day and London Open House, when the doors to many of Greenwich's buildings are thrown open to the public.

On the day itself, the northern arm of Greenwich one-way system, College Approach and King William Walk, will be closed to motor-traffic from 6am to 7pm. The rest of the one-way system will be converted to two-way traffic. Cars will be discouraged but buses will flow. The Council carefully measure the effects on local residents, traders, atmospheric and noise pollution, and of course on roads elsewhere.

Car free day has a long history. Last year, some 600 mainland Europe towns and cities participated. Whole areas of Paris, Berlin, Rome and Madrid could be safely explored on foot. Many rediscovered the sheer joy of walking or cycling in safer, cleaner, quieter parts of the city. A number of UK towns, cities and villages joined in, including Seven Dials in Covent Garden, Coldharbour Lane in Brixton, and The Cut in Waterloo.

In Covent Garden, shops and stalls spilled out into the calmed streets. Brixton saw al-fresco hair-cutting, music, dancing and bike events for all. Waterloo had a 30 stall French Market, street theatre and artists from the new Tate Modern creating art works on the street.

Surveys after last year's London events showed 90% in favour. Traders generally reported increased takings and local residents preferred the noise of people to vehicles. Camden Council measured a cleaner micro-climate and noted the fact that traffic was not simply shoved elsewhere; much of it simply disappeared as people decided to walk.

After gentle lobbying by Greenwich Cyclists, Greenwich Council has taken up Car-Free Day with enthusiasm. Local businesses and organisations have warmed to the idea, residents are being consulted.

Greenwich Cyclists are of course delighted at the success of our lobbying and will be providing much volunteer help. So, although traffic will continue to flow through the World Heritage Site and one of the UK's best town-centres, it will be much reduced. And we, and many others, hope that this is a big step forward towards the comprehensive and permanent pedestrianisation of Greenwich town-centre.

For more information:
* Greenwich Council: 020 8854 0272 www.greenwich.gov.uk
* Greenwich Cyclists: 020 7232 0444 www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk

River front cycle success

Campaigning by Greenwich Cyclists has opened previously undiscovered parts of the Thames riverfront to cyclists. It is now possible to cycle away from traffic along the Thames path along most of the borough's riverfront. One of the last parts of the jigsaw - the section in front of the Dome - was supposed to open by the end of June. We've protested strongly to English Partnerships about the delay, and have been assured by that it will now open by 17 September. We'll be watching carefully - and we plan to ride the newly opened section that evening. Why not join us?.

September in the saddle

Below is our September/October rides programme. Our rides are enjoyable, informative, sociable and fun. All (except as shown) are free to anyone without booking. Most events start from Cutty Sark Gardens (CSG). None of these rides are races - they are paced for all. Distances vary allowing flexibility for the wide range of riders we hope will join us.

On train assisted rides, we leave very soon after the meeting time. Expect help with minor problems like punctures but ensure your bike is roadworthy and bring a pump and a spare inner tube or two. And a swimming gear if the ride goes near the sea.

We'll soon be adding some additional family rides too - check our website for up-to-date list.

Wednesday 5 September: 7.30-9pm: Monthly meeting. Greenwich Forum, 177 Trafalgar Rd, SE10.
Saturday 8 September: 9.30am @ London Bridge station. Dungeness and the Romney Marshes. 40 very flat miles and wonderful landscapes.
Sunday 9 September: Lewisham Cyclists ride to Biggin Hill. 30 undulating miles. Meet 9.30am CSG or 10am Lewisham Library.
Tuesday 11 September: maintenance classes for this and next 3 Wednesdays. Sold out.
Wednesday 12 September: maintenance classes. Sold out.
Wednesday 12 September: Afterworker. 7pm CSG. 10 gentle miles.
Saturday 15 September: Whitstable. Meet 10am CSG for 60 wonderful miles and Rochester lunch. Meet us in Rochester by Mr Tope's cafe (50 metres from cathedral) and get your bike watered. Train home or stay over for
Sunday 16 September: 11am Whitstable Harbour for the 60 mile 12 resort ride to Dover. Loads of beach culture and varied landscapes.
Monday 17 September: 7pm CSG. Is that Dome path open? Afterworker
Saturday 22 September: European Car Free Day: central London (Tower Bridge) and Greenwich one-way system road closures, arts events and carnival parade. Help needed with this big breakthrough.
Wednesday 26 September: 7pm CSG. Afterworker. 10 flat miles somewhere.
Friday 28 September: Critical Mass. South Bank under Waterloo Bridge. Bit political.
Saturday 29 September: 10am Liverpool Street for Southend and Essex explore. 50 flattish miles.
Wednesday 3 October: monthly meeting. Greenwich Forum, 177Trafalgar Road, SE10.
Sunday 7 October: "Ride of the Falling Leaves" for Lavender Trust breast cancer research. A deliberately hilly 70 mile end of summer challenge (with 45 mile option) round the autumnal North Downs and Sevenoaks Weald. Really well signed circular route from Herne Hill velodrome. Meet there 9am. Pasta meal and wine at end is part of the £12 advance/£14 on day entry fee. 020 7226 8765 for advance forms.
Saturday 13 October: 10am CSG: Locks, Docks and one smoking ferry: gentle docklands tour with half and full day options, 12 and 30 miles. Loads to see.

Full rides list at www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk

Cycle to sanity!

If any more proof were needed that riding keeps you sane, a University of California study reveals that women aged 65+ with the highest calorific expenditure 'were 26 percent less likely to develop cognitive decline than those in the quartile who exercised the least.' Even walking a mile a day was calculated to reduce the factor of mental decline by 13%. This latest study is one of several that have pointed to similar mental benefits from exercise. Scientists believe that the increased blood flow to the brain, and the higher stimulus of nerve endings throughout the body are the most likely reasons for this beneficial effect. Clearly you'd be mad not to cycle!

Keep in touch

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P&P Greenwich Cyclists, c/o Greenwich Forum, 177 Trafalgar Rd, SE10