Forum Topic

Prudential Ride London 2019

So people are already being heavily inconvenienced thanks to Hammersmith Bridge being closed, so why don't we cause more chaos by shutting down Putney High St and the A3 for the day?

Daniel Francis ● 2673d16 Comments

I think the healthy option will be to go away for the weekend!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2673d

Can you imagine the howls of protest if half of London streets were closed for an F1 Grand Prix?

Simon Knight ● 2673d

I think that I prefer the Imprudential London Bike Ride:-(Look away now)https://www.totallycoolpix.com/magazine/2016/11/the-best-weird-and-wonderful-photos-of-2016/single/87396/

David Ainsworth ● 2673d

I'd be happy with an F1 race as well as the Pru bikes (although probably best on different circuits 😉). The tubes and trains still run? Only issue with F1 is the roads are probably closed for 5 or 6 days for the setup, practice and restoration. Still, Formula E is coming the the Excel centre, Docklands July 20 - I seem to remember one of the problems when Fe was at Battersea Park was the time taken to set up and restore the park?

Michael Ixer ● 2673d

I have never been a fan of F1. In these days of climate emergency it seems a tragic squandering of hydrocarbons. Bring on the cyclists. PHS is a delight without motor vehicles and of course air pollution levels spike dramatically downwards. Plenty of time to plan round the road closures just as there is every year.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2673d

I take on board the comments, I too am indifferent to F1 (I used it as an example), but it seems to me that London is brought to a vitual standstill far too often by groups (minority or otherwise) who are only interested in their own agenda.

Simon Knight ● 2673d

just imagine all the money tfl would make from the speeding fines!seriously though, why not divert the cyclists over hammersmith bridge instead of Putney? (no idea if this is practicable)

Adam Tripp ● 2673d

"why not divert the cyclists over hammersmith bridge instead of Putney? (no idea if this is practicable)"Not sure. Cyclists wobble. They might cause "synchronous lateral excitation" to the bridge.

David Ainsworth ● 2673d

Not much notice what about people who work in the High Street, etc. How do they get into work. Why not have a car day without a single bike anywhere.

Barbara Stevens ● 2673d

Big chunks of London are closed all of the time for various things:-* London Marathon / Big Half Marathon / Landmarks Half / Winter 10k / etc* Prudential Freecycle (the day before the Prudential Ride)* Protest marchesWe've had F1 cars in London too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWcYU8lOKBECan you imagine the howls of protest if London's streets were never allowed to be closed for people to enjoy things that happen not to interest you?

Alex Greenbank ● 2673d

...not to mention gay pride, extinction rebellion etc.Point is it's not about whether these things happen to interest me or not it's the fact that chunks of London highways are regularly closed to motorists who are actually trying to make a living. It's becoming ridiculous.

Simon Knight ● 2673d

I’m with Jonathan. One day of good air on the High Street and high street without car traffic is great. I am sure most of you are more delayed and inconvenienced by daily traffic jams than you are by one day of a cycle race (or other central London road closures). We sold our car years ago, joined a car club, and I can honestly say got rid of huge stress and cost that goes with having your own car in London. Now even easier to get around with google, Citymapper and a bunch of other apps.  If you are unable to use alternative forms of transport or do not wish to, then think about how you can persuade your friends and family  to swap their cars for car clubs, walking and (gasp) cycling. More room for you!

Ruth Pates ● 2672d

Ruth the problem is people go on holiday or coming home from holiday this time of the year, why not do it in winter not when the children have broken up from school. Also one year it took us we got caught out trying to get home and tried going a different way. Just from Lillie Rd 3hrs to get home by going over Hammersmith Bridge. Now what about all your emissions.

Barbara Stevens ● 2672d

I wonder how the citizens of Monaco feel about having their roads closed a couple of times a year ... does David Coulthard has a whinge on the local website about not being able to drive from his penthouse to the Casino 'cause those hair dryers of Formula E have closed the roads today?

Michael Ixer ● 2672d

Michael, as funny as it may seem, we are a major route for Ambulances, fire engines, and the police.

Barbara Stevens ● 2672d

For 364 days people can happily clog up and pollute local roads until their hearts are content.  For just one day - just ONE (and the same one every year) - the roads are closed for a few hours to allow 25,000 cyclists to raise millions of pounds for charity at a joyful event.  Don't like it? - treat yourself to a weekend away,  stay in and watch a boxset, take public transport if you really need to.  If you really can't manage a few hours without getting in your vehicle,  then just accept you're going to sit in it for a lot longer.

Craig Fordham ● 2672d