Car Free Day in Wimbledon Hill Road revealed what fun Wimbledon Town Centre could be without motor traffic. MCC were able to inform many on the benefits of cycling and everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere with the farmers market, magicians, acrobats and much more.

Join our friendly family rides on the last Sunday of each month for a leisurely pedal around the parks and pubs of Merton and surrounding boroughs. Lots of stops at playgrounds, 10 – 15 miles at most. Sunday 29^th September Sunday 27^th October Sunday 24^th November 10.30 outside Wimbledon Station.

Do you want to join us at our monthly meetings on Wednesday evenings at Aylward Road in Merton Park. Please give us a ring for details of how you can help.

Morden – Thornton Heath in 35 minutes!

This might not sound like much of a feat to the lycra clad, goggle-wearing fraternity but for me on my comfortable 7-speed, thief-proof (partly cos I painted it myself), lady hybrid racer/shopper from the 80s, it is a satisfying achievement. I have to be honest and say that if I leave the house before 7.15 the car is still faster, but anytime after 7.30 and the car journey can take me 40 minutes or more through the thick of the Mitcham bottleneck. Not only can I say I have five minutes in hand but I thoroughly enjoy my route through Morden Hall Park, along Church Road, down the Windy Blows onto Commonside East.

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Research on 'Cycling and urban mode choice ' was carried out between 1997-9 by M R Wardman, C A Nash, M R Tight and M W Page. This research aimed to increase understanding of the degree to which various factors influence the level of cycling in the UK. The methodology adopted was behavioural choice modelling to identify the importance of travel attributes and personal circumstances relevant to making choices. The study used a combination of revealed preference and stated preference techniques to obtain the data. Results showed a range of factors to be important in increasing the propensity to cycle (excluding those who would never consider cycling), including improved cycle facilities on the street, parking and changing facilities at work, social pressures, ability, danger and tiredness. Figures on the relative importance are provided. Forecasts showed that even in the extreme case where segregated facilities are provided for a complete journey to work only 7.3% of commuters are forecast to cycle. Payment for cycling to work is shown to have large impact on the demand for cycling. A payment of 2 pounds per day nearly doubles the amount of cycling. The results are expected to be of considerable use to local authorities and others responsible for implementing government aims to increase the amount of cycle use as part of their integrated transport strategy.