These are being held on the same day - Thursday 10 June 2004. Here are short statements from each GLA candidate parties for GLA elections:

Andy Martin, Liberal Democrat GLA Candidate, Merton and Wandsworth:

"I am of the view that cycling is absolutely fundamental to travel and life in London. In days where we are concerned with the impact of traffic on the environment and obesity with children and adults alike - cycling provides a real alternative.

"More than a quarter of school children are driven less than a mile to school at a time when obesity levels among adults in England are rising remorselessly. Statistics show that if all the children driven less than a mile to school decided to cycle instead those children could shed 1.2 million stone.

"There are a couple of easy steps we can make to encourage cycling. These include the provision of a network of clear delineated cycling lanes - with colour coded signage; an increase in the number of secure covered bike racks and improved knowledge for the wider community about cycling safety. Cycling doesn't just improve the quality of life for the rider - it makes a difference for everyone".

Conservative GLA candidate, Elizabeth Howlett, Green GLA candidate, Roy Vickery and Labour GLA candidate, Kathryn Smith: have not received them yet - hope to have their statements posted on the website soon. Apologies.

Buoyed by the success of congestion charging, London Mayor Ken Livingstone has promised 20 mph restrictions on most London roads if he is re-elected in this year's mayoral election.

The first 'Wandle Trail arts programme' viewing platform has got planning permission, for the site of the confluence of the R.Graveney with the R.Wandle. It will have a fully accessible ramp from the Wandle Trail to the platform. Hopefully, if funds allow, it will be installed this year. Two replacement bridges in Ravensbury Park will also be installed this year. We are talking with the National Trust about how to make the crossing from MHP to Ravensbury Park safer for cyclists going south.

A Wandle Bike ride (possibly 2) will be held as part of bike week (more details to follow). Sustrans are hosting a London to Eden Trailblaze in September, leaving Westminster on the 11th Sep, hoping to have Ken Livingstone send us off! Arrival at the Eden project is Sunday 18th Sep. Sustrans have details.

Cyclists who ride from Wimbledon to Putney will have been pleased to see this letter in the Wimbledon Guardian from Merton Cycling Campaign member Dianne Norton. It's good to have this publicity for the obvious sense of allowing cyclists to use the path running parallel to the road.

It is now a number of years since this was first identified and mapped by the Council as a route to be implemented, and, following Dianne's letter we asked what progress was being made.

Merton's Cycling Officer has told us that: The routes for 2004/5 have already been agreed by Transport for London, but this route can be included in the bid document for 2005/6. So far no feasibility or design work has been carried out on this route and no authorisation has been sought from the Commons Conservators. This will be undertaken when suitable Borough Spending Plan or other funding becomes available.

The Clarencourt Cycling Club was formed in Colliers Wood some seventy six years ago, and is still going strong. The name Clarencourt was derived from the fact that its members met each Sunday mornings for their rides to the Country and South coast, meeting early in the morning at the junction of Clarendon and Courtney Roads, Colliers Wood.

Any further details of the club can be obtained from the Secretary, Mick Ayliffe, Clarencourt Cycling Club, 66 Fieldsend Road, Cheam, Surrey. Phone 020 8644 9297.