It was a beautiful Spring day for the ride, and being the day after the Easter holiday the traffic was surprisingly light, so there were no problems for our group of eight members in arriving in good time and hitching up to the bike racks discreetly located at the rear of the remarkable GLA building. We couldn’t fail to be impressed by its vast area of glass -and by its somewhat lopsided shape.

After painstaking security checks, our guide took us to the lifts to be whisked up to the very top of the glass pile and into the Deputy Mayor’s office. Here, with its lightness, brightness and bird’s eye view all round nothing could differ more from the traditional concept of a mayor’s "parlour".

Jenny Jones greeted us warmly and with the sincerity of one totally sympathetic to safer cycling and well aware of the wider benefits it could bring to Londoners.

She told us that she is working to get more full time cycling officers appointed so that each borough should have at least one. On traffic policing issues she is concerned that cyclists’ road accidents receive adequate response and follow up - she asked that cyclists who felt they were not so treated to contact her directly.

We told her of our disappointment that the TfL proposal for a contra flow cycle route up Wimbledon Broadway has been put on the back burner by local councillors, and urged her to seek greater powers for TfL over foot dragging of this type.

After a generous hour of Jenny’s time, our guide took us on a fascinating tour of the building. This started at the very large top floor meeting room and its balcony with impressive views of familiar Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast in the now tranquil Pool of London, and less familiar views of the other glass palaces springing up all around. We walked the sloping spiral descent, sneaking views on the way down through glass walls into tucked away offices, down to the Assembly Room with its purple carpet and hyper modern technology. All very impressive - and so different from County Hall!

We emerged into the clear sunshine, pleased after a useful meeting with the Deputy Mayor and a fascinating visit to her glass palace!

Merton Cycling Campaign (MCC) is part of the London Cycling Campaign, and is pleased to offer a programme of cycling related events as part of the nationwide Bike Week, which runs from June 12th to 20th. Entry to all events is free. These events are intended to promote cycling in the Borough of Merton, and are open to anyone interested in local cycling and cycling issues.

The planned programme is:

• Longer Ride. 10am - Starts King George’s Park, Wandsworth. Goes 8 miles to Carshalton Ponds, then back to Morden Hall Park for Lunch, and finally back to King George’s Park for about 14.15 hrs.

• Shorter Ride. 10am. To Morden Hall Park only. Lunch and then back to

King George’s Park.

Members of the MCC will be handing out maps, cycling information, and LCC membership forms, and will be available to talk about the joys and tribulations of cycle commuting and local cycling.

10am - Feeder ride leaves Wimbledon Station. The Bikeweek flagship event with a wide range of events, organised by TfL and the LCC. Experienced cyclists will lead the ride to and from Trafalgar Square using quite roads where possible

7.30 a.m. – Feeder Ride leaves Wimbledon Station. Opportunity to see about 80 MPs depart to Parliament at about 8.45 on the Annual Parliamentary Ride. Light breakfast in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern, up to 9.30 a.m.

All day, outside of Safeways in Wimbledon.

7.30 p.m. – guided ride leaves Wimbledon Station. Cycle through the Park to the Roebuck Pub on Richmond Hill (hopefully to watch the sun set), then return to Wimbledon through the park after sunset. Bring lights.

Starts 8.00pm. Held at 88 Aylward Road. Bring something to put on the BBQ, and meet members of the Merton Cycling Campaign

MCC will have a stall at the Fair, handing out cycling maps and information and goodies. Also an opportunity to bring along your bike for a safety check.

10.30a.m. – guided ride leaves Wimbledon Station and takes quiet roads where possible to Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath, Wandsworth, Clapham, and Tooting Bec. Pub lunch on the way.

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Tuesday 4th May saw our third AGM. In spite of our best efforts to publicise both the AGM and the talk after it, attendance was still disappointingly low: if anyone has any ideas why this should be the case, please let us know! The main item of news from the business part of the meeting was that our borough co-ordinator, Richard Evans, has decided after all not to relinquish the post, much to the relief of everyone present. After pointing out that a certain amount of care has to be exercised in our financial affairs, our treasurer, John Waller, added a vote of thanks to Richard for all his hard work and enthusiasm, which was heartily applauded. A lively question and answer session, largely about problems with speeding traffic in Wimbledon and Morden town centres, ensued.

With the official business out of the way, Matt Adams of Groundwork Merton gave a very interesting and informative talk about the Wandle Valley Trail. After another, longer, Q&A session, most of us adjourned to the Sultan for an excellent pint or two.

All in all, a good evening - I just wish more people had been there to enjoy it!

Monday 10th May saw our joint Merton Cycling Campaign and Wandsworth Cycling Campaign Question Time event which was held in the Wandsworth area. There were five GLA candidates, Tory, ‘new’ Labour, Lib Dem, Green and Respect at the meeting.

During the question event we asked questions about cycling issues such as cycle lanes, speed humps, education, pollution, safetly etc.,which affect both the boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth, as well as some issues such as some London-wide cycling issues such as the congestion charge. The Question Time event went well as the atmosphere was informal and calm despite the wide range of views expressed. At the end most participants headed off to the pub for more discussion and some socialising, which rounded off the evening well with everyone enjoying the opportunity to chat together.