Mission of Regent’s Park Cyclists (RPC)
Our mission is to promote and develop the continued growth of all types of cycling within Regent’s Park
Whether you are an Olympian, a Paralympian, a serious club or sports rider, a commuter, or as a leisurely weekend rider, the objective of Regent’s Park Cyclists is to promote your continued safe usage of Regent’s Park’s road and cycle ways.
Cycling in Regent’s Park
The core vision of Regent’s Park Cyclists is to support Regent’s Park as a premier open space for responsible cyclists, consistent with the best practice of other major urban parks
Regent’s Park is one of London’s premier ‘green’ open spaces. In addition to accommodating a wide range of users who regularly visit its attractions, Regent’s Park also incorporates two road ‘circles’ which provide the only continuous sections of roadway in North London that cyclists can enjoy in safety, away from busy and dangerous urban traffic. These more accessible roads attract cyclists of all ages and abilities who can effectively share the resources of the Park with other users. Our vision of Regent’s Park is to support its development as a premier open space for responsible cyclists, consistent with the best practice of other major urban parks, such as Central Park in New York or Centennial Park in Sydney.
Mayoral Goals and 2012 Legacy
London is attempting to achieve goals established by the Mayor of London’s promotion of cycling in the capital and also build on the sports legacy established by the 2012 Olympic Games. The goals and legacy exist to expand public-health benefits for London’s urban population, consolidate London’s identity as a global city, and also encourage grass-root development of promising athletes of all ages and abilities – from casual users of ‘Boris Bikes’, to outstanding competitors like the many club riders who actively train in the park, to world-class talents like Sir Bradley Wiggins. Regent’s Park plays an extraordinarily important role in this expansion of cycling. It provides one of the very few safe venues for the widest range of cycling activities in the Capital.
Rider awareness and Improved Safety
While in general the lack of road space in London is particularly problematic, most of the time the wide road-ways of Regent’s Park can safely accommodate all kinds of road users. At certain times road-ways in Regent’s Park can become congested and we recognise that everyone, cyclist included, have to act in a safe, respectful and courteous manner.
In this regard RPC actively attempts to raise awareness of related issues. For example, even though the incidence of cyclists passing through red-lights in the Park has decreased markedly in recent years, RPC has initiated a campaign to further reduce this illegal behaviour. RPC has also developed a Rider Guide for cycling in the Park, which provides information on such things as the best times of the day to ride, best etiquette when riding in groups, among other issues related to public health and safety.
Working together with Regent’s Park Stakeholders
There has been informal and fragmented dialogue for some years between the more active cyclists in the Park and other related stakeholders, such as the Royal Parks, Police and residents. Given the further increase of cycling and potential changes to the road-ways in the Park, the Regent’s Park Cyclists represents a collective voice for cyclists in Regent’s Park. RPC will continue to socialise issues relating to cycling in the Park and maintain a constructive, engaged presence in the ongoing consultations.