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Hundreds of London cyclists are expected to participate in five separate bike rides into central London, which will converge in Trafalgar Square at the height of the morning rush hour.
Responding to the August 1st Dump the Pump protest by pro-motoring organisations against fuel taxes, the cyclists will be inviting motorists to save money, time and the frustrations of rush-hour traffic, by leaving their cars altogether and enjoying the joys of pedal power.
The Dump the Pump for Good cycling event is described by its organisers as A fun, festive, fuel-free, stress-free, virtually cost-free and above all enjoyable ride.
The motorists Dump the Pump campaign has been encouraging motorists to register their protest at current levels of fuel taxes by boycotting petrol stations on August 1st. The campaign has been promoted by The Sun and Daily Mail as a protest organised over the internet by Britains beleagured motorists (www.boycott-the-pumps.com).
However, Dump the Pump is believed to have strong connections with the asphalt-the-whole-country organisation the Association of British Drivers (ABD www.abd.org.uk).
To combat the ABDs views the environmental pressure group Transport 2000 has produced a briefing (www.transport2000.demon.co.uk), arguing that the costs of motoring have fallen steeply over several decades, and
that motoring taxes are far short of the costs which motoring imposes on
society.
The Dump the Pump for Good bike rides are likely to be similar in style
to the Critical Mass rides which have continued to take place in London on the last Friday evening of every month for the past six years, and in other cities around Britain, the USA and many other countries.
The rides will each set off at 7.30am, from the following start points:
North London: Highbury Fields (nr Highbury Corner); East London: London
Fields, Hackney (by Pub on the Park); South East London: Peckham High
Street, opposite northern end of Peckham Rye; South West London: Clapham Common (south side, next to Windmill Inn); West London: Shepherds Bush Green.
