Cycling passions are riding high in Haringey following the borough’s first ever cycling conference. Professionals, lobbyists and enthusiasts came together for the gathering at the Bernie Grants Arts Centre on Thursday, which saw contributions from experts around the world. The 140-strong conference crowd swapped ideas and experiences about what everyone can do to ensure cycling is easy, safe and encouraged in their area.

They heard how simple changes to the street scene can make it easier and safer for cyclists to pass through and how Haringey Council offers residents free cycle training and bike maintenance sessions.

Marianne Weinreich, Chairman of the Cycling Embassy of Denmark, talked about how, through infrastructure and a pro-cycling culture, cycling has become an integral part of people’s lives in the country.

Andrew Gilligan, the Mayor of London’s Cycling Commissioner, talked about how encouraging cycle and improving routes is vital to London’s future and how there are already a number of projects underway to get more Londoners in the saddle.

Other topics included insight into Waltham Forest’s Mini Holland scheme and a recap of TfL’s Cycling Strategy, which includes Cycle Super Highway One - a fast and safe route for cyclists which when completed will stretch from White Hart Lane, Tottenham to Liverpool Street Station.

Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Stuart McNamara, who spoke about Haringey’s commitment to increasing cycling participation, said:

“It was fantastic to see so many people coming together with the aim of improving journeys for cycling and helping more people than ever before to get out on a bike.

“We want Haringey to be a borough where it is safe and easy to cycle and where more people are cycling than ever before.

With the fantastic support of our partners, as well as the introduction of schemes such as Cycle Super Highway One, we are well and truly on the way to making Haringey a cycling-friendly borough.”

The conference was supported by Haringey Cycling Campaign, Parose Projects, Modeshift and Cycle Hoop and sponsored by Ringway Jacobs.