What a day! On Sunday 5 July, a joyful crowd of women and allies rolled out from Camden to join the LCC Women’s Network Freedom Ride 2026 – and the sunshine, colour and camaraderie did not disappoint.
Riders gathered at three pick-up points across the borough: Talacre Gardens, Chalk Farm Bridge, and Cleveland Street, hopping on wherever suited them best. With bikes to borrow for anyone who needed one, and a brilliant team of (mainly women) marshals keeping everyone safe at a welcoming, easy-going pace, there was truly no excuse not to join in.
The Camden feeder ride was brilliantly led by Suna who expertly guided us through the streets of Camden.
The feeder ride wound its way down through the borough, across Chalk Farm, Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park and Bloomsbury before arriving at the National Theatre to join the main Freedom Ride.
Before setting off, we had quick addresses from the LCC Women’s Network who organised the ride and from Caroline Russell, London Assembly Member and Leader of the Green Party group at City Hall, who thanked the campaign for its tireless work – not just calling for safety from traffic, but for safety from aggression and abuse that women too often experience when cycling.
From the National Theatre, the combined ride crossed the river at Westminster Bridge, with the Houses of Parliament rising up ahead of us, before pausing to pay our respects at the statues of two trailblazing women – Emmeline Pankhurst and Ada Lovelace, a fitting nod to the women who paved the way before us.
Bikes were decorated, music was blasting, and the streets of London were, for a little while, full of women and their bikes claiming space and having fun doing it.
After a joyful main ride finishing on the Strand, everyone gathered for a well-earned picnic together – sandwiches, sunshine, and catching up with old and new friends. Then it was time to roll back home to Camden as a group, dropping riders back at their destinations.
Huge thanks to everyone who came along and to our Camden marshals: Suna, Pete, William, Sara, Birgit and Suzanne.
Congratulations to Gönül, the LCC Women’s Network and all the ride assistants for a fun and brilliantly organised afternoon of celebration!
Find out more about the LCC Women’s Network and its excellent campaigning work to break down the barriers that discourage women from cycling.