Cycle to Cannes and the LCC call on designers to submit plans that could provide a catalyst for a more ‘civilised city’

Two leading cycling bodies are calling on architects to submit designs that could transform London into a cycle friendly city.

The Cycle to Cannes charity and the London Cycling Campaign are studying how cycling can have a positive impact on London’s built environment.


Portland Place
David Morley architects design for Portland Place

As part of the project C2C is asking architects, planners and designers to submit concepts for improving public space. These would be displayed at the Freewheel bike ride on 21 September in the Transport for London exhibition space.

The groups are hoping to show the plans to London mayor Boris Johnson before displaying them at the New London Architecture Centre as well as on the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV website.

LCC director Koy Thomson said in an interview with ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV: "We're not trying to expel car drivers. We're trying to turn streets into shared spaces where the traffic slows down, making the street much more pleasant to use for pedestrians and cyclists." Koy cited Kensington high street as an example of a successful transformation of a street, where barriers and unnecessary signage have been removed to create shared spaces.

Designers are invited to submit ideas they are already working on as well as original visions of how the public realm can be transformed with improved design, landscaping and planning.

Designers interested in submitting proposals should contact c2c@wordsearch.co.uk. Designs should be prepared on foamex-mounted A3 board with a drawing or computer generated image. PDFs should also be prepared.

Cycle to Cannes is recruiting riders for the 2009 ride to the MIPIM property fair. For further information please email c2c@wordsearch.co.uk

London Cycle Campaign director Koy Thomson