Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page. In August, I'm taking part in Ride London, a 100 mile cycle ride/race with work, (I work for the London Cycling Campaign for those who don't know), to help raise money for our work that helps make London safer for cycling. 

As you'll probably know, I love cycling, so you're probably thinking, "why should I sponsor Amy for doing something she likes doing anyway?" or "I'm effectively just paying Amy's wages, why should I bother doing that?". Well, I'll tell you:

Firstly, I'm cycling 100 miles. Which is a long way. I've only ever cycled 100 miles in one day once before. It was tough, I won't lie. So I am training for this and it will be difficult, rest assured. Plus, you have to get up really early for the start. And it'll probably rain knowing my luck, so it'll be thoroughly unpleasant. 

Secondly, I made Rob at work give me a place because a female member of staff hasn't ridden Ride London for Team LCC yet. Girls ride bikes too, and they can ride them fast. So really, it's about equality.

And thirdly, because I'm raising money for a good cause. LCC work super hard with not much dosh to campaign for a safer, nicer, happier, greener city which would make life better for everyone. More bikes and less cars and stinky fumes makes for a much more pleasant city in general.

What do we do to change that I hear you ask? We tell the people who matter, like Boris and TfL, what they should do to make cycling safer and urge them to build better cycling infrastructure, like good quality cycling lanes. Our local groups (who I support in my role) work with local councils to lobby for local changes in their boroughs. They are amazing and do it all in their spare time. We also support incredible community projects that get hard to reach groups out on bikes and work with people to help them experience the good stuff that bikes can offer.

LCC get things done, but need to do more, and could do so much more, with more funding. Lots of people don't feel safe cycling in London, and many people who want to cycle, don't, because they're scared. That isn't cool. Cycling is awesome, and a lovely, healthy, cheap, clean way to travel. The option to get on a bike should be open to everyone, of all ages, and all abilities. Like your granny, or your kids, or your friend who uses an adapted bike, or anyone you know. Not just fit healthy middle aged men which currently make up a lot of the people who cycle in London. Again, it's about equality, see? 

Safer streets and better provision for cycling would mean that more people would want to, and feel able to get on their bikes, without running the risk of being run over by an HGV, or getting hit by a car, or any of the other horrible things that happen on London's streets to people just want to get from A to B by bike.

So, I'm asking you to chuck me a few squids, whatever you can afford in my efforts to ride 100 miles, as fast as I can for a charity close to my heart. If it helps, think of it this way, along with me, there must be other people you know who might cycle in London, so if nothing else, do it to help keep me and them safe? 

In all seriousness, thank you SO MUCH in advance for anything you might be able to give. It'll get spent by LCC very wisely, I promise you.

Amy xx

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