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If you want to schlepp an e-cargobike through the busy streets of London there’s no better way than another e-cargobike. A Tern GSD has been picked up from the Flying Dutchman shop near Kings Cross by the Pedal Me courier service, and it has been dropped off at the Guildhall where the International Cycle History Conference kicks off tomorrow.
The GSD – or "get stuff done" – is a compact utility e-cargobike and it will be one of a number of new and old bikes on display in the Grade-1*-listed Livery Hall at the Guildhall for the three-day duration of the conference.
Other bikes on display include a Raleigh Chopper, and one of the brand’s new Motus e-bikes, and a Bickerton folding bike from 1971 as well as its modern counterpart.
The bikes – all supplied by members of the Bicycle Association, which is one of the sponsors of the conference – will join other period machines, including a "dandy horse" from the early 19th century. The British cycle industry was born in December 1818, and the Bicycle Association has created a new website to celebrate the fact, and to promote cycling’s bright future. As a metaphor for how the "past informs the future" 200yearsofthebicycle.com features modern cyclists superimposed on period photographs. (Full disclosure: I wrote the text for the website, and also designed it.)
The Bicycle Association is staging an industry panel at the history conference on 14th June. BAGB operations director Steve Garidis will be introducing members of panel and will also use the opportunity to unveil major new research findings on cycling in the UK.
The International Cycle History Conference is part of the London Cycling Campaign and City of London’s City Cycling Festival which is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the British cycle industry with many events across three days, including public activities, debates and the London Cycling Awards.
‘The Future from the Past’ panel is being chaired by Ruth Cadbury MP, co-chair of All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group.
The panel members are:
- Fraser Seifert, Ofo dockless bikes
- Ashok Sinha, London Cycling Campaign
- Philip Taylor, Schwalbe tyres
- Jerry Lawson, Frog Bikes
- John McNaughtan, 30+ years ex-Raleigh International
- Dan Farrell, Moulton
- Pippa Wibberley, MD, Raleigh
Other bikes on display in the Livery Hall include an MTB and balance bike from Frog Bikes, and a modern Moulton as well as a 1962 Moulton Speed which time-trial specialist John Woodburn rode in December of that year to break the Cardiff to London record. And Pashley will be displaying both a Guv’nor and a new "Sadiq cycle" Santander cycle share bike.
The International Cycle History Conference is a delegates-only annual event and is being held 13th–15th June. Event organiser Philip Saunders of the City of London Corporation is hoping to set up a photo opportunity with a period-dressed rider astride a dandy horse and a child riding the modern equivalent, a Frog balance bike.
