Pandemic Fears Cancel 2020 Prudential RideLondon Cycle Festival

Published on: 20 May, 2020
Updated on: 21 May, 2020

Prudential Bike Riders Climbing Box Hill

The 2020 Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling has been cancelled this year after discussions between London authorities and other partners.

The event was to pass through Surrey on Sunday, August 16. A Surrey County Council statement backed the decision, saying their priority is the health and safety of Surrey residents and the number of participants, spectators and key workers on the ground would be unsafe.

But the SCC said they are still committed to hosting the event in 2021, after reviewing how the impact of Coronavirus will affect hosting a mass participation event.

Necessary road closures have meant that the event has been unpopular with some residents in Guildford Borough and elsewhere. After a survey in February this year, a Cabinet decision has not yet been made on the event continuing to pass through Surrey beyond 2021. This was to be reviewed in April but due to the Coronavirus crisis, the decision was postponed and is now to be considered at a July Cabinet.

More than 9,000 people completed the survey, 80 per cent of them either living or working in the county. The results will inform the July Cabinet decision, and those results will be shared.

What participants should do next

Hugh Brasher, event director of Prudential RideLondon, said: “There will be many, many questions from riders, charities and others and we ask you to please bear with us as we work through all the detail. We expect to be in a position to provide full updates to participants and charities by the middle of June. We will also post regular updates on our website and social media channels.”

If you were to participate this year further information is available on the official website here in a Q&A document: https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/news-media/latest-news/faqs-for-the-cancelled-2020-prudential-ridelondon-festival-of-cycling/