Met challenges cycle ride ruling

The ride celebrates safe cycling

The Metropolitan Police has begun a court battle to force organisers of a monthly cycle ride in London to give advance notice of the route.

Last summer the High Court ruled Critical Mass rides did not need to have prior permission from the police under the Public Order Act 1985.

Every month cyclists gather on the South Bank and ride through the city in the evening to celebrate safe cycling.

The challenge is being heard at Court of Appeal on Wednesday.

Worldwide phenomenon

At the hearing last June, the Metropolitan Police claimed the ride was illegal as it has an organiser who does not give prior warning of the route.

But the High Court said it was not a notifiable procession under the Public Order Act and police did not require advance notice of the timing and route.

The London ride is part of a worldwide phenomenon and has taken place on the last Friday of the month, every month, for the past 13 years.

Both the route and number of participants varies every month. In February organisers said up to 300 people took part in the ride.