MK Mayors, past and present, launched a fun group ride through the city, following a similar route to last year’s ride to the MK Rose, with riders wearing flowers to celebrate the blooming Spring. 37 people attended.
Introduced by Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, five MK Mayors were welcomed: Euan Henderson (2009-10), Sam Crooks (2019-20), Mo Khan (2022-23), Marie Bradburn (2024-25) and James Lancaster (2025-26). A veritable chain gang!
A special award was presented to outgoing Mayor, Cllr Marie Bradburn, with a tribute from student Cody Jackson, Bicycling Youth Mayor, commending her ‘Year of Cycling’ during which she cycled 2,000 miles, attending hundreds of events, and saved nearly a ton of CO2 (details below).
Cllr Bradburn herself then presented three awards:
- Council Projects & Development Manager, Luciana Smart, for her team’s construction of a new redway near the Blue Lagoon.
- Volkswagen Financial Services, collected by Mel Welburn, for the company’s impressive cycling stats in Love To Ride’s ‘Ride Anywhere Week’ in March
- Jake Saville family, for promoting cycling in the Two Mile Ash school community.
Former Mayors then took turns to say a few words about the importance of MK’s transport network and the role of cycling.
Finally new Mayor James Lancaster talked about the importance of sport for children, and cycling as a great way to exercise,
Then flowers were attached to bikes and helmets, and the ride set off for the MK Rose
with the customary stop at a famous site
…and a few times around the MK Rose.
With thanks to Dott Bikes for supplying free e-bike hire, Branch Out for the flowers, and Raeesa Chowdhury for the photos.
Cllr Bradburn’s achievements in Year of Cycling 20234-25.
- Cycled 2,000 miles to attend +100 events: This saves approximately 808 kg of CO2. Additionally, cycling this distance burns around 70,000 calories, which is roughly the same as having 667 bananas.
- Mayor’s Parlour Event: Over 120 children attended the Mayor’s parlour to have tea and biscuits while discussing the future of cycling in Milton Keynes and how the council can support the next generation.
- Bikeability Support: In efforts to support the Transport team in reaching their Bikeability target of training 80% of pupils before they leave primary school, Marie helped build relationships with both teachers and children and handed over 50 bikes to 6 schools to encourage cycle training.
- Mayor’s Festival of Cycling (March 15-30):
- 15 events were organised for residents over two weeks.
- More than 1,000 rides were made, including those in the Love to Ride’s Ride Anywhere Week Campaign.
- Over 500 people participated in various events, including 30 children from 3 primary schools cycling in the MK Dons stadium.
- 48 women and girls attended to free cycling sessions to learn to ride and build confidence.