Around 70 parents and children took part in a ‘daffodil ride’ around Dartmouth Park, Swain’s Lane and Highgate on Saturday (March 1).
Camden Council is working with Islington Council on proposals to create a ‘healthy neighbourhood’ in Dartmouth Park, closing some roads to through traffic and making some one way.
Dartmouth Park resident Sakhr Al-Makhadhi, who organised the ride, said they got a “taste of the freedom” the plan might bring.
He added: “This was about residents taking back control of our streets – telling the rat runners that we deserve to enjoy our space and play, walk, cycle, and talk to each other. It was one of those rare times I felt like I could interact with my neighbours.
“We want to turn our neighbourhood into a space that residents can enjoy, instead of being a short-cut for people from outside the area.
“Dartmouth Park should be for community, not commuters.”
Annie Minto, 13, said: “It felt a lot safer cycling in a big group, but we should always have that safety.”
Mum-of-two Sophie Elmhirst was riding with her two children. She said: “It was such a joyful, safe and inspiring community event – which showed how easy and possible it could be for kids to ride round their neighbourhood safely.”
Parent Jamie Inman added: “We don’t cycle nearly as much as we could as it’s so stressful shepherding young kids on busy roads. It was such a happy feeling to know our kids are safe as they zoom along.”
Despite the riders’ support, the plan has been slammed by residents group the Highgate Society as “absurd and dangerous” – warning it will funnel traffic onto already busy roads.
Chair Andrew Sulstan said the society, which is part of a joint action group with 19 other civic organisations, was “pleased the event went well”.
He added: The Highgate Society shares the goal of safe and healthy streets for everyone.
“However, achieving this requires well-planned, evidence-based solutions. Poor data and flawed design as we have seen in the most recent Dartmouth Park Healthy Neighbourhood traffic proposals risk undermining these aims, and increasing congestion and pollution.
He said residents and businesses already suffer more traffic, more pollution, and more accidents on boundary and external roads.
He added: “While we welcome measures that genuinely improve air quality and safety for all, changes must not privilege some streets at the expense of others.”
