London cycles and London cyclists

As part of the Museum of London’s London Cycles exhibition, illustrator Ugo Gattoni has created a comprehensive guide to the type of people you find on two wheels in the capital.

Bike Borrower, by Ugo Gattoni
Bike Borrower, by Ugo Gattoni

Gattoni, whose other bike-themed work includes the Bicycle book for Nobrow was commissioned to create ten large scale cyclist portraits for the museum’s outdoor display space.

From the London courier to the lycra-clad speedster, the fixie fanatic to the fold-up rider, all typologies are represented.

Folding Bike in Style, by Ugo Gattoni
Folding Bike in Style, by Ugo Gattoni

Gattoni based the images on photos of biking Londoners that were submitted to the museum – a photo collage of these pictures is also going on show.

As well as the images, the London Cycles show also features exhibits documenting capital cycling from the 19th century to the present day.

London courier, by Ugo Gattoni
London courier, by Ugo Gattoni

There are headcam films of people’s rides through London, and shown alongside a penny farthing and an 1880s boneshaker is one of the ubiquitous Boris bikes.

The Boris bike’s ‘story’ will also be on show. The museum has worked with City University’s Professor Jo Wood to visualise the journeys made by the bike – which was ridden 2450 times by 2280 people throughout its lifetime.

Lycra and Co, by Ugo Gattoni
Lycra and Co, by Ugo Gattoni

As London Mayor Boris Johnson says of the show, ‘I can’t think of a better way to visit it than by bike, surely one of the most enjoyable ways to visit this and other cultural gems across the capital.’

London Cycles is at the Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2 until 22 September.

Admiring the work
Admiring the work
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