Eilidh Murray, centre, with members of Cycle Islington at the 50th anniversary event at Islington Museum [Victor Heng]

CYCLISTS, campaigners and politicians gathered at the Islington Museum to celebrate the 50th birthday of Cycle Islington.

First formed as the “Islington Cycle Action Group” in 1976, it has been a leading campaigning voice ever since, even pre-dating the London Cycling Campaign umbrella group of which they are now a part of.

Politicians including Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn and environment chief Cllr Rowena Champion came to show their support and celebrate half a century of campaigning for better cycling infrastructure in the borough.

In her speech, Cycle Islington’s co-ordinator Eilidh Murray struck a celebratory tone, but said there was “more work to be done”.

She said: “It’s been a big project setting this all up. We’ve been planning it since last September. Tonight tells the story of our long, honourable and continuing story of campaigning in Islington, and we hope that progress in the borough will not have to continue for another 50 years.

“Let’s fill our glasses, have a toast to the next 50 years and celebrate the most fabulous invention of 1817, the bicycle!”

Adrian Williams, who has been a member of the group since the beginning, told the Tribune of the importance of the group in achieving real change to London’s cycling infrastructure.

He said: “Cycle Islington has been a shifting group of people who want to improve facilities for cyclists. This is a long, slow process, but there’s been some big successes over the years instilling cycle lanes and other facilities across London.”

A short film was screened reflecting on the history of the group, featuring contributions from Islington politicians Caroline Russell, Jeremy Corbyn and Dame Emily Thornberry MP.

A full, longer version will go up on the group’s website.