CYCLING instructors in London launched their first-ever strike over a 14-year pay freeze today.

The staff, represented by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), will also down tools next Thursday and on July 14 as they demand pay restoration, a fair policy regarding late cancellation of classes and an end to unpaid administration time.

The walkouts come after Transport for London announced in March a 66 per cent increase in funding to councils for cycle training, which instructors argue is more than enough to meet their needs. 

But only one of the capital’s three cycle training provider companies – Cycle Confident – has offered a small hourly pay rise of just £1, according to the union.

IWGB cycling instructors branch chairman Suami Rocha slammed the “hypocrisy of London councils.”

He added: “They talk about combating the climate emergency with green policies, but when they’re given the funding to do so they hoard that money and refuse to properly invest in tangible solutions like cycle training.

“Instructors are leaving the industry due to unsustainable pay and precarious conditions and councils have the power to stop that.”