We are very sorry to have changed the start for disabled participants and others preferring an easier shorter, accessible route. The changes were forced upon us at short notice, leaving us ve,ry little time to adjust our plans and inform our supporters. Read below the Press Release, which tells the terrible tale.
URGENT PRESS RELEASE: Shock news from St Thomas’ hospital and Forum Magnum Square
WNBRLondon has had to make last-minute changes to arrangements for disabled participants and others preferring an easier, shorter, accessible ride.
St Thomas’ hospital has announced it is barring access to its toilets.
The landowners of Forum Magnum Square are barring access to the area, which is the meeting point for disabled participants and others preferring a shorter, accessible ride.
Disabled cyclists and other people expecting to use the accessible start should now wait and join the ride at the north-west end of Leake St SE1, near the junction with York Road.
All other start points are unaffected and will go ahead on Sunday 14 June 2026 at the planned times and locations. See the WNBRLondon website or social media for full details.
St Thomas’ Hospital
Jayne King from Guy’s and St Thomas’ contacted WNBRLondon to say our participants “will not be allowed to use our facilities or grounds unless presenting for emergency treatment in our accident and emergency department. The hospital facilities are for staff and patients who are on site for the purposes of accessing healthcare. They are not geneal [sic] public toilets.” She went on to say that security personnel will prevent access.
This all stemmed from helpful advice we shared about where our disabled participants and others requiring accessible facilities could find accessible toilets near the ride. The toilets in question are inside the front entrance, where you will find a restaurant, coffee, shops and the toilets.
The hospital’s policy is alarming and has implications for all visitors, unless they are staff or patients accessing healthcare. We asked some local residents.
Barbara, aged 82, said she often visited the hospital for treatment. She said, “I’m at a stage in life when it is a good idea to use a toilet when you can, so, yes, I do go in for the toilet sometimes.”
70 year old local, Cy, has been visiting the hospital “more than half my life”. He is very proud of the hospital and told us he used to be a Governor of Guy’s and St Thomas’. He said “it’s bonkers”. “So, if I accompany my wife to a hospital appointment, she can use the toilet and I can’t. And if I drop in to get a coffee, or eat in the public restaurant or buy things from the retail outlets, they’re going to stop me crossing the corridor to the toilets? Is it even legal to prevent people using a toilet at a restaurant?”
Forum Magnum Square
Mr Bola Shofoluwe, Front of House Manager at County Hall Apartments, wrote to WNBRLondon on Friday 12 June, which was two days before the ride, to say that the landowners of Forum Magnum Square were prohibiting WNBRLondon from entering the square.
The people and businesses of Forum Magnum Square have previously welcomed WNBRLondon, which has ridden annually for the past 22 years. WNBR is a fun, well-behaved, lawful spectacle that delights the public and attracts media attention. As well as bringing a little joy to the people, we also contribute extra income and publicity for the businesses – all in addition to our underlying mission and themes that try to make the world a better place.
After all those years, Shofoluwe has given us two days’ notice to avoid the area. We had already agreed our routes with the police. We tested all the routes the previous week. The day before, we had briefed the marshals, stewards and first aiders. We had fully documented all aspects of the ride for circulation. We had publicised our plans through mainstream media as well as through the untraceable, viral routes of social media reposting.
Forum Magnum Square is an excellent rendezvous for people travelling in from all directions. There is no obvious alternative – certainly not at short notice. We have no way to contact the vast majority of the participants – they do not register or sign up. In particular, disabled participants and others with accessibility needs have been advised to take a shorter ride by assembling at Forum Magnum Square – so they will arrive and expect to be met there.
John, a regular WNBRLondon participant, said he always enjoys his annual cup of coffee at Starbucks. He asked “how would the business owners feel if they realised hundreds of potential customers were barred from reaching the restaurants?”
One of our disabled cyclists asked whether it was legal to deny access, given the disability and equality legislation along with the general progress of disabled access.
Shofoluwe’s actions may lead to much chaos in the neighbourhood, with cyclists potentially unable to get off the street and uncertain where to go. This will lead to congestion, which then leads to further blockages, which leads to further chaos – and so on.
WNBRLondon will direct some of the professional security personnel to monitor and assist with any problems around the area. They may also co-ordinate with our comms hub or call in the police if any difficulties arise.