23rd March 2026
In an eye-catching spectacle on Friday night, Thame streets lit up as the Glow Ride passed by: 30 bike riders, bedecked with fairy lights, joined together to support the long-awaited Greenway and ask for consideration of all potential riders in its design, noting the historically low number of women and girls cycling generally.
With both Oxfordshire County Council and Buckinghamshire Council working on the scheme with a view to holding a public consultation later this year, the aim was to reiterate local support. According to co-organiser Sarah Green, “The greenway will make a huge difference to local people—especially young families like mine who want a safe, traffic-free space to cycle, scoot, and run. It will also benefit commuters heading to the station, people with restricted mobility, and visitors travelling from Haddenham to shop and socialise in Thame.”
The ride was inspired by similar events held last year around the country to highlight issues of women’s safety on active travel routes, particularly at night. Co-organiser Cathy Gaulter-Carter was keen for as many women as possible to take part, in order to send a strong message: “Many women and girls are afraid to cycle because of busy roads. We need the Greenway so that even small children can enjoy cycling, walking and wheeling in the fresh air.”
In the face of massive support, the number of participants was restricted for safety reasons, and the full group was split into smaller groups of riders, but the message was still loud and clear. Supporter Alex Oldman, who shot the superb drone footage, said “it was wonderful to see such a strong turnout to support the Haddenham-Thame Greenway. All the riders made such an effort with lights on their bikes and a fun time was had by all.”
The event follows on from the petition for the Haddenham–Thame Greenway, which attracted over 3,600 signatures to call for a safe, practical, and sustainable walking and cycling route between the two communities. It will be formally presented to the meeting Oxfordshire County Council on Tuesday 24th March, and was handed in to 10 Downing Street last month with the support of both local MPs, Freddie van Mierlo (Henley and Thame) and Greg Smith (Mid Buckinghamshire).
The scheme will address multiple local concerns, including:
- Safety: Frequent reports of fast, narrow roads that deter all but the most confident cyclists.
- Family accessibility: Lack of safe routes for children, grandparents, and pushchair users.
- Environmental concerns: Strong appetite to reduce pollution and car dependency.
- Community health and wellbeing: Desire for a route that encourages outdoor activity and access to the countryside.
- Transport connectivity: A need for safe, reliable access to Haddenham & Thame Parkway Station.
