At The Royal Geographical Society last week, bike-lovers gathered to listen to a panel of writers, journalists and professional riders – all there to praise one thing: cycling. Rocco Forte, the hotelier and triathlon enthusiast, opened the festival and held forth as its chair.

Topics discussed ranged from Bella Bathurst’s talk on how Victorian women were emancipated by the two-wheeled machine, to a celebration of innovation in the cycling world by the legendary Graeme Obree, who broke the World Hour Record on a home made bike made from parts of a washing machine.

Writer Geoff Dyer spoke on street photography and of the blitheness of riding, whereas Vincent Cox,  the record holder for circumnavigating the world in 163 days, argued that bicycles travel at the ideal speed – slow enough to appreciate the smells and sights of the road, but fast enough to see the seasons change. Patrick Field introduced a practical approach to cycling, vouching that anyone and everyone can ride. He also suggested that more revolutions should happen on bicycles.

Giving the last talk, Will Self ran down the list of other speakers: Bathurst, the historian; Cox, the passionate ‘zen’ cyclist; Dyer the whimsical intellectual; Field, the motivational speaker; and Obree, the innovator.

When the floor opened up for discussion, audience members were keen to know whether the panellists ride through red lights. Geoff Dyer and Patrick Field? Never. Will Self? Always, for the pure satisfaction of scoffing at the motorcyclists left behind.

Panellists also dispensed advice for cyclists: If you have an expensive saddle (especially if its a Brooks saddle), carry it with you – even to your fancy dinner party. Dyer reminded cyclists to always lock their bicycles, lest they call victim to the plight of Antonio Ricci in the classic Vittoria De Sica film, Bicycle Thieves.

The conclusion of the night was that more Londoners should take to their pedals – there’s no excuse for driving in central London.