Kris Matyskiewicz, from Watford and Thomas Casey from Islington have been announced as winners of the amateur and professional categories of the Barclays London by Bike photo contest. Kris’ inspiring photograph showcases two of London’s best cultural icons, Big Ben and the London Eye, in a shot featuring a silhouetted cyclist on the South Bank. Thomas’ entry (above) is a scenic shot of the lush greenery of Richmond Park, a known hot-spot for cyclists.

Barclays Press Release

SNAPPERS CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF CYCLING IN LONDON

- Winning images of Barclays ‘London by Bike’ competition to appear in branches across London -

An amateur photographer from Watford and a professional from Islington have secured the top prizes in the final of a nationwide photography competition celebrating cycling in the capital.

Kris Matyskiewicz, from Watford and Thomas Casey from Islington, winners of the amateur and professional categories of the Barclays ‘London by Bike’ campaign, beat off fierce competition from over 1,000 entrants and will now see their photos displayed as postcards across 300 branches of Barclays.

Kris’ inspiring photograph showcases two of London’s best cultural icons, Big Ben and the London Eye, in a shot featuring a silhouetted cyclist on the Southbank. Thomas’ entry is a scenic shot of the lush greenery of Richmond Park, a known hot-spot for cyclists.

Both entries caught the attention of an expert panel of judges including renowned photographer Nick Turpin, who spearheaded the street photography movement in the UK, Tim Arthur, Editor-in-Chief of Time Out and Richard Ainsworth, London Evening Standard Homes & Property Picture Editor.

Photographer and head judge, Nick Turpin commented, “We were astounded by the quality of entries to the Barclays London by Bike competition – clearly there are a lot of passionate Londoners out there who love snapping those special moments that can only be discovered on a bike. Our winner’s photographs really captured the beauty of cycling in the capital and inspired others to do the same.”

Seasoned photographers and cycling enthusiasts alike with an eye for a good shot were invited to enter via the “Barclays Bikes” Facebook page with an image that reflected cycling in London.

Notable runners-up included Emily Dimmock, from Brixton for the amateur category, who inspired the judges with her quirky and personal take on cycling in London, ‘I (heart) my bike’.

Ashok Vaswani, CEO Barclays UK Retail and Business Banking, said: “As the sponsor of Barclays Cycle Hire and Barclays Cycle Superhighways we are committed to improving how people travel around the capital, and are delighted with the success of the ‘London by Bike’ competition. The standard of entries celebrating cycling in London was outstanding and I’d like to congratulate the winners, and look forward to seeing their images across our branches.”

As winners of Barclays ‘London by Bike’, Kris and Thomas have secured themselves a luxury London cycling weekend prize package including £1,500 of cycling equipment, sumptuous 5* hotel stay and a visit to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Additionally, their iconic shots will be available as free postcards for fellow Londoners in 300 Barclays branches across the city and the South East.

To view the gallery visit the Barclays Bikes Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BarclaysBikes.

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