Segregation is certainly less efficient than no segregation in terms of absolute space. For it to work properly you need to take space away from the motor car. Which, in towns and cities, I am absolutely fine with. Where do the coaches go? I don't really care. But I appreciate that's something that will need to be considered by those implementing it.
It's very hard to base a concrete view on the artists impression. I'm sure the final version will look much different. The document promises cycleways "much closer to international best practise" so let's hope that means bigger and wider than the current Barclays abominations.
Again, the idea that bus lanes are the solution is just bonkers and something that always leaves Dutch planners aghast. It's exactly that kind of thinking that keeps cycling's modal share stuck rigidly below 2%
Great Day for London - Great day for London cyclists
Re: Great Day for London - Great day for London cyclists
I wish I could share your optimism hairybuddha, unfortunately I remember the original CS promises, and look what happened there. Unless there's significant consultation with cyclists and cycling bodies, history will be repeated.
Recent examples, the cycle lane across Blackfriars Bridge, redesigned twice after the first dangerous implementation resulted in a fatality. The planned cycle lane through the Borough market/London Bridge redevelopment, currently requires cyclists to dismount and push their cycles 50m before rejoining the lane.
BBC London reported tonight, that the elevated cycle lane along the Westway effectively duplicates a planned route underneath. No doubt being implemented at a much lower cost, but hey doesn't sound anywhere near as impressive! This a day after the initial announcement, doesn't bode well.
My belief is this country is a long way off ending it's love affair with the motor car. It's only now recognised cycling as a real sport because we've won stuff. If professional cyclists have to fight tooth and nail for road closures during the Tour of Britain, what chance do commuters have getting decent segregated space?
Cycling in London is increasing year on year regardless of improvements in infrastructure and IMO a warm, dry summer would have larger impact on future numbers.
Recent examples, the cycle lane across Blackfriars Bridge, redesigned twice after the first dangerous implementation resulted in a fatality. The planned cycle lane through the Borough market/London Bridge redevelopment, currently requires cyclists to dismount and push their cycles 50m before rejoining the lane.
BBC London reported tonight, that the elevated cycle lane along the Westway effectively duplicates a planned route underneath. No doubt being implemented at a much lower cost, but hey doesn't sound anywhere near as impressive! This a day after the initial announcement, doesn't bode well.
My belief is this country is a long way off ending it's love affair with the motor car. It's only now recognised cycling as a real sport because we've won stuff. If professional cyclists have to fight tooth and nail for road closures during the Tour of Britain, what chance do commuters have getting decent segregated space?
Cycling in London is increasing year on year regardless of improvements in infrastructure and IMO a warm, dry summer would have larger impact on future numbers.
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hairybuddha
Re: Great Day for London - Great day for London cyclists
We've had plenty of warm summers wrightie - Where are all the cyclists? Policy planners don't need to persuade people like you and I to take up cycling. They need to persuade people like my girlfriend who is too scared to ride her bike on the roads and people with young children, who are too scared to let their kids travel by bike. That is what the plans in this strategy aim to do.Cycling in London is increasing year on year regardless of improvements in infrastructure and IMO a warm, dry summer would have larger impact on future numbers.
Of course, we're a very long way from it coming to fruition but - going back to the reason I started this thread - we just moved a very big step closer.
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hairybuddha
Re: Great Day for London - Great day for London cyclists
Yes, very disappointing. But those plans pre-date the release of the Cycling Vision document, infact they even pre-date the Mayoral election and the "Go Dutch" commitment. Still open to consultation and I know there are some very good people working behind the scenes to get it revised.
Have you seen the plans for the Cycle Superhighway from Bow to Stratford? Much, much better.
Have you seen the plans for the Cycle Superhighway from Bow to Stratford? Much, much better.