tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post3135890377480256939..comments2024-03-28T11:13:48.581+00:00Comments on i b i k e l o n d o n: Next stop: mass cycling. Here comes London's Olympic legacy for cyclists!ibikelondonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-21918308311138997342013-03-25T03:53:34.730+00:002013-03-25T03:53:34.730+00:00A phenomenal event for the cyclists! Hopefully, th...A phenomenal event for the cyclists! Hopefully, the mayor's plans will push through.Madison Hewitthttp://digitalwellness.co.za/training-program/looking-after-yourself/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-22653923501061187352013-03-10T16:59:41.520+00:002013-03-10T16:59:41.520+00:00Thanks everyone for your comments. As they say in...Thanks everyone for your comments. As they say in Opera "It's not over till the fat lady sings" and as my post points out the devil really will be in getting the detail delivered. But all in all I believe there is much to be excited about here. Certainly, enough for me to want to be involved in cycle campaigning for some time yet. It's nice to know one isn't pushing for an entirely hopeless cause!ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-90197227907830409452013-03-08T14:16:28.895+00:002013-03-08T14:16:28.895+00:00I agree with most everyone that a corner has been ...I agree with most everyone that a corner has been turned, that the development of the cycling environment is now heading in an exciting, new direction, and that over the next three years, significant changes to the streetscape will take place. This is magnificent news, and no mistake.<br /><br />Features of the report that caught my eye were as follows:<br /><br />“In the City and West End, a mixture of Quietways and new Superhighways will make up the ‘Central London Grid.’”<br /><br />“Quietways will be direct.”<br /><br />“They will be clearly signed, mostly on the road itself, making it impossible to lose your way.”<br /><br />“They will stretch far into the suburbs, with both radial and orbital routes.”<br /><br />“Permeability means […] making the existing streets join up better for cyclists (and pedestrians) than they do for cars. It means blocking rat run-type streets as through-routes for motor traffic, while still allowing through journeys by bike. It means making bike journeys easier and more direct by removing one-way streets, gyratories and complicated crossings of big roads.”<br /><br />“With the proviso that nothing must reduce cyclists’ right to use any road, we favour segregation [on main roads].”<br /><br />“By 2020 the London Cycling Network will be easily understood.”<br /><br />“We will create cycle routes, where possible, in rough parallel with Tube lines, bus routes, and major roads, and brand them accordingly (e.g. the ‘Jubilee Quietway’, ‘South Circular Quietway’ or ‘Cycle Superhighway 25’, the current CS2 which runs along the 25 bus route) so people know where they go.”<br /><br />The Mayor’s flagship scheme is a real jaw-dropper. What a fantastic difference this is likely to make! Tantalisingly, no clue is given as to the route between Hyde Park Corner and Victoria Embankment. There are two options. The most direct route goes via Constitution Hill / Birdcage Walk, and the most meaningful route goes via Grosvenor Place / Victoria Street.<br /><br />Either way, cyclists would need to get across Parliament Square, so the prospect of segregated cycling through this junction is very encouraging.<br /><br />Mark, I guess you were quoting from memory, because the actual sentence from the strategy document reads: “Timid, half-hearted improvements are out – we will do things at least adequately, or not at all” – where, presumably, <i>inadequate</i> provision obliges cyclists to behave 'badly'. For me the important thing – the most important thing – is the establishment of a comprehensive, city-wide cycle network, and it is great to hear that this will be made to work within three years.<br /><br />Coupled with the more highly-engineered schemes, there is much to be optimistic about. Even so, I cannot hide my sadness at the proposed signing strategy. Assuming the proposed network(s) would have a reasonable density, there are going to be problems using a combination of names, colours (one per route) and numbers. Besides, there is a simpler, more intuitively useful, and probably even more elegant solution also available, and that would be to use compass colours. Given that this concept was awarded a prize from Innovation in Geography, I need to try to understand why this option has not even been considered. My sense is that my position as an outsider – outside of both officialdom and campaign groups – hasn’t helped, but if this is to be the decisive factor, maybe even the only reason, that would truly be very tough for me to have to accept. <br />bikemapperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16902775699101288384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-86125259277409524252013-03-07T21:06:46.858+00:002013-03-07T21:06:46.858+00:00@Neil I agree it is essential to sell the economic...@Neil I agree it is essential to sell the economic case for investment in cycling as being not just about cyclists - many of the benefits to wider society are well documented and cycle campaigners should be ready to dazzle with statistics to shout down any tabloidesque prejudices concerning these kind of schemes.<br /><br />@DavidArditti / Simon I agree with David. Whilst of course we must remain vigilante and ensure pressure is maintained to insit that these plans are delivered the highest of standards, if you read the full report then this really is a step-change in terms of change in rhetoric. It says things like "we either do it well, or not at all - no half arsed measures". I'm cautious, but excited. ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-50770207115093740782013-03-07T18:53:57.983+00:002013-03-07T18:53:57.983+00:00Simon, the Cycle Superhighways never sounded amazi...Simon, the Cycle Superhighways never sounded amazing when they were first proposed. The slightest examination of the original proposals showed they were half-baked. This really does appear different. But we'll remain sceptical until we see it on the ground, and people on bikes from one end of society to the other using it.David Ardittihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06255565837583244148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-78418491307564406342013-03-07T18:31:21.162+00:002013-03-07T18:31:21.162+00:00The Cycle Superhighways sounded amazing when they ...The Cycle Superhighways sounded amazing when they were first proposed. The reality was somewhat underwhelming.Simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-57319172416319194372013-03-07T17:45:48.283+00:002013-03-07T17:45:48.283+00:00I really, really, really hope this approach ends u...I really, really, really hope this approach ends up in outer-London as I will get to design something ground-breaking and use it!<br /><br />Looking forward to the idea along the Thames - my 9 year old could use it!<br /><br />Very worried about borough councillors screwing it all up though...The Ranty Highwaymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-82850988947461950362013-03-07T16:27:18.087+00:002013-03-07T16:27:18.087+00:00There is one really good hand that can be played h...There is one really good hand that can be played here.<br /><br />Show retailers what happens to their takings, in other cities around the world, when a cycle friendly route runs past their premises. Some proprietors are repoting increases in business of up to 200%.<br /><br />If I was a retailer, I'd definately want to have a cycle route come my way.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669491851149203943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-23476982778023137132013-03-07T15:24:43.225+00:002013-03-07T15:24:43.225+00:00In the past I would have agreed with anonymous abo...In the past I would have agreed with anonymous above - The mayor gives with one hand but takes with the other, giving him some newsworthy soundbites while leaving us with empty promises. However... there is some serious scope here that something may actually happen - the Barclays hire bike scheme has been a great success in terms of usage numbers (if not funding), bike use has finally overtaken car use in Hackney commuting statistics and the existing blue CSHs have at least got the public ready for more bike usage. Given the ability of London to get things done for the Olympics I am finally hopefully that lasting change is coming...CBWRhttp://www.carbonbicyclewheelreview.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-20358621373045795602013-03-07T14:39:57.573+00:002013-03-07T14:39:57.573+00:00I'll believe it when I see it.
I should ima...I'll believe it when I see it. <br /><br />I should imagine that by the time of implementation it will be some half baked, watered down version that actually makes cyclists less safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-69177444675165961202013-03-07T11:19:12.188+00:002013-03-07T11:19:12.188+00:00As the Evening Standard said yesterday, we need to...As the Evening Standard said yesterday, we need to thank you, and the other top cycling bloggers, for this important document.<br />We still need you to ensure proper implementation. You guys will be coaches and referees, because there is much more expertise, understanding and common sense amongst you than at TfLAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15898014560359608505noreply@blogger.com