Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Begin has pledged a ‘Vision Zero’ approach to road traffic casualties in the British capital, with the aim of ensuring that by 2030, no-one will be killed in an incident involving a London bus, and that by 2041 deaths and serious injuries resulting from road traffic collisions in the city will have been totally eradicated.
The pledge, which brings London into line with a growing number of cities worldwide that are committed to reducing the casualty toll on their streets, was unveiled as part of the Mayor’s Draft Transport Strategy, published today and open for consultation until 2 October 2017.
It was outlined in a press release from the Mayor’s office, which said the approach would make London’s streets “safer for all,” adding:
"Minimising road danger is fundamental to the creation of streets where everyone feels safe walking, cycling and using public transport. This radical change to how London approaches road danger will aim for no one to be killed in or by a London bus by 2030, and for all deaths and serious injuries from road collisions to be eliminated from London’s streets by 2041."
It's a bold vision, and one that aims to build a sharp fall in the number of people killed or seriously injured while using London’s roads in the past decade.
Preliminary figures show that in the year to June 2016, road traffic incidents in London claimed the lives of 128 people and 2,119 people were killed or seriously injured, respectively down39 per cent and 42 per cent on the 2005-09 average.
Whether the Vision Zero target is achievable is another matter. By 2041, it’s possible that all motor vehicles will be autonomous, taking human error out of the equation, and will be sophisticated enough to avoid collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.
Preliminary figures show that in the year to June 2016, road traffic incidents in London claimed the lives of 128 people and 2,119 people were killed or seriously injured, respectively down39 per cent and 42 per cent on the 2005-09 average.
Roger Geffen, policy director at the charity Cycling UK, told road.cc: “It’s an admirable ambition, which looks as though it could be on track.
“With a widespread roll out of 20mph limits, protected cycling facilities, measures to remove unsafe lorries from London roads and goals to reduce private motor vehicles, Cycling UK believes it should be possible to achieve.
He added: “It will require however police co-operation to ensure that less traffic doesn’t result in faster traffic. This means capital will need more traffic officers to enforce the law on speed limits, close overtaking of cyclists and mobile phone use at the wheel.”
I don't think that is a level playng field, by trams runing at a loss it sounds ike you are only comparing tram fares with running costs, but for...
My avatar seems to like sitting right on the edge of the group in the wind! How can he be encouraged to stay in the middle?...
You know what Clem, I've never read "Far from the madding crowd". However, I did once see a film adaptation starring Terence Stamp....
I would be happier paying RRP and keeing 130 people in a job at the wholesaler-PLUS the local bike shop gets a turn. No joy in being a vulture
Reference to the scrap about politics prompted by a dig at the Conservatives made by a road.cc reviewer in this map review article.
Lots of good options and advice above, i'd also maybe suggest RedWhite for a bib focused company (especially long distance) with a good reputation...
Maybe we should all join up an vote out the current leadership and vote in someone like Jeremy Vine or Cycling Mikey?
Huge difference between being impolite and punching someone repeatedly in the face and tasing them....
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I'm not blaming the cyclist. Far from it. The reason the crime is being committed is due to the value of the bike in a pub car park. It's worth...