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news
Cyclists on Blackfriars Bridge (still from Sarah Wishart Twitter video).jpgSafe infrastructure leads to record rise in cycling in London
The introduction of protected cycling infrastructure in London helped fuel a record rise last year in the total distance being cycled in London, according to new figures released by City Hall.
On aggregate, the capital’s cyclists rode a total of 4 million kilometres each day during 2018, a 5 per cent increase on the previous year, the strongest growth since Transport for London (TfL) began recording the data in 2015, reports The Guardian.
At 8 per cent, the increase was higher in Inner than Outer London, believed to be attributable to the protected cycleways such as the one from Tower Hill to Lancaster Gate and Elephant and Castle to King’s Cross.
The figures have been released at a time when Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and TfL have had their plans for another protected route through Holland Park Avenue and Notting Hill Gate blocked by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Will Norman, London’s cycling and walking commissioner, said: “The mayor is determined to enable more cycling all across the capital, and I’m really pleased last year saw the biggest increase in the amount of cycling in London since records began.
“It is clear that where we have invested in new high-quality routes, people feel safer and more confident cycling on London’s streets.
“And it is yet more evidence for boroughs across London that investing in walking and cycling infrastructure works – getting more people healthy and active as part of their everyday routine, and making our streets cleaner, greener and safer.”
However, with the figures continuing to show a big gender and demographic imbalance – just 27 per cent of London cyclists are female, and white, middle class males on above-average incomes still dominate – cycling campaigners have said that more work is needed to encourage a greater diversity of people to take to two wheels.
Cycling UK’s Sam Jones said: “The important thing is getting protected space and routes where people feel safe.
“Any growth in cycling is a good thing, but we’re clearly a long way from when women, children and the elderly feel comfortable and safe enough to make those shorter local journeys – whether those are to the shops, school, education – all of which are needed not just to increase the diversity of people who are cycling but also the amount of people cycling.”
London Cycling Campaign’s Fran Graham commented: “Time and time again, evidence shows that if you create the conditions that mean people feel safe cycling, they will.”
But, referencing a slogan used by Khan in his successful 2016 electoral campaign, she said that “the mayor has a way to go before London is known as a ‘byword for cycling’ – it’s why it is so important that he hits his target to triple protected cycle track by the end of his term.
“Borough councils also have a large part to play – the recent actions of Kensington and Chelsea to oppose walking and cycling improvements are holding London back, stopping it from becoming a world-class cycling city,” she added.
Elsewhere in The Guardian today, journalist and cyclist Peter Walker examines Ten Common Myths About Bike Lanes – And Why They’re Wrong. It’s well worth a read.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- kevgravelkev 1 min 15 sec ago
Absolutely bang on. Just turn up to any Audax event and have a close look at the bikes that are ridden very large distances over very hilly terrain...
- Bungle_52 6 min 2 sec ago
It's interesting that evading the police was considered dangerous driving but the driver that seriously injured Mr Pike in the link below was only...
- notwelshyet 24 min 53 sec ago
I had exactly the same issue with a kinesis gf ti, ended up ruining three Easton seat posts. The issue was the frame and the seat clamp - I ended...
- gekebiba 39 min 4 sec ago
Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions and support. ...
- marmotte27 1 hour 10 min ago
Yes, this "outside schools and hospitals" is so stupid it beggars belief...
- spen 1 hour 13 min ago
I often wonder if these councillors and campaigners realise how little "infrastructure" could be provided for the money available. In civil...
- SamSeed 4 hours 43 min ago
My 6KU, replaced everything but the front chainring over the past 5 years.
- Hirsute 10 hours 1 min ago
Radar tells me their closing speed, if they are slowing and how far away. Then I decide to say a prayer. The change of light pattern is incidental.
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13 comments
Brent Cycling Campaign calls for Council action to make cycling in the borough safe for all after survey results
"A survey carried out between February and April 2019 confirmed that people do want direct and convenient cycle routes with protected space on main roads with 80% of respondents seeing this as a high priority. The main barrier to cycling uptake is the lack of safety on our roads."
https://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2019/07/brent-cycling-campaign-calls...
But all the cabbies state that the Embankment CSH is empty and a waste of space and money.
my issue with that particular CSH, is that trying to be a ‘good boy’ and waiting to cross onto it, coming down from Admiralty arch, and waiting at the red ‘cyclist light’ you could die of old age, before it changes to your favour. I often just say balls to it and ride on the road, until I can get onto the CSH, which is usually not easy. the other joining crossings along that stretch are the same. They need to sort the light timings out. Anyway, it’s always fun having ‘banter’ with the cabbies who object to me using “their faaacking road”.
My experience is that it is more than 5%, especially on sunny days. But already the existing infrastructure is creaking at peak times - e.g. where the Embankement cycleway meets Westminster bridge - leading to cyclists jumping their own red light and blocking cyclists trying to go the other way.
The 'gender gap' might be a product of the proportion of women being killed or seriously injured, which I think is linked to how utterly clueless so many of them are in the most rudimentary notions of 'road craft'.
The latest one I noted was as I headed down Jamaica Road from Tooley Street last week. Lights changed to red, I stopped. My positioning at that point was about 18 inches from the kerb on my left, but it didn't stop a middle-aged woman from coming up on my left and stopping next to me. As the lights changed to green, I started moving and she tried to undertake me. 'Really?' I asked. As I accelerated away from her, I could hear 'You fucking twat!' being screamed after me.
The complete inability to accept any responsibility for their actions, is a characteristic of today's women.
And no. It isn't 'confirmation bias'. Nor is it 'misogyny'.
I think what you've described is a situation common to inexperienced/unthinking cyclists where male or female. Most males in that category would respond in a similar fashion. It's one of the less pleasant facets of human psychology.
She must have met you before.
Whatever job you're currently doing, quit it and get yourself an agent.
Pure comedy genius.
Thank you, but I am happy with my current career choice.
Well, we all laughed.
A bloke on a BSO was on the footpath and pulled onto the road right in front of me off the kerb (non dropped) not for a split second did he look but I could predict what he was going to do. However if it'd been a car coming he'd have been one of the rejoins carriageway/failed to look stats, it's not uncommon, I'd say it's more men than women but whatever.
There's a lot of irresponsible people of any sex, on a bike at least they aren't driving, AND as the trained/experienced rider you could have said something constructive as opposed to what you did. Something like, don't undertake me as I'll be accelerating quicker than you so that way we're both safe. Or, 'you shouldn't position yourself on the inside of another rider, same as you wouldn't if it was another vehicle, just so you're safe and I'm safe. thanks'.
OR, you could have let her go knowing what she was going to do and come around her further along and pop your left leg to the side at the next set of lights to avoid her doing same if she catches you up.
Maybe tthat bit of verbal communication would have avoided the scenario unfolding, maybe it might have made her think about her positioning for the future and maybe it'll stop a collision in the future, with another person on a bike or worse? I mean, what she did was very predictable wasn't it?
5% increase, hardly anything to celebrate really given all the efforts, now if it was 100%, or 200% then you could nod and say yeah, that's great. However a 5% increase means modal share of traffic hasn't gone up in real terms.
Ah the cycling scourge