The Mayor's Vision for cycling in London

Throbbe

I've not read it yet but thought some of you would be interested in this:

http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Cycling%20Vision%20GLA%20template%20FINAL.pdf

Mids_Costcutter

At least he has a vision, which is more than can be said for the majority of UK cities. If only Birmingham had a vision (and funding).

Marco_Panettone

Some of it is a brilliant idea, some of it a bit mental, most if it COULD be brilliant if done properly or dangerous if done badly.

I'm certainly not holding my breath for any of it to actually happen properly though...

motch

I think for any new big areas and town/s built in the future around the country, which is likely to happen over the coming years, that the infastructure needs to based around cycling first and then add the others to suit. Rather than as a afterthought for cycles.

If it's easier to get around safely and quicker on bicycles than cars it will have a far higher take up.

Marco_Panettone

motch wrote: »

I think for any new big areas and town/s built in the future around the country, which is likely to happen over the coming years, that the infastructure needs to based around cycling first and then add the others to suit. Rather than as a afterthought for cycles.

If it's easier to get around safely and quicker on bicycles than cars it will have a far higher take up.

It can also be done better, quicker, cheaper and with less disruption than trying to retro-fit something that isn't quite right anyway. Having said that, most roads are perfectly adequate for cycling on and take direct routes. It's better if there are no cars on them though.

motch

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

It can also be done better, quicker, cheaper and with less disruption than trying to retro-fit something that isn't quite right anyway. Having said that, most roads are perfectly adequate for cycling on and take direct routes. It's better if there are no cars on them though.

Does seem a bit crazy why there are so many cars on the road travelling across my town jamming it up basically. Fair enough if carrying lots of things or the car has more than just the driver, or vans/trades going about their business. But for short journeys loads and loads of people could just use a bike. Weather permitting of course.

Marco_Panettone

motch wrote: »

Does seem a bit crazy why there are so many cars on the road travelling across my town jamming it up basically. Fair enough if carrying lots of things or the car has more than just the driver, or vans/trades going about their business. But for short journeys loads and loads of people could just use a bike. Weather permitting of course.

Ice is the only excuse not to ride. Anything else can be beaten with the right clothes. Once you're numb it stops hurting anyway...:p

motch

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

Ice is the only excuse not to ride. Anything else can be beaten with the right clothes. Once you're numb it stops hurting anyway...:p

Yeah I put the last bit so the softies can ride most of the spring/summer/autumn at least have to introduce em slowly.

Throbbe

motch wrote: »

I think for any new big areas and town/s built in the future around the country, which is likely to happen over the coming years, that the infastructure needs to based around cycling first and then add the others to suit. Rather than as a afterthought for cycles.

If it's easier to get around safely and quicker on bicycles than cars it will have a far higher take up.

I would certainly like to see it myself, but to play devils advocate, this may not see a significant shift from cars to bikes for local journeys.

http://www.roadswerenotbuiltforcars.com/stevenage/

I'd be interested to hear local experience on why people think it's underused. I worked in Peterborough for a few years, and while they have some good cycle links they also seemed to not get much use. I got the impression that people were concerned about antisocial behaviour/personal safety as they weren't particularly overlooked.

princeofpounds

Really interesting document thanks for the link.

However, I read it and the phrase I can't shake is 'substantially segregated'. Just can't help feeling they will have a proper cycle path until it turns difficult, which is usually precisely where they were most needed.

At least there seems to be a tacit admission the cycle superhighway concept was worthless. Spray a bit of blue paint on the floor and that's about it. Didn't even stop people from parking in them!

Guesthouse

Up here in the "Energy" (i.e. "Oil") Capital of Europe, gas guzzlers are the way to go.
What cycle lanes there are don't necessarily go where you want to go and then stop when you most need them leaving you to deal with 3 lanes of rush hour traffic.
Even a council plan to provide a new city centre corridor (fully compliant with latest guidelines and Scottish Government statements on sustainable transport) had the cycle lanes bodged up with unnecessary road crossings etc.