Segregated cycle superhighways set for go-ahead in London

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/04/segregated-cycle-lanes-london-tfl

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Transport for London (TfL) is expected on Wednesday to confirm plans for a series of cycle superhighways that could revolutionise transport in the capital.

Under consideration is a series of new or upgraded bike lanes, many of them based on the principle of fully segregating cyclists from motor traffic for the first time.

Most ambitious is an 18-mile segregated route from Tower Hill in the east to Acton in the west, running through the centre of the city.

If TfL’s 17-member board headed by London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, votes in favour of the measures, the first diggers could start work within weeks and the routes could be open by spring 2016, just before Johnson leaves office.

Cycling groups say the lanes could significantly boost cyclist numbers, opening the way for more such routes, both in London and elsewhere in the UK.

The plans also include a shorter north-south segregated route and six new or upgraded cycle superhighways. But the focus is on the east-west lane, grandly billed as the longest segregated route in Europe.

The forces in favour seem overwhelming: Johnson, with all his political capital and democratic mandate, is a key proponent, and a nine-week consultation involving 21,500 people or organisations found 84% in favour.

But the plans have faced fearsome opposition from powerful business interest groups, notably Canary Wharf Group, Westminster council and the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), which represents about a third of London’s 25,000 black-cab drivers.

Related: Tomorrow's vote on segregated cycle superhighways could help make London a city of the future

Those against the cyclepaths largely say they support the principle of the lanes but want to change the route, notably diverting it away from Parliament Square, the bus gyratory next to parliament.

The LTDA is applying for a judicial review of the consultation process, which opponents fear could delay the work and which has prompted a furious reaction among some cyclists.

“You can’t believe the amount of emails and tweets I’ve been getting,” said Steve McNamara, general secretary of the LTDA. “Some of it is quite outrageous. I’ve been threatened with violence. But I’m 6ft 2in, I weigh 15 stone, and I grew up in Hackney. They don’t scare me.”

McNamara said the LTDA wanted to see the route built, just not as planned.

“We’re genuinely, absolutely, 100% all for segregated cycle lanes. I think it’s the only way forward. London is falling behind. But it’s all being done the wrong way.”

Parts of the east-west route would cause “major chaos”, McNamara warned.

Cycling groups argue that any further delay would keep riders at risk for longer, particularly from lorries, which form less than 5% of overall traffic in London but are involved in about half of all cyclist deaths.

On Monday a male cyclist died in Homerton, east London, when he was crushed by a tipper lorry.

They also argue that the new lanes, which will give cyclists protection at junctions and their own traffic light sequences, will make cycling much more inclusive.

TfL data released on Monday showed that London cyclist numbers rose 10% last year, but riders remain disproportionately young and male, the group viewed as most willing to mix with speeding traffic.

Rosie Downes, campaigns manager for London Cycling Campaign, said she believed the time had come for the routes.

“Obviously, there has been some resistance. But the mayor has made it very clear he thinks this is something that should go ahead, and there has been a strong and very clear response from Londoners.

“There’s a recognition now that trying to stop or delay the plans is not going to be a wise political move.”

Johnson’s cycling commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, said it would be “a momentous day”.

He added: “I think it will go through, and for the first time London will be spending really serious money on cycling, and producing a facility which has met with universal praise from cyclists.

“What I’m hoping is that when this opens people will see that the traffic doesn’t melt down, and the world doesn’t come to an end, and it will open the way to more in the future.”

What is the TfL board voting on?

Two brand new segregated cycle routes – 18 miles east-west and three mile north-south – as well as a segregated expansion of cycle superhighway 5, from Oval to Pimlico, and upgrades to five other existing routes.

What’s different about the planned new routes?

After much criticism of the first generation of cycle superhighways, where cyclists were provided with nothing more than blue painted lanes that other vehicles could travel in, the new routes involve segregation from motor traffic and redesigned junctions, taking in lessons from mass cycling nations such as the Netherlands.

Where will the new lanes go?

The shorter route connects Elephant and Castle in south-east inner London to King’s Cross, just north of the centre. The longer route is between Acton in the far west and Tower Hill, just east of the centre. There it links up with an existing bike route to Barking, further east.

Why the controversy?

Boris Johnson and cycling groups argue that segregation is the only way to protect cyclists from danger and promote mass cycling. Opponents say they take too much space from motor traffic and will bring gridlock.

Why is cycling seen as a good thing?

More people on bikes means safer roads, less vehicle pollution and less crowding on public transport. Perhaps most significantly, cycling is good for health, a particular boon in a nation where more than 80,000 deaths a year are attributable to physical inactivity.