Aerial Cycle Highways

[Davidsw8]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23672538

So, this isn't a new idea but there's some new information (to me) on here about it, namely that they're suggesting cyclists would pay with their Oyster cards to use it.

I don't think the highway itself is a bad idea but charging for it is certainly counterintuitive to why many people cycle commute to work, i.e. to save a heap of money... I realise these things have to be paid for but aren't the increase in cyclists/decrease in motorists going to save the powers-that-be money in the long run with regards to decreased pollution and increased overall health?

I think there are a few other issues with these highways and there may be better solutions at road level that don't involve hoiking us up high. I'm also thinking (and I'm not sure on the science of this), if cyclists are huffing and puffing away above the traffic, don't exhaust fumes and other pollutants tend to rise upwards? i.e. is it better to be IN the traffic or ABOVE it in that respect?

 

[Beebo]

I wouldnt worry too much, it will never happen.

 

[Davidsw8]

I wouldnt worry too much, it will never happen.

Ah ok

 

[fabregas485]

If the ridelondon freecycle was anything to go by, this idea would not work. You would have a group of people (very much like today) who feel free to weave all over the place.

 

[Davidc]

It's like another that's in there - the Severn Barrage. That one comes up every few years, then someone looks at the Sabrina Project (1970s) work and decides that perhaps it's not so clever after all.

This idea has surfaced in different guises over the years, for pedestrians, monorails, cars, trains, and every time it's rejected on any combination from at least ten reasons.

 

[thefollen]

That'd be a great bit of SCR!

 

[downfader]

A raised platform cycleway was created over a hundred years ago in America, it didnt last long as the motorcar kind of stole its thunder

 

[gaz]

I would pay a small fee to use something like that if it was non stop from my local train station to one of the main line london ones.

Just think, small fee for traffic free routes and no red lights.

 

[StuartG]

So cyclists are tolled, cars go free. Just like the Blackwall Tunnel/Airway Thingy. Hmmm ... I think we need to go for a bit of equality here. Toll cyclists when they toll cars. A factor of 10:1 would seem reasonable in the amount of space used.

Bring it on!

 

[Archie_tect]

Bikes will outlast cars as we know them so we just need to improve the existing infrastructure and play the waiting game...

 

[Hill Wimp]

If it ever happened, which i very much doubt, i would certainly be happy to pay to use it. Shame it never will.

 

[Brandane]

I realise these things have to be paid for but aren't the increase in cyclists/decrease in motorists going to save the powers-that-be money in the long run with regards to decreased pollution and increased overall health?

Or is it the first signs of a worried Treasury that with the increase in cycling and downturn in motorised traffic, they will be losing a fortune through less fuel being burnt? They have to make up the shortfall somewhere, so they could well turn to the cyclists who are replacing the motorists.
Don't kid yourself that increased health is necessarily a good thing for the Government. They don't want us all living too long as that will cost too much in pensions and caring for us in old age. Work all your life and pay your taxes, then drop dead when you reach pensionable age; that would suit them nicely.

 

[ianrauk]

A raised platform cycleway was created over a hundred years ago in America, it didnt last long as the motorcar kind of stole its thunder

Indeed, in 1897

 

[fossyant]

Indeed, in 1897

I can see the issue here, there was no 45 degree banking on the turns. No wonder it failed. LOL