Cycle Super-Highways

[Wheeledweenie]

I haven't had the chance to go along route 3. But I will be filming the whole route once it is finished.

I'm hoping it's improved since the original proposals but I doubt it. It's near my work and ends near my house so let me know if you want company!

 

[gaz]

Some stuff I overlooked at the LCC
http://lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1821 - My video on the junction design.

http://lcc.org.uk/index.asp?Pageid=1819 - TFL's response to the critiscium they have been receiving.. Which is:

TfL is introducing a range of measures to improve safety along the routes.
These include the introduction of cycle lanes, more Advanced Stop Lines, realignment of some lanes and junctions and re-designing crossings.
There is great demand for space on London’s road network and in many areas the roads are very narrow, so it’s not possible to provide separated lanes for cyclists.
TfL is, however, introducing new segregated cycle lanes at some locations, for example at the Stockwell Gyratory.
We’re also increasing the amount of cycle parking along the routes, providing cycle training for those wanting to build their skills and confidence, and providing bike maintenance sessions to support the increased number of cyclists that we anticipate using both routes.

[/I]

 

[Molecule Man]

Cycle Superhighways – Waste of Paint or Copenhagenization?

Podcast:

http://thebikeshow.net/cycle-superhighways-waste-of-paint-or-copenhagenization/

I heard that, lots of criticism from Charlie Lloyd of the London Cycling Campaign and others. Did I hear this bit right? I'm sure the presenter mentions at one one point that Transport for London got the police to stop traffic when they were filming one of their promotional videos for the scheme?! Hence it looks lovely and quiet with hardly any traffic to bother the cyclists.

 

[Origamist]

Did I hear this bit right? I'm sure the presenter mentions at one one point that Transport for London got the police to stop traffic when they were filming one of their promotional videos for the scheme?! Hence it looks lovely and quiet with hardly any traffic to bother the cyclists.

Yes, you heard right - read more about the stage-management here:

https://www.cyclechat.net/

 

[Tinuts]

Cycle Super Highways - total nonsense. This is yet another attempt to appear cycle friendly without actually doing anything substantive to counter the most cycle un-friendly aspect of cycling in London: motorists. it's so easy just to paint a few more lines on the road and pretend that it makes cycling safer. It's very simple: install the usual cycle lanes and then legislate a minimum overtaking distance - and enforce it. Problem solved.

 

[gaz]

An article from the Evening standard - http://lydall.standard.co.uk/2010/0...cycle-superhighways-are-the-road-to-hell.html

And treehugger - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/cycle-superhighways-or-bluewashed-bike-paths.php

 

[Origamist]

The lanes are advisory at present, but TFL will be reviewing this. Interestingly, there is going to be some initial reseach posted on the CS pages in the next few weeks about the effect of the blue lanes through junctions.

On another matter, the CS lanes are making it considerably harder to filter on the offside as the central gap between the traffic lanes has diminished.

 

[gaz]

On another matter, the CS lanes are making it considerably harder to filter on the offside as the central gap between the traffic lanes has diminished.

Yes, I'm really not feeling comfortable filtering on the left!

 

[Jezston]

So is there ANYONE who thinks that the cycle superhighways are a good idea apart from the people earning money from it?

 

[Origamist]

So is there ANYONE who thinks that the cycle superhighways are a good idea apart from the people earning money from it?

I think we need to make a distinction between the blue lanes that are being deployed (which may improve after testing/consultation) and the additional measures that are wrapped up with the CSs -these are far more beneficial for cyclists, for example: re-surfacing, more bike stands, more cycle training etc

 

[Origamist]

Short vid from Balham to Tooting Bec, shot on my new cam:

View: http://vimeo.com/12031490

 

[gaz]

Short vid from Balham to Tooting Bec, shot on my new cam:

View: http://vimeo.com/12031490

I like, Did you mount that with extra bar tape? really smooth

 

[EC2boy]

I noticed the blue line has come nearer my route overnight. There's now an entire 20metre long ASL equivalent heading south on Clapham Road at Caldwell Street. It takes up the entire left hand lane. What the CSH seems to me is to be creating a sort of ambiguous space. They've widened the bus lanes by about a foot (although I noticed last night they've done the same all the way along Albert Embankment at Vauxhall as well now) and then removed the 'Bus Lane' signs. Where the bus lane ends at Clapham Road, they've removed the white line separating the lanes but filled the whole left hand lane with blue paint. It's really weird. If I were a motorist, I'd look at that and probably not be sure what do with it. If another car was waiting there, I imagine I'd probably just wait behind them as there's no line telling me to keep out, just a lot of blue which doesn't mean much to me. All very odd.

One thing I have noticed which is good, though, is that they're narrowing the hatchings that separate the lanes in the middle of the road so that cars don't push over as much towards the left of the road. That's a good step actually.

One other bad thing: heading north from Oval towards Elephant I then turn left into Kennington Road. That used to be a bus lane and a second lane going to the left. They've now narrowed it to what feels like one a bit lanes. So, as you turn left, cars and lorries are overtaking you and then slow down right in front of you or even pull right across you to take the corner. So, at the moment (it's not finished yet), they've turned that left turn into something that feels positively more dangerous than it was.

 

[Origamist]

I like, Did you mount that with extra bar tape? really smooth

Yes, that's with the handlebar mount and bar tape. It's smoother than I thought, but I was running 28mm tyres and the road was not too bumpy. It did drop a few frames, but I blame the class 2 card which is not high enough spec. The light wasn't too great either as it was 8pm.

Shot at 720 HD/30fps. The lens angle is 170 so it's wider than yours and there's less visual detail than the Contour as a consequence.

The waterproof case is excellent and I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality.

What speed was the black Audi doing?

 

[Origamist]

Mayoral questions:

20mph Speed Limits

Question No: 1448 / 2010

Valerie Shawcross

Concerned cyclists in Lambeth have asked me to put the following further
question to you: In your response to Question No: 1191 / 2010 you state that TfL is investigating the potential of 20mph speed limits at locations on the cycle superhighways. Implementation would be dependant on the 'potential benefits that may be derived.' The "potential benefits" are well documented - that is reduction in road deaths and injuries - so why not consider 20mph on the whole CSH?

Answer from the Mayor

A significant proportion of the Cycle Superhighways will be on TfL's road
network, which performs a strategic role as it carries around a third of the
traffic in London but represents only 5% of the total number of roads. A
blanket 20mph speed limit would impact on the ability of traffic to move
around London.

TfL will continue to consider where a 20mph speed limit may be beneficial at specific locations on the Cycle Superhighways, and is currently reviewing the potential for 20mph limits on Southwark Bridge Road in conjunction with the London Borough of Southwark.

*


Left turning vehicles to Brixton on cycle superhighway

Question No: 1449 / 2010

Valerie Shawcross

Cyclists going from the centre of London to Clapham on the CSH through the Oval are in danger from speeding left turning vehicles going to Brixton. Are TfL going to carry out works to either remove this left turn for general motor traffic, or at the very least tighten up the geometry to reduce the speed of left turning traffic? If not, why not

Answer from the Mayor

This junction, on Cycle Superhighway route 7, is being modified to remove
the left turn slip road onto Brixton Road for general traffic. Left turning
traffic will instead be brought to a signalised stop line. The free flowing
left turn bus lane will be retained. This modification improves the geometry of the junction, and reduces conflict between cyclists continuing to Clapham and faster moving traffic turning left towards Brixton.

*

Railings on the cycle superhighway

Question No: 1450 / 2010

Valerie Shawcross

Railings are notorious for giving drivers the impression that they can speed
on a highway, in the absence of any commitment by the Mayor to an enforced 20 mph to reduce the likelihood of injuries to cyclists on the cycle superhighway, will all the railings in the area be removed to at the very least encourage drivers to slow down?

Answer from the Mayor

Ineffective and unnecessary guard railing is already being removed at a
number of locations along the Cycle Superhighways pilot routes. This
includes: Marshalsea Road, Newington Butts, Kennington Oval, and Tooting Broadway on route 7, and Watney Street, Sorrell Lane, Freemasons Road and Forty Acre Lane on route 3. TfL will retain pedestrian guard railing on the Transport for London Road Network only where it provides a clear safety benefit.