Cycle Super-Highways

[Lurker]

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

View: http://vimeo.com/12031490

My reading of this footage (excellent video quality BTW!) is that the blue strip is largely an irrelevance to fast cyclists such as yourself - and is likely to encourage unsafe cycling (positioning close to junction mouths) and invite aggression from ignorant motorists.

 

[Origamist]

My reading of this footage (excellent video quality BTW!) is that the blue strip is largely an irrelevance to fast cyclists such as yourself - and is likely to encourage unsafe cycling (positioning close to junction mouths) and invite aggression from ignorant motorists.

That's one of my fears too.

I intend to film the whole stretch with an overlaid critique of smurf alley and the hazards on various parts of the CS7 route. I'll then send this worthy but dull video to TFL for their comments.

 

[StuartG]

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

Me!

I accept the criticisms. But then I am a gradualist and positive criticism of the lanes is the lever for the next step. Copenhagen wasn't built in a day - it has taken 40 years of slow progress to create today's cycling nirvana - and I don't think London could be any faster. Just look on CS7 as day one in a long haul for cyclists to get a fair share of the street.

Fair shares also means we have to generate volume. Blue lines do show a route non-cyclists did not know existed, it is a temptation to try and with all the other Boris hype it is silly to put people off.

The problem is when they realise how inadequate they are - will they hang in and demand more rather than be put off?

And while us regulars rightly decry much of the hype to be Boris' ego politics - the answers to the questions above do show tiny but welcome improvements to junctions on the route that may otherwise never have happened.

If they do restrict the 'hook left' at the Oval to buses/taxis/bikes - that will almost be a victory in itself!

 

[Origamist]

And while us regulars rightly decry much of the hype to be Boris' ego politics - the answers to the questions above do show tiny but welcome improvements to junctions on the route that may otherwise never have happened.

If they do restrict the 'hook left' at the Oval to buses/taxis/bikes - that will almost be a victory in itself!

This is the plan for Oval:

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.

 

[gaz]

That's one of my fears too.

I intend to film the whole stretch with an overlaid critique of smurf alley and the hazards on various parts of the CS7 route. I'll then send this worthy but dull video to TFL for their comments.

I will be doing something similar. although i expect they have already seen my videos on some of the junctions. If you can get your stuff posted on various blogs, news articles and by the CTC and LCC then it gets a lot of views!

 

[jonesy]

Me!

I accept the criticisms. But then I am a gradualist and positive criticism of the lanes is the lever for the next step. Copenhagen wasn't built in a day - it has taken 40 years of slow progress to create today's cycling nirvana - and I don't think London could be any faster. Just look on CS7 as day one in a long haul for cyclists to get a fair share of the street.

Fair shares also means we have to generate volume. Blue lines do show a route non-cyclists did not know existed, it is a temptation to try and with all the other Boris hype it is silly to put people off.

The problem is when they realise how inadequate they are - will they hang in and demand more rather than be put off?

And while us regulars rightly decry much of the hype to be Boris' ego politics - the answers to the questions above do show tiny but welcome improvements to junctions on the route that may otherwise never have happened.

If they do restrict the 'hook left' at the Oval to buses/taxis/bikes - that will almost be a victory in itself!

I generally agree. The big advance the CSH represent is the recognition that cycle routes need to be direct and that means following the main roads, not taking hard to follow detours round side streets and onto narrow gravelly canal paths etc. Once that principle is established then providing continuity and priority through junctions is more likely to follow.

 

[Origamist]

I generally agree. The big advance the CSH represent is the recognition that cycle routes need to be direct and that means following the main roads, not taking hard to follow detours round side streets and onto narrow gravelly canal paths etc. Once that principle is established then providing continuity and priority through junctions is more likely to follow.

Indeed - TFL rubber-stamping these arterial routes for commuters is a step forward. That said, the A-roads that many of the CSs are incorporating are already very popular with cyclists and TFL is doing little more than belatedly piggybacking on their success. I'm sure some of the interventions will improve after feedback - it's the current transitional/testing period that concerns me.

 

[BentMikey]

Barclays cycle highways? As in a "barclays bank"? Aaaahaahaahaaahaa, that'd be about right.

 

[gaz]

Barclays cycle highways? As in a "barclays bank"? Aaaahaahaahaaahaa, that'd be about right.

This would explain the blue. A plan all along?

 

[Titan yer tummy]

Can anyone send me a link to the Penge route. All the links I find seem to lead nowhere nowadays. Not the straight line diagram - though I haven't found one of those either - but the actual road by road route.

Many thanks!

 

[Origamist]

Can anyone send me a link to the Penge route. All the links I find seem to lead nowhere nowadays. Not the straight line diagram - though I haven't found one of those either - but the actual road by road route.

Many thanks!

I don't think the details have been released yet. CS6 is not scheduled to open until 2015.

 

[clarion]

You're not missing much.

 

[StuartG]

Can anyone send me a link to the Penge route.

The outline follows the 176 bus route from the Kirkdale (wobbly) roundabout in Sydenham to the Elephant where it joins CS7. The Penge to Sydenham sector isn't agreed by anyone AFAIK. Venner Road is touted by Lewisham but I would prefer Lawrie Park Road/CP Park Road.

 

[Origamist]

Revealed: new look for Elephant & Castle southern junction

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4584

 

[clarion]

OK. I'm a regular through that junction, and I think that's actually an improvement. I see the introduction of traffic lights as a possible boon, though I hope that drivers don't try to ghettoise me onto those narrow lanes at the lights on the RAB.