London East-West and North-South Cycle Superhighways

[srw]

And the most difficult to implement. Not only is poltiical will for enforcement so poor that laws such as 20mph which have been proven to reduce risk are ignored - and flouted - by the police, but even if the police suddenly decided that they were worth policing they would have a huge task in do this effectively.

Not in the City of London, where there is police and political will to do so.

And filtered permeability is a good option not just because it is cheap, easy, and effective on the road where it is implemented, but because - if done with care - it can calm and reduce traffic in an entire area.

What do you mean by "filtered permeability"?

 

[EthelF]

Not in the City of London, where there is police and political will to do so.

Sadly not my experience of riding New Bridge Street, Farringdon Street, Smithfield and the Beech Street tunnel every day. Just about every motor vehicle exceeds the limit where the opportunity arises.

 

[Glow worm]

Ah. Light dawns. In Holland they called this "Stop killing children".

I forgot to include publicly available hire bikes so that people don't even need to own their own, by the way.

For the umpteenth time I get all that. And what's the modal share of cycling in the uk?

 

[srw]

For the umpteenth time I get all that. And what's the modal share of cycling in the uk?

A damn sight higher than it was 20 years ago, and in London a stonkingly damn sight.

 

[Glow worm]

A damn sight higher than it was 20 years ago, and in London a stonkingly damn sight.

You're happy with 2 per cent then. I do get your point of view, but I see nothing there for example for the countless people who've come up to me over the years and said they'd love to cycle but are too afraid of the traffic.

 

[stowie]

Not in the City of London, where there is police and political will to do so.

What do you mean by "filtered permeability"?

Yes, the 1 square mile will be policed for 20mph. The MET appear to have said they won't be bothering policing 20mph in the rest of the city.

Filtered permeability - I assure you it isn't my term, but I take it to be a poncy way of saying that roads will have bollards or flower beds arranged in such a way as to block through traffic except for cycles / walking / possible motorcycles. I think that, done correctly with local resident engagement, it is one of those quick, cheap wins that can have a really large effect on local areas. I cycle through Hackney and some areas have become almost car free (aside from parking and local access) because of some clever road closures. Waltham Forest are planning to implement similar schemes to stop the huge amount of rat-running that occurs in some residential areas.

BTW - looking at the plans for the cycle ways, I am largely in favour of them.

 

[EthelF]

Am I? Why?

Because signposted routes could also be argued to be a restricted number of roads that have been designated as suitable for cycling?

 

[Glow worm]

It doesn't.

Correct.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Listen. I'm getting terribly bored pointed out that "the Dutch lesson" isn't actually what you think it is.

So you keep saying, but the evidence is very much against you.

Anyway, we are going round in circles. Bottom-line: I welcome the two proposed routes, have supported them and am actively encouraging other people to do the same.

I'm a confident London cyclist, happy to mix it with traffic. These facilities are not really aimed at people like me, but I'm sure once they are in place I'll use them and enjoy them, just as I do similar facilities in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden ...

 

[CopperBrompton]

But, once again, how are these unconfident new cyclists going to get to the route in the first place?

It joins up with the existing segregated path that currently ends at Tower Bridge.

Why do they want to make this restricted choice of journey?

Because not all cyclists are like us, happy to mix it with trucks and buses and taxis and Addison Lee hitmen. It's honestly not a complicated concept.

 

[Glow worm]

But it does do something else. It makes people think that the road isn't for cyclists.

Evidence?

 

[CopperBrompton]

It seems a bit of a stunted ambition to have for other people.

It's not for me to have 'ambitions' for other people's cycling preferences. If someone prefers segregated routes and will use them when provided, that's all to the good.

 

[Glow worm]

Have you never read this sort of stuff?

I try my best not to - but thanks for that! You'll be posting Daily Fail or Rod 'sh**forbrains' Liddle links next.

I still can't see why you feel closing some roads off for motorised traffic while still enabling two way cycling routes is 'reducing suitability' for cyclists?

 

[Glow worm]

That would be because I don't.

Great. Have a scone.

 

[glenn forger]

http://www.theguardian.com/environm...don-business-living-in-the-past?commentpage=1