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Boris Johnson has this morning opened two of the proposed twelve Cycle Superhighways.
Direct routes between both Barking and Tower Gateway, as well as Merton and the City have been opened to hundreds of cyclists ready to give each a spin – assuming Vince Cable’s driver, parked in one lane recently, moves his car…
It is estimated that around 5,000 journeys were made daily on each route before the highway’s installation. Transport for London now home to multiply this number many times over in the coming years.
A further ten Superhighways are planned to open throughout the Capital and surrounding areas over the next year.
Further benefits to cyclists along the routes include:
• trialing 37 cycle safety (‘Trixi’) mirrors at junctions, giving drivers of large vehicles better visibility of cyclists when preparing to turn left
• introducing 84 new Advanced Stop Lines at least 5m deep at junctions along both routes, providing a space for cyclists to wait at lights ahead of the queue of traffic
• installing new segregated cycle lanes at the Stockwell Gyratory on the Merton to the City route, and upgrading existing segregated lanes at the Elephant and Castle bypass and on Southwark Bridge, Cable Street and the A13
• realigning traffic and bus lanes to create more space for cyclists on busy stretches of the Superhighways, for example on the southbound section of the A24 at the junction of Kennington Road and Brixton Road
Among further funding provided for the overhaul of cycling in the City, TfL has also provided cash for around 5,000 cycle parking spaces, over 17,000 hours of cycle training and more than 3,000 hours of cycle maintenance sessions.
TfL has already installed 300 new cycle parking spaces along both pilot routes to cater for the anticipated increased demand from cyclists using the Barclays Cycle Superhighways.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “You have got to have a powerful and visible statement on the roads that asserts to every Londoner, whether on two wheels or four, that the Capital is a cycling city. The road space is there for everyone and I am confident that our Superhighways will help switch legions of Londoners on to the pleasures of a pedal powered commute.
“Alongside Barclays Cycle Hire, these radial routes are set to transform our great city into one where cycling is the first choice for many thousands of Londoners. As well as being good for your health and wallet, encouraging more people to commute to work by bike will in turn help us improve air quality, cut carbon emissions and reduce congestion on the transport network.”
Cathy Turner, Barclays Human Resources Director said: “We are delighted that the first two Barclays Cycle Superhighways are now up and running and we look forward to seeing thousands of Londoners use them every day. Together with Barclays Cycle Hire, Londoners and visitors to the Capital will now have more transport options that are both environmentally friendly and a healthy means of getting around the Capital, and we are confident that they will have a lasting positive impact on London and the lives of Londoners.”
