BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Work has begun on two new Barclays Cycle Superhighway routes for the capital.
Due to open in July 2011, the two routes will run from Bow to Aldgate (CS2) and Wandsworth to Westminster (C28).
In addition Transport for London and Mayor of London Boris Johnson has promised funding to benefit cycle facilities in boroughs along the routes, including City, Tower Hamlets, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Wandsworth.
The improvements will include:
-Cycle parking (on-street and residential) along the routes, within 1.5 km of the new Superhighways
-Cycle training for residents to improve commuter skills and safety awareness
-Cycle checks from the launch of the new highways to autumn 2011 to check people’s bicycles are safe to ride
“The striking blue paint is now being laid down for another two of the 12 Barclays Cycle Superhighways the Mayor has committed to delivering,” said Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s transport advisor. “Thousands of Londoners have been using the first two highways and by the end of this summer we will have four direct cycle routes into the centre of the capital.
“But these are more than just cycle lanes – there is also increased cycle parking and more training, and we are working with businesses along the routes to ensure everyone who wants to can take to the cleanest, greenest form of commuter transport.”
Sustrans has welcomed the promised funding for the boroughs.
“We know that creating routes for cycling doesn’t work in isolation,” commented Eleanor Besley, policy advisor at Sustrans. “People need to be actively encouraged onto their bikes and onto the cycle routes. With this in mind, it’s great to see Transport for London announcing that boroughs along the new superhighway will have new funding available for things like cycle training, cycle parking and bike safety checks.
‘The Outer London Boroughs have significant congestion, air quality and obesity problems and analysis shows that more than half of the potentially cyclable trips in the capital are in these boroughs. The Mayor recently announced £4million funding for ‘biking boroughs’, which was a welcome pot of money, but split between 13 Outer London Boroughs it will not be enough to maximise the potential.”
TfL director of Better Routes and Places Ben Plowden said: “We are working hard to ensure cycling in London is safe, easy and most importantly fun for everyone. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of our free cycle training, whether you are experienced and in need of a ‘refresh ‘or a new London cyclist who would like to improve their confidence skills, our cycle training caters for everyone. Once you start to cycle you will wonder why you hadn’t done it sooner – the health benefits are also instantly noticeable.”
The first two Cycle Superhighways launched in London last summer.
