and the lights.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Loving London at night
Monday, 21 November 2011
Colour choice for Cycle Superhighways
I've just discovered that Mauve dye was invented on Cable Street, now part of CS3. What a shame TfL didn't pick up on that to personalise the paint on this route.
It reminded me that in January 2009, when the Cycling Superhighways were still an unknown thing that I wrote a spoof press release, for a cycling forum, which TfL may wish to refer to in their junctions review:
Details of first London Cycling Super Highway announced.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and Transport for London have announced plans for cycle highways - a set of twelve high-profile radial routes into and out of Central London that will concentrate cycle flows and provide a fast and efficient way into the centre.
Each route will have a clear identity, e.g. 'Docklands Cycle Highway' or 'Northern Line Cycle Highway', with consistent and easy to follow road markings and signs.
The first to be created is planned to be the Northern Line Cycle Highway, initially between Tooting Broadway in South London and Camden Town in North London. The ambition is that it will open in autumn 2009, with work commencing in the spring.
A spokesman said, "This can be implemented easily and cheaply. The Highway will take the existing TfL Red Route along the A24 from Tooting Broadway past Tooting Bec, Balham, Clapham South, to Clapham Common. It will then take the A3 Red Route past Clapham North to Stockwell.
From Stockwell the Highway will take the route planned for the Cross River Tram, which the Mayor and TFL stated last November will no longer be taken forward. It will follow the A3 through Oval to Elephant and Castle, then cross over Waterloo Bridge to Aldwych and up Kingsway to Mornington Crescent, Euston and Camden Town.
The proposed Cross River Tram was expected to carry 9,000 people per hour per direction in peak periods and the Mayor had committed to assess alternative solutions. The Cycle Highway is able to exceed the capacity of the Tram for a fraction of the cost. As well as conventional bicyles, electric bicycles and mobility chairs will be allowed to use the standard lane-width Highway to ensure the widest range of people can benefit."
In a radical departure from conventional cycle lanes, the Cycle Highway will have dedicated use of the central lanes of the road in each direction and these will be designated with coloured tarmac. There will be marked feeder lanes onto and off the Cycle Highway at each junction for cyclists to merge into the Cycle Highway traffic. All motorised vehicles will use the lanes adjacent to the pavement and will have to give way to cyclists using the feeder lanes.
To avoid lengthy delays at bus stops the old Routemaster buses will be reintroduced, pending delivery of the new design, allowing pedestrians to board and alight whenever the bus is stationary. As cyclists will not be filtering on the inside of the buses the Routemaster design is safe to use.
At most cross-roads motorised traffic wishing to cross the Cycle Highway will have to give way until a suitable gap exists to cross, as will traffic wishing to turn across the Highway. The intention is that cyclists will, with one or two exceptions, not have traffic lights hindering their progress.
Journey time for an average cyclist between tube stations is calculated to be similar to the time taken by tube and faster than existing road traffic.
Ambulances, Fire Engines and Police Cars responding to emergencies will use the Cycle Highway. Motorists will have to stop in their lane and cyclists stop on the edge of their lane or in gaps in the motorised traffic until the emergency service vehicle (which is limited to 30mph on the Highway) has passed.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is understood to want to create original 'Grands Projets' in the manner of former French President Francois Mitterand. Cycling Super Highways, expected to be known colloquially as Bicycle Only Journey Options (BOJOs), are to be his first.
TfL have neither confirmed nor denied that it is intended that the Cycle Highways will have tarmac the colour of the matching tube line on maps. Specialist cycle clothing company Rapha are expected to be interested in sponsoring this first route if the official Northern Line colour can be changed to Metrosexual Pink, through a simple swap with the Hammersmith and City Line, and rumours are now circulating that Rapha/Condor could secure options on the sites of the former Woolworth stores along the routes in a bid to challenge dominant retailers Halfords and Evans. Wiggle were a possible source of sponsorship, as the Highway is likely to form part of the English side of the London to Paris cycle route. However it is now thought that this part of the route is too direct to suit their brand image.
It reminded me that in January 2009, when the Cycling Superhighways were still an unknown thing that I wrote a spoof press release, for a cycling forum, which TfL may wish to refer to in their junctions review:
Details of first London Cycling Super Highway announced.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and Transport for London have announced plans for cycle highways - a set of twelve high-profile radial routes into and out of Central London that will concentrate cycle flows and provide a fast and efficient way into the centre.
Each route will have a clear identity, e.g. 'Docklands Cycle Highway' or 'Northern Line Cycle Highway', with consistent and easy to follow road markings and signs.
The first to be created is planned to be the Northern Line Cycle Highway, initially between Tooting Broadway in South London and Camden Town in North London. The ambition is that it will open in autumn 2009, with work commencing in the spring.
A spokesman said, "This can be implemented easily and cheaply. The Highway will take the existing TfL Red Route along the A24 from Tooting Broadway past Tooting Bec, Balham, Clapham South, to Clapham Common. It will then take the A3 Red Route past Clapham North to Stockwell.
From Stockwell the Highway will take the route planned for the Cross River Tram, which the Mayor and TFL stated last November will no longer be taken forward. It will follow the A3 through Oval to Elephant and Castle, then cross over Waterloo Bridge to Aldwych and up Kingsway to Mornington Crescent, Euston and Camden Town.
The proposed Cross River Tram was expected to carry 9,000 people per hour per direction in peak periods and the Mayor had committed to assess alternative solutions. The Cycle Highway is able to exceed the capacity of the Tram for a fraction of the cost. As well as conventional bicyles, electric bicycles and mobility chairs will be allowed to use the standard lane-width Highway to ensure the widest range of people can benefit."
In a radical departure from conventional cycle lanes, the Cycle Highway will have dedicated use of the central lanes of the road in each direction and these will be designated with coloured tarmac. There will be marked feeder lanes onto and off the Cycle Highway at each junction for cyclists to merge into the Cycle Highway traffic. All motorised vehicles will use the lanes adjacent to the pavement and will have to give way to cyclists using the feeder lanes.
To avoid lengthy delays at bus stops the old Routemaster buses will be reintroduced, pending delivery of the new design, allowing pedestrians to board and alight whenever the bus is stationary. As cyclists will not be filtering on the inside of the buses the Routemaster design is safe to use.
At most cross-roads motorised traffic wishing to cross the Cycle Highway will have to give way until a suitable gap exists to cross, as will traffic wishing to turn across the Highway. The intention is that cyclists will, with one or two exceptions, not have traffic lights hindering their progress.
Journey time for an average cyclist between tube stations is calculated to be similar to the time taken by tube and faster than existing road traffic.
Ambulances, Fire Engines and Police Cars responding to emergencies will use the Cycle Highway. Motorists will have to stop in their lane and cyclists stop on the edge of their lane or in gaps in the motorised traffic until the emergency service vehicle (which is limited to 30mph on the Highway) has passed.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is understood to want to create original 'Grands Projets' in the manner of former French President Francois Mitterand. Cycling Super Highways, expected to be known colloquially as Bicycle Only Journey Options (BOJOs), are to be his first.
TfL have neither confirmed nor denied that it is intended that the Cycle Highways will have tarmac the colour of the matching tube line on maps. Specialist cycle clothing company Rapha are expected to be interested in sponsoring this first route if the official Northern Line colour can be changed to Metrosexual Pink, through a simple swap with the Hammersmith and City Line, and rumours are now circulating that Rapha/Condor could secure options on the sites of the former Woolworth stores along the routes in a bid to challenge dominant retailers Halfords and Evans. Wiggle were a possible source of sponsorship, as the Highway is likely to form part of the English side of the London to Paris cycle route. However it is now thought that this part of the route is too direct to suit their brand image.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Nov 24-25: Will Vauxhall be the new Amsterdam?
Heads Up! Two open days are being held next week, about the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea redevelopments, on 24-25 November (full details below). They say there's:
o A chance to learn more about proposed improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and local public transport users.
o Information about planned improvements to existing streets and a new linear park.
Questions I have in mind include:
a) Given this scheme is second only to the Olympics as a London regeneration programme, how are they making sure they aren't making a Bow roundabout style cock-up at Vauxhall Cross?
b) Will the cycling infrastructure be going in ahead of the major developments or trailing after?
c) Will the linear park be designed as an adult and child friendly place with segregated, wide cycle paths linking all the developments along the line smoothly and efficiently.
d)Will Nine Elms Lane be a delight for families and commuters to cycle along?
e) Will the primary school being built have cycle parking for its pupils at ground floor level?
f) What percentage of children in year 6 and above at local schools have undertaken on-road cycle training. When do they expect to hit 90%?
g) What percentage of the spend on the tube line extension is being spent on cycling?
h) Are the developers requiring their building contractors to sign up to the Mayor's Freight Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) and ensure that all their freight drivers have undertaken TfL's Safe Urban Driving Course which includes on-road cycle training for drivers?
h) What residential (resident and visitor) and commercial/retail cycle parking is being provided? Is it convenient, secure and sufficient?
FULL DETAILS FROM LAMBETH:
The multi-million pound redevelopments that make up Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea, or VNEB, form one of London’s largest regeneration programmes – second only to the Olympic site. Over the next twenty years major investment will transform the area bringing with it new businesses and jobs, public spaces, homes and leisure facilities.
This is a complex and long term project with different types of improvements taking place over a number of years. The open days on 24 and 25 November will bring the key people from each area of expertise into one location, making it as easy as possible for local people and local groups to find the information that interests them most.
The VNEB open day events are free and open to all and a great chance to discover:
o The most up-to-date information about the VNEB redevelopments.
o An update on the Northern line extension that will link the whole area to the Tube network.
o A chance to learn more about proposed improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and local public transport users.
o Information about planned improvements to existing streets and a new linear park.
o A 3D model of the whole VNEB area.
o An opportunity to discuss proposals with the VNEB strategy board.
The open days will be held between 3pm-8pm on Thursday 24 November and 8am-6pm on Friday 25 November at Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, Vauxhall, SW8 5NQ.
The nearest tube and rail station is Vauxhall. Market Towers is the tall building on the south-western side of the Vauxhall one-way system. Use Exit 6 from Vauxhall tube station and it is the first building across Nine Elms Lane.
For more information visit: www.lambeth.gov.uk/vneb
If you would like to be added to, or unsubscribe from, the VNEB email update list please email us at this address: vneb@lambeth.gov.uk
o A chance to learn more about proposed improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and local public transport users.
o Information about planned improvements to existing streets and a new linear park.
Questions I have in mind include:
a) Given this scheme is second only to the Olympics as a London regeneration programme, how are they making sure they aren't making a Bow roundabout style cock-up at Vauxhall Cross?
b) Will the cycling infrastructure be going in ahead of the major developments or trailing after?
c) Will the linear park be designed as an adult and child friendly place with segregated, wide cycle paths linking all the developments along the line smoothly and efficiently.
d)Will Nine Elms Lane be a delight for families and commuters to cycle along?
e) Will the primary school being built have cycle parking for its pupils at ground floor level?
f) What percentage of children in year 6 and above at local schools have undertaken on-road cycle training. When do they expect to hit 90%?
g) What percentage of the spend on the tube line extension is being spent on cycling?
h) Are the developers requiring their building contractors to sign up to the Mayor's Freight Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) and ensure that all their freight drivers have undertaken TfL's Safe Urban Driving Course which includes on-road cycle training for drivers?
h) What residential (resident and visitor) and commercial/retail cycle parking is being provided? Is it convenient, secure and sufficient?
FULL DETAILS FROM LAMBETH:
The multi-million pound redevelopments that make up Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea, or VNEB, form one of London’s largest regeneration programmes – second only to the Olympic site. Over the next twenty years major investment will transform the area bringing with it new businesses and jobs, public spaces, homes and leisure facilities.
This is a complex and long term project with different types of improvements taking place over a number of years. The open days on 24 and 25 November will bring the key people from each area of expertise into one location, making it as easy as possible for local people and local groups to find the information that interests them most.
The VNEB open day events are free and open to all and a great chance to discover:
o The most up-to-date information about the VNEB redevelopments.
o An update on the Northern line extension that will link the whole area to the Tube network.
o A chance to learn more about proposed improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and local public transport users.
o Information about planned improvements to existing streets and a new linear park.
o A 3D model of the whole VNEB area.
o An opportunity to discuss proposals with the VNEB strategy board.
The open days will be held between 3pm-8pm on Thursday 24 November and 8am-6pm on Friday 25 November at Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, Vauxhall, SW8 5NQ.
The nearest tube and rail station is Vauxhall. Market Towers is the tall building on the south-western side of the Vauxhall one-way system. Use Exit 6 from Vauxhall tube station and it is the first building across Nine Elms Lane.
For more information visit: www.lambeth.gov.uk/vneb
If you would like to be added to, or unsubscribe from, the VNEB email update list please email us at this address: vneb@lambeth.gov.uk
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Ferry across the Thames
We went through the foyer of the Hilton Hotel opposite Canary Wharf to the jetty for the Thames Clipper ferry. The view of Canary Wharf from the ferry (which easily had room for all our bikes) is fantastic, as is the short crossing itself.
Our route home was along the bizarre Cycling Superhighway 3, followed by the usual getting lost through the City of London en-route to Cycling Superhighway 7 and back to base.
Once again all the riders really enjoyed the ride, amazed and delighted to discover the wonders within easy pedal power from Kennington.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Boris and TfL: Lack of will or institutional malaise?
The deaths of two cyclists at the Bow roundabout cycle superhighway within a month has forced questions about how far TfL will go to facilitate the safe movement of cyclists.
Not very far was the answer when they repainted the existing but unsigned Elephant and Castle bypass to make it a cycling superhighway.
Recently I commented on the needless mingling of HGVs and cyclists at the approach to the E&C cycling bypass. It shouldn't have been beyond the capacity of TfL to make a short section of bus and cycle lane 24/7 rather than 7am - 10am weekdays; instead general traffic can legally gatecrash the lane for 92% of the week. TfL chose to keep the emphasis on general traffic and not make the change.
Below is another example of general traffic having priority over safe routes at E&C:
On Saturday's Tour du Danger we wanted to experience the Elephant & Castle northern roundabout, rather than the cycle superhighway. We turned off the roundabout into London Road, which has a useful and popular bus and cycle lane that runs towards Blackfriars Road.
The dismal truth is that you can't use the cycle superhighway (Princess Street at this point) to turn into the bus and cycle lane on London Road because, as the photo above shows, this desirable left turn is not allowed from the superficialhighway!
What's the reason for having cyclists brave the roundabout rather than use the cycling bypass to enter London Road? According to TfL (my bold):
The reason is that the cycle phase and (pedestrian) crossing phase operate at the same time here, and left turning cyclists would be in conflict with peds crossing on green man. We looked at changing this, as the northbound left turn is a popular one. But unfortunately the southbound lanes on London Rd are still open to general traffic, and get very congested at peak times, meaning that running a ped phase and cycle phase sequentially rather than concurrently would mean traffic backs up and blocks the bus stops, affecting journey times unacceptably for bus passengers and motorists.
In fairness to TfL's cycling superhighway team they wistfully hope for better years down the line:
I would hope that when the plans for E&C north roundabout come to fruition in years to come, that this can be changed.
The powers at the top of TfL can't be allowed to prevaricate like this. They need to build proper superhighways NOW, not years down the line, and accept that providing safe space for those who wish to cycle means reducing the huge amount of space and preference currently given to the CO2 emitting, polluting, noisy, and space-wasting motorist.
Please reserve Saturday 17th March in your diary now for the 2nd Tour du Danger when over 1000 cyclists, adults and children, will cycle to the Olympics to press TfL for proper not superficial space for cycling across London.
Not very far was the answer when they repainted the existing but unsigned Elephant and Castle bypass to make it a cycling superhighway.
Recently I commented on the needless mingling of HGVs and cyclists at the approach to the E&C cycling bypass. It shouldn't have been beyond the capacity of TfL to make a short section of bus and cycle lane 24/7 rather than 7am - 10am weekdays; instead general traffic can legally gatecrash the lane for 92% of the week. TfL chose to keep the emphasis on general traffic and not make the change.
Below is another example of general traffic having priority over safe routes at E&C:
The dismal truth is that you can't use the cycle superhighway (Princess Street at this point) to turn into the bus and cycle lane on London Road because, as the photo above shows, this desirable left turn is not allowed from the superficialhighway!
What's the reason for having cyclists brave the roundabout rather than use the cycling bypass to enter London Road? According to TfL (my bold):
The reason is that the cycle phase and (pedestrian) crossing phase operate at the same time here, and left turning cyclists would be in conflict with peds crossing on green man. We looked at changing this, as the northbound left turn is a popular one. But unfortunately the southbound lanes on London Rd are still open to general traffic, and get very congested at peak times, meaning that running a ped phase and cycle phase sequentially rather than concurrently would mean traffic backs up and blocks the bus stops, affecting journey times unacceptably for bus passengers and motorists.
In fairness to TfL's cycling superhighway team they wistfully hope for better years down the line:
I would hope that when the plans for E&C north roundabout come to fruition in years to come, that this can be changed.
The powers at the top of TfL can't be allowed to prevaricate like this. They need to build proper superhighways NOW, not years down the line, and accept that providing safe space for those who wish to cycle means reducing the huge amount of space and preference currently given to the CO2 emitting, polluting, noisy, and space-wasting motorist.
Please reserve Saturday 17th March in your diary now for the 2nd Tour du Danger when over 1000 cyclists, adults and children, will cycle to the Olympics to press TfL for proper not superficial space for cycling across London.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Hundreds turned out for the Tour du Danger
Saturday's 'Tour du Danger' had an amazing turnout of people who want to be able to ride their bikes without fear and, more importantly, want a London where those who currently daren't ride a bike will be able to do, feeling and being safe - something the Cycling Superhighways are signally failing to deliver currently.
It was a peaceful ride and pedestrians took photos, clapped, smiled and voiced their support. I loved the smartly dressed female tourist standing in the middle of the Strand repeatedly saying 'Fantastic, Fantastic, this too is just starting in Valencia'. We'd clearly made her day.
The throng of cyclists behind me meant I was relaxed enough to be able to cycle one-handed and take a photo, albeit not a good one, over my shoulder as we left Hyde Park Corner and entered Park Lane - something I wouldn't conceive of doing in its normal race track mode.
Bravo to all those who took part - we hope it will encourage the politicians and Transport for London to step up their efforts to create a London where children will enjoy cycling to school and visit friends, and where their mothers will feel confident in letting them.
It was a peaceful ride and pedestrians took photos, clapped, smiled and voiced their support. I loved the smartly dressed female tourist standing in the middle of the Strand repeatedly saying 'Fantastic, Fantastic, this too is just starting in Valencia'. We'd clearly made her day.
The throng of cyclists behind me meant I was relaxed enough to be able to cycle one-handed and take a photo, albeit not a good one, over my shoulder as we left Hyde Park Corner and entered Park Lane - something I wouldn't conceive of doing in its normal race track mode.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Bring your kids on Saturday and tell Boris to have a reality check
I'm leading a ride for Cyclists in the City and I bike London bloggers on Saturday at 10.30am, from St Mark's Church on Clapham Road opposite the Oval tube station, around the ten locations with the highest number of collisions involving cyclists - the Elephant and Castle northern roundabout being top of the list. I urge you to come along, bring your kids and your grannies - As Boris said yesterday in Mayor's Question Time, "If you keep your wits about you, Elephant & Castle is perfectly negotiable."
He also said, ""I want people to feel confident. The cycle superhighways are about building confidence."
As an experienced motorist, cyclist, cycling instructor and trainer of cycling instructors I'd like to say that the E&C and the majority of the Cycling Superhighways are bloody awful for cycling - which is why you hardly see any secondary school children, especially girls, cycling there.
Most of the motorists I know dislike many of TfL's roads and junctions, and they've undergone loads of training and a test! So what are the odds of your average soft, squidgy person who can't drive merrily pootling around these roads on bikes? Bugger all, and around here a huge number of households don't have a car. The Guardian recently reported that, nationally, the percentage of 17- to 20-year-olds with driving licences fell from 48% in the early 1990s to 35% last year. I bet it's nearer 20% locally so it's pretty damn optimistic for Boris to think that these people are going to be confidently cycling around the gyratories.
Does Boris really believe it's just lack of confidence that has the Head of Notre Dame secondary girls' school on St George's Road refusing to let her girls cycle to school? Or do you think it's because this is the road on which the school has its entrance?
Does Boris think the Head of Lilian Baylis Technology School on Kennington Lane, the edge of the congestion zone (below mid-morning) as it leads into the Vauxhall Gyratory, is completely deluded when he tells me that he suspects the challenge of these roads acts as a major barrier to his pupils cycling and their parents permitting it?
The off-road cycle option for the Vauxhall Gyratory is fragmented, obscure and takes forever to use. The semi-decent bit, if you can get to it, is used each day as a parking bay for the Tesco metro there (like the driver below today) and I bet no-one has ever been fined for it.
In the Netherlands they work really hard to make the route for cyclists friendly, obvious, direct and safe, subjectively and statistically, because they want their children to cycle and they recognise their vulnerability.
Here Boris just tells the boys and girls to grow some cojones and jump in front of the HGVs.
What a buffoon.
Please join the ride to protest against his arrogance and TfL's apathy. And see if you can drag along one of our Councillors, none of whom have replied to my invitation. Finally, check out and share this short BBC newspiece
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