Boris's bike advisor calls for new routes

Andrew Gilligan, the Mayor of London’s cycling commissioner, is drawing up a list of new superhighways he wants to see constructed after Boris Johnson’s term comes to a close. The “legacy plan” includes a new segregated route along Westminster Bridge Road.

San Francisco mayor vetoes stop law

The advance of the ‘Idaho Stop’ has come to a, well, stop in San Francisco. Mayor Ed Lee has vetoed proposals to introduce the practice, where cyclists are allowed to roll through ‘Stop’ signs – treating them as ‘Give Way’/‘Yield’ – and also to turn right on a red light. The SF Bicycle Coalition says the veto is “a major step away from [his] promise to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries”.

Japan to get its own National Cycle Network

Japan is the latest country to establish a network of bike touring routes.

Roads selected for the Japanese national cycle network will have low traffic numbers, bike rental facilities, and a good safety record. The routes will also be designed to take in scenic areas, historic sites and other tourist attractions. Once the routes have been chosen, Japan’s tourism ministry will pay for signage and facilities for riders.

The Japan Times reports that one of Japan’s first touring routes, crossing the Seto inland sea, has seen visitors double in five years thanks to the views and the facilities en route. Another 30 routes have been earmarked for potential inclusion in the network.

Work will start on the network in 2016.

Cycle traffic lights for Liverpool

Liverpool is to become one of the first cities in Britain to get bike-friendly traffic lights which give cyclists a head start. Unusually, thermal imagery detectors will sense the presence of cyclists, and only trigger the advance lights when cyclists are present.

Our newest route guide: the Morecambe Bay Cycle Way

The newly opened Bay Cycle Way, an 80-mile tour around Morecambe Bay, opened this weekend – and we’re pleased to celebrate with the latest addition to our detailed UK route guides.

The brand new route follows quiet roads and cycle tracks along the coast, ducking and diving into market towns and quiet villages. Route 700 of the National Cycle Network, it opened on 13th June with a four-day celebration ride.

With few steep hills and much to see along the way, Sustrans says it is “a brilliant challenge for people new to long distance rides” – a ‘slow travel’ route rather than a lung-buster. According to local manager Nikki Wingfield:

“Morecambe Bay has its very own distinctive character, with incredible views, world class historic sites and artefacts, traditional food and rare wildlife. We have planned lots of opportunities to stop – there’s a loo, a brew and a view every 10 miles!”

Our new Bay Cycle Way route guide includes a full downloadable map, accommodation and bike shop listings, plus a guide to what you’ll see along the way. Head over to the Routes pages to get started, browse the gallery, and download the routebook.