New Superhighway could be best yet

Transport for London has released its plans for the Oval–Belgravia bike route, Cycle Superhighway 5 – and it looks like they could be a step-change in conditions for London cyclists.

The new route would be segregated from motor traffic almost all the way, including the crossing of Vauxhall Bridge. At the same time, the notorious junction at Oval would be redesigned to provide segregated bike lanes and special bike-only traffic light phases.

The main route would be a two-way segregated track – in other words, northbound and southbound cyclists would use the same side of the road. Junctions would be redesigned along the route, and cars banned from making several turns. Even though TfL admits that “the completed scheme would mean longer journeys at busy times for most motorists and bus passengers in the Vauxhall area”, it believes it’s worth it for the “major improvements in safety and comfort for cyclists”.

If the plans are approved, construction will start in October this year. TfL is inviting comments on the designs at its dedicated consultation pages (CS5, Oval), especially on the choice of route north of Vauxhall Bridge, where three possibilities have been identified.

Cycle campaigners have generally welcomed the plans. Danny Williams, author of the Cyclists In The City blog, wrote:

“What TfL is – at last – proposing here is pretty magical. I have to say this is, in my view, best-in-class cycle infrastructure. This thing makes me grin like Christmas has come early.”

The plans will be on show at exhibitions locally throughout July.

Coast & Castles gets surface upgrade

A three-mile stretch of the Coast & Castles route has received a major surface upgrade. The roadside route between Warkworth and Alnmouth is now surfaced in smooth tarmac, replacing the former gravel that led many cyclists to use the adjacent A road instead. The improvements were carried out by Northumberland County Council.

Bristol’s bike strategy promises to “make cycling simple”

The city of Bristol, led by cycling mayor George Ferguson, has unveiled a new cycling strategy that aims to “simplify cycling” with new, attractive, safe bike routes.

Mayor Ferguson, one of the founding members of Sustrans in 1977, says that the number of cyclists in Bristol could double again by 2024 – from a base which is already one of the highest in the UK. The strategy promises to learn from successful bike cities overseas:

“Learning from cities across Europe where high levels of cycling have made for happy and healthy citizens, such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, our city will allowing citizen to move conveniently and with low impact… cycling will be an easy and normal option to get around.”

To achieve this, Bristol is promising to invest £16 per head in cycling each year by 2024 – a total of £7m per annum. Outside London, the average in England is just £2 per head at present: the All-Party Cycling Group called last year for this to increase to £20 over time.

But this in itself is no panacea. A similar amount was invested during Bristol’s Cycling City project, which was frequently criticised for not doing enough to help everyday Bristol cyclists.

The strategy sets out four overall aims: to make cycling simpler, safer, and more attractive, and to make Bristol a better place. This will be done by:

• Creating a comprehensive network accessible for everyone aged 8-80;
• Reducing vehicle speeds to create a safer environment;
• Creating cycle routes that are protected from traffic on roads with high traffic volumes and speeds, by reallocating road space, as achieved in other European cities; and
• Ensuring short journeys are more attractive by bike than by other modes, as more space is created for people to cycle.

The strategy borrows from the Bristol Cycling Campaign’s ‘Manifesto’ which mapped out 200 miles of proposed cycle routes, with 14 fast ‘freeways’ and 16 ‘quietways’. Bristol will also have its own cycling design guide, influenced by the acclaimed Making Space for Cycling design guide drawn up by the Cambridge Cycling Campaign.

Individual projects include a protected cycle lane along Clarence Road, a ‘cycle street’ on Kingsweston Lane, a 20mph limit across the city, an extension of the Whitchurch Railway Path, and the proposed new River Avon Path.

Ian Barrett, Sustrans’ local director, welcomed the strategy:

“Bristol has long been a leader and innovator in cycling – Sustrans’ National Cycle Network started here with our creation of the Bristol & Bath Railway Path in the 1980s. We warmly welcome Bristol’s commitment to continued investment in cycling and look forward to working with the Council to create a network of routes that makes cycling simple for everyone.”

The draft strategy is now out for consultation. You can read the document, and fill in an online survey, at citizenspace.com.

Government pledges cycling plan

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised a “cycling revolution” – but outside a few chosen cities and National Parks, not much has yet changed on the ground.

Now, the Government is finally to say how it will build a cycling Britain, with the announcement of a ‘Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan’.

Speaking as the Tour de France got underway in Yorkshire, cycling minister Robert Goodwill told a London audience:

“To get more people back on their bikes, we need to make people feel that they will be safe when they ride. That means providing high quality cycling infrastructure. Integrated networks where people on bikes feel they are not at risk of being run over.

“We need cycling to become an everyday activity once again. We need it to be seen as a normal mode of transport for work or pleasure. Put simply, we need to move beyond lycra.”

The plan will set out how “the Prime Minister’s ambition to achieve a cycling revolution” will be achieved over the next 10 years. And in a bilingual speech, part-French, part-English, Goodwill promised “nous voulons apprendre de vos expériences” – we want to learn from your experiences. He noted that Nantes and Bordeaux are already considered to be in the world’s top ten cycling cities.

The plan is expected to be launched in the autumn with a major ‘cycling summit’ to consider the way forward. Few details have yet emerged, but the Department for Transport has spoken of “a delivery plan to deliver a step change in cycling levels while protecting pedestrians and improving the public realm”.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has lent his voice to the initiative. The Times reports that he sees the Tour de France as a springboard for improved cycling provision in the UK:

“We must use it to make sure people of all ages are inspired to see that there’s never been a better time to get on their bike. If we want a lasting legacy from this weekend’s event, then we need to work harder to get more people cycling.”

Meanwhile, the drip-feeding continues with a number of isolated local schemes to improve cycling provision. £15m has been announced for cycle parking and other bike-friendly facilities at railway stations, to be allocated by train companies and cycling representatives together. A set of Growth Deals for regions across England, unveiled today, includes several modest cycling schemes, such as a ‘Science Vale Cycle Network’ in southern Oxfordshire and infrastructure improvements in East Anglian towns.

Chocolate Path reopens

The popular waterside Chocolate Path, along the tidal River Avon, has reopened after “significant ground movements” forced its closure. Bristol City Council say “no further work is required in the short term”.