TfL considering modifying cycle lane on Blackfriars Bridge

Just a thought, could one use personal safety as a reason to start cycling on the pavement on the bridge if the speed limit goes up to 30mph and the cycle lane gone?

No, of course you shouldn't ride along the footway. You probably do a lot of riding around London in other 30mph zones. 20mph is worth stressing as it's simply better, as the City of London is introducing a City-wide 20mph limit, and as it's a quick win that's easily achievable here. If it isn't done, that shouldn't send anyone into a panic about safety here--greater safety is only one of many different objectives that need to be achieved here. Among others, there are less noise and pollution, less motor traffic capacity, a better street design into a genuinely attractive public place, etc. Carry on riding across the bridge in the carriageway and be counted as the sort of traffic the bridge needs to attract more and more.

No, of course you shouldn't ride along the footway. You probably do a lot of riding around London in other 30mph zones. 20mph is worth stressing as it's simply better, as the City of London is introducing a City-wide 20mph limit, and as it's a quick win that's easily achievable here. If it isn't done, that shouldn't send anyone into a panic about safety here--greater safety is only one of many different objectives that need to be achieved here. Among others, there are less noise and pollution, less motor traffic capacity, a better street design into a genuinely attractive public place, etc. Carry on riding across the bridge in the carriageway and be counted as the sort of traffic the bridge needs to attract more and more.

Excellently put Oliver.

Really enjoyed it. Got a little bit hairy in a couple of places where motorists got out their cars and were beligerant. Also the Audi on the Old St rndbt was well out of line. But I think quietly shaking things up like this is good. I'll try to be at the Monday one too.

I'll try to be at the Monday one too.

What time is the monday one?

I was only joking guys!!

Is the monday one still on?

I can/will be there if it is, but thought that somewhere suggested that it had been canceled.

Keeping pressure on is a good thing

it's still on, have to be, need to get the voices out.

fixed that for you jo

BBC London report (jumps to time)

Nice impartial journalism there. Blinkered twat

Thanks everyone for coming, and for sharing these excellent pics. Dinosaur is my utmost favourite of the whole night!

What a huge turn out too. Some of the press were reporting it as 1 0r 2 hundred cyclists. I'd say the Blackfriars ride was creeping close to a thousand (trust me, I had to stand on the side of the road and watch you all go past with the BBC man) and by the time it joined with Critical Mass it was epic, I've never seen such a big CM.

Great atmosphere, great turn out, lovely people, point well made. This, though, is I am sure only just the begining.

With regards to the Monday ride, this was originally my idea. LCC HQ wanted to focus on just doing the one big ride on the Friday night (media friendly and all that) However, if everyone wants to do it all again at 8.15AM on Monday morning, there's absolutely nothing to stop them. It likely wont be as big as Friday though. Maybe the trick is to all go single file or something, I don't know. Somthing to make it look different?

Nice to know that Ben Plowden, TfL's Director of Integrated Programme Delivery (chap who spoke on radio & TV) was director of Living Streets before he moved to TfL, innit?

Did anyone get photos of the fist-to-mouth incident slightly before the Old Street Roundabout? Looked very nasty, I hope it gets followed up.

Also, did anyone see me getting whumped by a bus passenger?

Didn't see any fisticuffs.

All I saw was a cyclist – tall black guy with long hair – getting started on by a man in a jumper with hebrew type and a star of david on it. The latter seemed totally unreasonable and tried to wrest the bike off the cyclist. It was at the point just before Old St roundabout where there was a guy lying in the road saying "Come on! I'm a cyclist too. Just let the cars pass".

Next time I suggest wearing tweed. It definitely seemed to work as twat-armour on a big ride that holds up traffic.

best cm ever

the award for best looking bike goes to:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Thanks everyone for coming, and for sharing these excellent pics. Dinosaur is my utmost favourite of the whole night!

What a huge turn out too. Some of the press were reporting it as 1 0r 2 hundred cyclists. I'd say the Blackfriars ride was creeping close to a thousand (trust me, I had to stand on the side of the road and watch you all go past with the BBC man) and by the time it joined with Critical Mass it was epic, I've never seen such a big CM.

Great atmosphere, great turn out, lovely people, point well made. This, though, is I am sure only just the begining.

With regards to the Monday ride, this was originally my idea. LCC HQ wanted to focus on just doing the one big ride on the Friday night (media friendly and all that) However, if everyone wants to do it all again at 8.15AM on Monday morning, there's absolutely nothing to stop them. It likely wont be as big as Friday though. Maybe the trick is to all go single file or something, I don't know. Somthing to make it look different?

Mark please can you let us know if there are any updates to Monday's ride?
A lot of LCC members are keen to know too.
Cheers,
alex

+1

÷4

Firstly 'thank you so much' to everyone who took part (and many others who couldn't yet still helped spread the word). This was the biggest cycling protest I've ever witnessed and I hope we can build on it to build a transformative movement for change.

In my view a repeat protest should only ever be bigger, otherwise it risks being counter-productive - especially when so close in time. I'm therefore keen to focus on launching our 2012 Mayoral campaign on a really big way in the autumn. In the meantime we're seeking a response from TfL or the Mayor before making our next move. Of course the situation is always under review and we'll react to developments and our members' demands.

Incidentally LCC members... Time is running out to vote for our 2012 mayoral campaign, please do take the opportunity to have your say. If you have any difficulties pleas din't hesitate to call or email the office membership team who are ready to help.

Mustafa
Trustee and Chair of Campaigns, LCC

It was great to be there on friday, glad I made it. Hope I can join in on monday, will be there if it's around 9ish.

Oh and this is me with the hair!

I saw you there harold, too many bikes in the way (in a nice way!), couldn't say hello! How's the instant films? I found another couple of packs. Yours if you want.

Can't make it tomorrow morning but will defo go to the next one whenever that is.

Firstly 'thank you so much' to everyone who took part (and many others who couldn't yet still helped spread the word). This was the biggest cycling protest I've ever witnessed and I hope we can build on it to build a transformative movement for change.

In my view a repeat protest should only ever be bigger, otherwise it risks being counter-productive - especially when so close in time. I'm therefore keen to focus on launching our 2012 Mayoral campaign on a really big way in the autumn. In the meantime we're seeking a response from TfL or the Mayor before making our next move. Of course the situation is always under review and we'll react to developments and our members' demands.

Incidentally LCC members... Time is running out to vote for our 2012 mayoral campaign, please do take the opportunity to have your say. If you have any difficulties pleas din't hesitate to call or email the office membership team who are ready to help.

Mustafa
Trustee and Chair of Campaigns, LCC

So what's happening tomorrow? Why not follow up on the Blackfriars protest before moving on to Mayoral election campaign? One flash ride hasn't solved anything...

I personally feel a protest every Friday would work wonder, the more regular it is, the more obvious that the voices isn't going to go away.

I also personally feel we should've stayed on the bridge a lots longer.

I thought we were going to do more than 1 loop on Friday to be honest, but then it wouldn't have been a flashride, would it?

I personally feel a protest every Friday would work wonder, the more regular it is, the more obvious that the voices isn't going to go away.

I also personally feel we should've stayed on the bridge a lots longer.

I thought we were going to do more than 1 loop on Friday to be honest, but then it wouldn't have been a flashride, would it?

I agree we should have.

This is for tomorrow's ride: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142886839126953

Got to be honest.. this sounds pretty dangerous. No LCC support, 20-something people.

Just makes me feel uneasy somehow. If there were 3 or 4 times as many people maybe there would be a more effective presence / enough people to effectively bring the traffic to a standstill...

How many people are turning up tomorrow? Can't help to make up the number makes me feel sad... but next time. Me and my teddy bear on his bike too!