Cycle campaigning

If you'd like to volunteer for the LCC, we're looking for campaign volunteers at the moment:

http://lcc.org.uk/articles/campaigns-volunteers-needed

Thank, send Gerhard an email.

Rad.

Why not change the law to allow cyclists to jump red lights? (etc)

quite agree: gives cyclists a chance to get ahead of traffic

There are very little benefit to getting ahead of traffic, frankly it's riskier when the other are still green.

**Upper Ground Closure
**
Today I met with Southwark Council and TfL again for a last-minute discussion about where they are with providing a suitable, safe diversion route for cyclists during the Upper Ground closure which definitely commences tomorrow, Friday 23 November for 12 months.

Looking at development proposals and taking into consideration that there will be up to 100 HGV vehicle manoeuvres per day in Upper Ground - we had already (reluctantly) agreed that Upper Ground (between Rennie Street and Hatfields) should be closed to all traffic.

However, the obvious irony of investing in a safety audit, site marshals, signage and any other safety measures on Upper Ground, but then encouraging cyclists to use the incredibly busy Stamford Street and the horrendous right turn off Blackfriars Bridge remains - the Council and TfL acknowledge this but neither have been able to devise a better diversion, yet.**

So what about now? What happens tomorrow? **After much discussion with Southwark Cyclists, Danny Williams, Sustrans and other resident groups, the best they can do for now is signs and marshals.

HOWEVER, I was promised today that both parties would try their best to get a suitably wide, protected cycle contraflow created on Blackfriars Bridge south side. In addition to this, I agreed that Roupell St should be made two-way for cycling, which opens up clear parallel East-West to Waterloo. Not the shortest route but a safer one.

TfL have done traffic counts this month so are aware of the high volume of cyclists using this route presently and that this will only increase when the Upper Ground alternative is not there. They are currently working on a long-term solution for the bridge as part of the ongoing junctions project, which would hopefully involve removing that central reservation (which few use) and making the bridge more like Southwark Bridge with it's protected cycle lane. They hope to have something to show us in a month.

So I am sorry that as of this evening I don't have a more comprehensive/satisfactory solution to share - believe me, I have been pleading with all concerned and I genuinely believe the Council/TfL are now trying to give us what we need.

Meanwhile please be careful, be mindful of less experienced cyclists, don't ignore the signs, and we'll come back to you all as soon as we have news on a better solution.

Alex

Coordinator, Southwark Cyclists
www.southwarkcyclists.org.uk

^ The road safety audit is linked to from here http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/road-safety-audit-at-blackfriars.html?m=1

There was a report, I think from London Councils, that said that shopkeepers overestimated the number of drivers coming to their shops by 400%. And pointed out that free parking isn't free. Does anyone have any idea where I can find it?

Here (it's only just come out):

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/transport/parkinginlondon/parkingurban.htm

There's also the old Sustrans info sheet:

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/liveable%20neighbourhoods/Shoppers%20info%20sheet%20-%20LN02.pdf

There are other reports, too--this is becoming quite a widely-known approach to car parking in town centres.

Just what I was looking for, thanks!

Also, at a slight tangent, is there a way that the local LCC chapters can call the central LCC body to get help with actively redesigning areas, rather than just putting their input into things?

--edit--

How easy would it be to replicate those studies in a small london 'village' centre do you think?

Just what I was looking for, thanks!

You're most welcome.

Also, at a slight tangent, is there a way that the local LCC chapters can call the central LCC body to get help with actively redesigning areas, rather than just putting their input into things?

Could you explain in a little more detail what you mean? Do you mean whether the LCC could put forward a design itself? Or to get a staff member down, or an experienced volunteer? Both are certainly possible, it just depends on who has time and the ability.

How easy would it be to replicate those studies in a small london 'village' centre do you think?

Do you mean how easy it would be to carry out shoppers' surveys yourself in a small London village centre? That's not too hard, you just need a few volunteers and ideally the co-operation of the local business association. It could end up looking like this:

http://www.broadwaymarket.co.uk/admin/uploads/dca5dd6ed5f5fd703ba69380b50af2af.pdf

There are very little benefit to getting ahead of traffic, frankly it's riskier when the other are still green.

are but European-traveller-Ed, there's always a gap before the other sides turn green, preferably for cyclists that gap would be (as it is on most, but not all London lights) quite long, allowing a cyclist to leave behind any chasing/overtaking cars in their wake, :-)

Has the CS5 consultation been posted somewhere? Apologies if so. Otherwise:

Dear Stakeholder

TfL is proposing to introduce a new cycle route between New Cross Gate and Victoria. Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 5 (CS5) would run via Peckham, Camberwell, Kennington and Vauxhall.

View the proposals and have your say:
Please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/cs5 to see details of the proposed route and have your say. Alternatively, please contact us if you would like us to send you designs for specific sections of route.

Public Exhibitions:
We invite you to one of our three public exhibitions so you can view the proposals and speak to members of the project team:
· Saturday 8 December 11:00-15:00, Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR (view map)
· Tuesday 11 December 15:00-19:00, Oval House Theatre café, 52-54 Kennington Oval, SE11 5SW (view map)
· Wednesday 12 December 15:00-19:00, Parnell House, 25 Wilton Road, SW1V 1LW (view map)

About the proposed new route:
Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 5 would bring substantial changes to the road layout to improve safety for cyclists, including:
· More space for cyclists and buses, through reallocation of road space
· New mandatory cycle lanes
· Improvements for cyclists at 52 junctions, including new Advanced Stop Lines, cycle feeder lanes, and speed reduction measures
· An innovative cycle ‘early-start’ facility at Vauxhall Bridge Road/Millbank to help cyclists get ahead of traffic
· Banning some turns for cars and lorries to reduce conflict with cyclists
· Extension to the existing 20mph speed limit in New Cross

The new route would also include a comprehensive package of supporting measures, including:
· Over 3,000 new cycle parking spaces along the route
· Cycle safety checks
· Free cycle training
· Industry-recognised safety training for drivers of large goods vehicles

Construction work:
We plan to start work in late spring 2013. We’ll write to local residents and businesses before undertaking work. The route is planned to open later in 2013.

What does it mean by mandatory cycle lanes?

What does it mean by mandatory cycle lanes?

Ones that you're not allowed to drive or park in (i.e. it's mandatory for drivers to observe them, not cyclists) with a solid white line instead of broken.

I saw some of the design for the CS5.

I fear for the live of the cyclists on that.

I saw some of the design for the CS5.

I fear for the live of the cyclists on that.

Presumably it will be an improvement on what there is today along that route? Riding through New Cross, Peckham, Camberwell Green, Oval, and Vauxhaul (basically the entire route of CS5) can be pretty hairy right now. I can't see this will make it worse.

Ones that you're not allowed to drive or park in (i.e. it's mandatory for drivers to observe them, not cyclists) with a solid white line instead of broken.

What if you're riding out of the mandatory cycle lane.would the same law apply and mean that even on a bike you shouldn't enter a mandatory lane:

I think it would be worth starting a new thread for the CS5.

It's an important artery for so many of us, even if we won't deliberately use it and can't bear the existing CSHs!

Southwark Cyclists are discussing it at their next meeting with Southwark Council, at which TfL will also be present. It's patently obvious that a lick of blue paint isn't right for Camberwell Green for example, and that has been conveyed to them already.

Really important to have as much individual feedback as possible, not just groups like mine.

Camberwell Green is fucking awful especially the northbound section where TfL think that tiny bicycle lane is enough for both vehicles to be on.

I think it would be worth starting a new thread for the CS5.

There's a Superhighways thread, isn't that enough?

https://www.lfgss.com/thread23206.html

^^ Yay that you are now an official LCC junctions reviewer Ed! Good stuff.

I just signed this petition, organised by Sustrans: "Mayor of London, Boris Johnson: Connect London - build the world's biggest cycle network by 2020" on Change.org.

Worth trying for this, make Boris true to his word, and the petition only takes a few seconds to sign or less if you're already a registered.

Will you sign it too? Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/mayor-of-london-boris-johnson-connect-london-build-the-world-s-biggest-cycle-network-by-2020

Thanks!

Alex
(Errr, reluctantly resigning) Coordinator, Southwark Cyclists
www.southwarkcyclists.org.uk

thanks MM, theres a new guy in charge in cowcross st.
really cool, and German, knows the score.

In charge of what Jason?