For the joy of cycling

[malumbu]

Hopefully an upbeat thread - there's a lot of negativity about cyclists but do share your positive views and stories.

I was asked about the stats on cycleways - I wouldn't normally post anything from the Mail but the first 3/4 of this article are very positive: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13163631/Londons-cycle-lanes-QUADRUPLED-Sadiq-Khan.html

And nice infographics.  Total length of cycleways are 360 km a small fraction of the London road network, Johnson went for the grandiose cycle superhighways with some road space lost to segregated cycle lanes (not a lot in total length but these are the schemes often referred to by those less happy)

From my experience Khan's new routes have tended to link up quiet roads, that were often already closed to through traffic, with the occasional shared off road section such as around Millwall FC.

There's a family cycleride along the newly completed  Cycleway 4 next Sunday https://lcc.org.uk/events/lll-cycleway4/   huge cycles, penny farthings and reverse pedaling bikes are not compulsory!

 

[malumbu]

Just discovered this lot in West Dulwich: https://www.solvetheschoolrun.org/

All for a clean school run, obviously including cycling.  That's joy. Have any knowledge of this organisation? 

[Spartacus]

Now this is cycling 

BBC News - Tweed Run London bike ride evokes spirit of yesteryear
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68900476

 

[malumbu]

Yes I fancied this but don't have the right bike or tweeds.  Maybe next year.

[Spartacus]

Obviously, now discovered the real use of lime bikes, if you scroll through the pictures you will see they make effective bus blockers. 

Personally I think if protesters had real courage in their convictions they should have used their own bikes and not someone else's 😉 

BBC News - Peckham: Protesters block coach over asylum seeker transfer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68943919

 

 

[malumbu]

Thread about what's good.  Please don't hijack.  By all means start a separate thread 

[alice]

Once they start talking about ‘electric mini buses’  and ‘cargo bikes’  you can see which demographic this is aimed at. not positive at all

[malumbu]

Back to the good things about cycling - social rides organised by Southwark Cyclists, wonderful, always posted on the events page

 

 

[malumbu]

Ride London this Sunday, a celebration of cycling    https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/our-rides/ridelondon-freecycle  Feeder ride organised by Southwark Cyclists - see events page

[Rockets]

Probably a great day for Rachel Aldred and Anna Goodman to do one of their cycle counts.....;-)

[fishboy]

My partner has never been a confident road user (doesn't drive) but since the cycle superhighways and various other cycle routes increased a few years ago she has been commuting every weekday from ED to St Pancras. She's found some routes that are 75% off road 25% quiet roads so doesn't have the stress of dealing with traffic. It has given her freedom from public transport, increased her fitness, her general health, her mental wellbeing - she absolutely loves her rides every day and does it in all weathers. So more cycle routes please!

[malumbu]

Great to hear, hopefully there will be a switch in policy at the top following Sunak's pro-car position. There is free cycle training for all in Southwark so your partner, and hopefully you, will be interested. 

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/sustainable-travel/training/free-cycling-lessons

Herne Hill Velodrome to lessons for children https://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/kids

And kids can get BMX training at Brockwell Park.

https://www.brixtonbmx.co.uk/coaching-and-racing/

 

 

[malumbu]

And in deed the new government is committing to active travel including social prescribing, hooray!

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/20/labour-investment-cycling-walking-unprecedented-louise-haigh

[Rockets]

Great news that the government is prioritising money for active travel.

Not so great news that they are seemingly only interested in placating the cycle lobby. How depressing that she talks about investing in cycling and walking yet only focuses on cycling. What she should be saying is the government will review spending to date and see what gives the best ROI in terms of changing travel habits and then investing money accordingly.

I did laugh out loud when I read this bit:

She said: “I’ve not cycled in London. I don’t know why, because it’s obviously super flat. I definitely do want to get into it more, not least because I don’t have time to get to the gym. So it’s a really good alternative … I’m afraid now I have my ministerial car, I don’t know whether Dennis [her driver] would let me, he might have to drive alongside me or something ridiculous."

 

This could be a section from an episode of The Thick of It! Malcolm Tucker would have some choice words about her words!

 

 

[malumbu]

Shame to pour cold water on this anouncement.  Does it matter that she doesn't cycle in London beyond it makes her look a bit silly?  Fortunately my good friends in DfT, whether they cycle or not, are no the ball, and often on their bike.  Their personal views do not affect the job in hand - but it will be a relief that there was a change in government.

 

Edited August 21, 2024 by malumbu

[Rockets]

Quite a lot of detail on her thoughts on improving cycling, lacking in detail on walking...another unbalanced investment policy heading our way per chance, over-indexing on cycling over everything....?

And given her comments on her new ministerial car and not cycling in London, despite it being flat, I think Malcolm Tucker would have screamed to get her "on her *@*@*@*@* bike and make sure she cycles far, far away from any future interview!"

[Penguin68]

Could someone tell me (ideally those living locally to ED) what definition of 'super flat' she is working to? Or indeed someone in Highgate or Hampstead? Or maybe it is her definition of 'London' that needs an explanation. So glad someone so expert in topology or geography is a transport minister. Fills me chock full of confidence we will have informed governance. 

[snowy]

She's from Sheffield, so slightly hillier than Swaines Lane

[first mate]

Still odd to describe London as super flat, or whatever she said. I'm thinking about areas like Hampstead, Highgate, our own area of Dulwich with Forest Hill one end and Dog Kennel Hill the other.