Transport minister Norman Baker experiences Blackfriars Bridge first-hand and backs 20mph limit (+ video)

Minister for Transport Norman Baker has experienced first-hand cycling over London’s Blackfriars Bridge, which has become something of a cause célèbre for cycle campaigners in the capital protesting against plans by Transport for London (TfL) and the city’s mayor, Boris Johnson, who plan to increase the speed limit there from 20mph to 30mph once ongoing roadworks have been completed.

Mr Baker was filmed riding across the bridge during last week’s All Parliamentary Cycling Group ride by Carlton Reid of BikeBiz and Quickrelease.tv, who together with Jim Davis, chair of the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain, outlined to the minister the reasons why the cycling community feels so strongly about the issue.

The minister explained that speed limits are set by local highway authorities – in London’s case, TfL – but agreed that the 20mph limit would reduce the risk to cyclists on the birdge, and to raise the issue with the body.

The video, which you can watch below, also includes comments from Ashok Sinha, chief executive of the London Cycling Campaign, which this week launched an ‘photo petition’ to help keep pressure on the mayor and TfL to reconsider their decision.