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Give London 'World's biggest cycle network' Sustrans tells Mayor Johnson

1,000-kilometre Connect London network linking all capital's boroughs by 2020 would cost £10 million a year...

Sustrans is calling on Mayor of London Boris Johnson to give the city what it describes as “the world’s biggest cycle network” by 2020 as it launches a new campaign, Connect London.

Earlier this month, Mr Johnson revealed that close to £1 billion had been allocated to cycling over the next decade under the new business plan drawn up for Transport for London (TfL).

Sustrans says that its Connect London initiative, which envisages the development of a network of 1,000km of safe, quiet routes that would connect every borough in the city, would cost a fraction of that at £10 million a year.

The sustainable transport charity believes that putting such a network in place would help create significant growth in the number of cyclists by providing people with the confidence to switch to two wheels.

Maps at the end of this article show the network at Greater London level as well as a closer look at routes that would be developed in the London Borough of Lambeth.

The artist's impression in the main picture above shows how Bow Flyover could look if Sustrans' plans were adopted. Here's how it looks at the moment.

The call to action comes ahead of Mr Johnson publishing his '2020 Vision' for cycling in London.

Sustrans London Director German Dector-Vega commented: “The world’s biggest cycling network will put London on the map as a global leader in cycling and allow millions more journeys to be made by bike each day.

“Cycling in London is booming but evidence shows that to help more people to feel safe on two wheels, we need to provide more continuous, safe routes.

“The improved network will tackle dangerous junctions and impassable rivers and railways to make cycling accessible for everyone in London. Connecting every borough in London it will see communities flourish and local high streets boom.

“The economic, environmental and health benefits of cycling are undeniable. By investing the world’s largest cycling network, London would not only be the greatest cycling city but also a more healthy, productive and cleaner city too.”

More information on the Connect London initiative can be found here, where you can also sign up to pledge support to the campaign.

Connect London Map

Connect London Lambeth Map


 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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4 comments

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adriank999 | 11 years ago
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Artist hasn't given the cyclists much room, needs a wider path

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a_to_the_j | 11 years ago
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...and what of those that dont live in london and have no bike lanes. spread it out amongst the country!!!

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Campag_10 | 11 years ago
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@bobinski – no real planning issues as all local authorities have permitted development rights for highways.

Some changes (reducing permeability, contra-flows, etc.) require a Traffic Regulation Order, which is a legal process. The biggest costs are running the consultation, (which goes to emergency services, bus companies, and refuse collection agencies, etc.) and making the engineering changes on the roads.

The reason it hasn't happened is that councillors are scared of the backlash from car owners about delays, congestion, etc. that are likely to be stirred up by the likes of the Daily Mail.

Times are changing because the AA is in favour of better provision for cyclists, included dedicated cycle lanes.

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bobinski | 11 years ago
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Looks quite good, lots of joined up thinking.

As a London cyclist i am often frustrated that more roads don't have simple cycle lanes. So many roads can accommodate a cycle lane , what are the planning or other impediments, aside from local or national political will, preventing them?

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