Fewer bike parking spaces in London as guard railings disappear

Transport for London is removing around a third of the guard railings on red routes in an effort to reduce street clutter and improve the urban realm, according to the London Cycling Campaign.

TfL is removing the rails because they can block escape routes for cyclists threatened by motor vehicles, and are also believed to encourage motor vehicles to drive fast.

But they’re also pretty useful for locking bikes onto. So LCC has written to TfL asking that any guard railings which are removed, and which serve as bike parking, should be replaced by bike stands.

TfL says it's surveying locations where guard railing is removed to assess the need for cycle parking.

LCC campaigns manager Tom Bogdanowicz said, "In Islington at least, TfL is not delivering enough stands to replace the railings. For example, the railings in front of the Screen On The Green cinema have been removed, losing a dozen parking spaces, with nothing to replace them as yet."

If you find your favourite guard railing parking spot gone, you can write to the mayor.