Cycling

Cycling is still the cinderella of transport in London. In many ways, cycling is the ideal mode of transport. It is quite quick - far faster than walking and often as fast as bus or car. It causes hardly any congestion, it causes no pollution and creates no greenhouse gases.

Cycling in Hammermsith

There are some justified concerns about safety of cycling, where this occurs on roads with heavy motor traffic. But it is worth noting that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks. At a time when obesity and diabetes are reaching epidemic proportions, especially among children, we all need to 'get on our bikes'.

Although some good work is being done, far too little is being to improve cycling facilities in London. A comprehensive network of dedicated cycling lanes is essential if the volume of cycling is going to be raised from the measly 2% we have at present to the 10% or 20% achieved in other european cities.

The sums of money needed for cycling schemes are miniscule compared with those needed for major public transport projects. A decent cycle network for the whole of London would cost only about £70 million. Compare that to the cost of a single tram scheme, the West London tram, at about £460 million. Or Crossrail, at about £10 billion. Given these figures, it is nothing short of scandalous that the London boroughs and Ken Livingstone are doing so little to encourage cycling.

For more about cycling in London, visit the London Cycling Campaign web site. There are contacts there for branches in all the West London boroughs.

Links

London Cycling Campaign
Back to transport introduction

Jan 05