London Cycling
The last time I was in London was about a year and a half ago. Cycling made up a huge part of that trip, and I remember being astounded by the number of cyclists I saw. Okay, some of them managed to perpetuate the stereotype of London cycling being something of a battle zone where you had to break the rules to stay safe, but you got a genuine feeling that this was on its way to becoming a true cycling city.
Now I’m not so sure. Which is odd because this trip involved no cycling, but without looking for them I saw a lot more cyclists and bikes. True, I didn’t see the new ‘Cycle Superblueways’ but the cycling provision remained somewhat lacking, and the overall sense was still of cyclists running reds and taking risks (usually up the inside of a bus).
We always assume, and postulate, that more bikes means more cycling visibility and more chance of a cycling culture. I think London proves that, in the UK at least, there’s a more fundamental change required to the traffic psyche…
I walked away with exactly the same impression last year – 90% of the cyclists I saw (and there where 100s in my short 1 mile walk) did what the Daily Mail readers claim ALL cyclists do.
I also noticed that, whenever I came across bike parking thingymibobs, there where more bikes than actual spaces.
Will things ever change without getting a fitter younger more active PM who cycles?