A new golden age for cycling? It was heartening to see so many families out over the past few weeks. People getting a taste for cycling in the city and perhaps develop a life skill and become politically motivated to call for restrictions on motor traffic and better infrastructure for cycling and walking.
I had high hopes until Johnson’s announcement on Sunday about “get back to work”, avoid public transport, and… drive… and then he quickly added or better still cycle or walk as an afterthought.
After a 30 minute cycle ride this morning where I crossed the Euston Road twice during the morning peak – and it is a peak – it appears to be a new golden age for driving. I saw – albeit on my very short journey – nothing that benefits cycling. But the following tangible and immediate benefits for motorists were plain to see: no congestion charge, no ULEZ, and in Camden there is, in effect, free parking because parking attendants have been instructed not to carry out any enforcement but instead street officers “will be providing a marshalling service to support and direct those that have been provided with free parking across the borough”. And this is in supposedly cycle-friendly Camden. I have received mixed messages about how Westminster council operates. But there is a lot of parking and idling of engines while stationary.
A combination of Khan’s lifting of motor vehicle restrictions, relaxing of controls by individual boroughs, and Johnson’s Sunday night remarks in favour of driving has taken the wind out of our sails. Motor traffic is not only moving, it is moving faster and unrestricted. This does not bode well. There are horrendous reports of crowded buses and tube trains. But drivers – who now pay record low prices for fuel – have never had it so good. Socialism for private car drivers, capitalism on steroids for everyone else, and sod climate change and clean air while you are at it. It’s a mad world led by the likes of Trump and Johnson.
As you have pointed out above. There are plenty of good intentions being put about. And the City of London plans appear to be a genuine step forward and progressive approach. But as far as the boroughs are concerned there are just token interventions. Apparently in Camden Town there is some temporary widening of the pavement going on.
But this is no step-change. And it doesn’t look very much like a golden age for cycling is heading our way anytime soon. Back to the grind of campaigning and pushing at doors that may not be closed but they are not particularly wide open, either. Keep up the good work. Don’t die anytime soon – we need you!
Road Danger Reduction Forum 
A new golden age for cycling? It was heartening to see so many families out over the past few weeks. People getting a taste for cycling in the city and perhaps develop a life skill and become politically motivated to call for restrictions on motor traffic and better infrastructure for cycling and walking.
I had high hopes until Johnson’s announcement on Sunday about “get back to work”, avoid public transport, and… drive… and then he quickly added or better still cycle or walk as an afterthought.
After a 30 minute cycle ride this morning where I crossed the Euston Road twice during the morning peak – and it is a peak – it appears to be a new golden age for driving. I saw – albeit on my very short journey – nothing that benefits cycling. But the following tangible and immediate benefits for motorists were plain to see: no congestion charge, no ULEZ, and in Camden there is, in effect, free parking because parking attendants have been instructed not to carry out any enforcement but instead street officers “will be providing a marshalling service to support and direct those that have been provided with free parking across the borough”. And this is in supposedly cycle-friendly Camden. I have received mixed messages about how Westminster council operates. But there is a lot of parking and idling of engines while stationary.
A combination of Khan’s lifting of motor vehicle restrictions, relaxing of controls by individual boroughs, and Johnson’s Sunday night remarks in favour of driving has taken the wind out of our sails. Motor traffic is not only moving, it is moving faster and unrestricted. This does not bode well. There are horrendous reports of crowded buses and tube trains. But drivers – who now pay record low prices for fuel – have never had it so good. Socialism for private car drivers, capitalism on steroids for everyone else, and sod climate change and clean air while you are at it. It’s a mad world led by the likes of Trump and Johnson.
As you have pointed out above. There are plenty of good intentions being put about. And the City of London plans appear to be a genuine step forward and progressive approach. But as far as the boroughs are concerned there are just token interventions. Apparently in Camden Town there is some temporary widening of the pavement going on.
But this is no step-change. And it doesn’t look very much like a golden age for cycling is heading our way anytime soon. Back to the grind of campaigning and pushing at doors that may not be closed but they are not particularly wide open, either. Keep up the good work. Don’t die anytime soon – we need you!