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Pedal power vs truck torque

13th May 2010, Page 20
13th May 2010
Page 20
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Page 20, 13th May 2010 — Pedal power vs truck torque
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

London's streets will soon be teeming with even more bikes as two cycle initiatives go live in the summer. But how wilt this affect delivery operators?

Words: Laura Hailstone WITH AROUND HALF of all cyclist deaths in London involving lorries, it is fair to say the relationship between cyclists and truck drivers is an uneasy one.

For operators delivering into London. Boris Johnson's forthcoming Cycle Hire and Cycle Superhighways schemes are about to increase the chances of one of their lorries being involved in an accident with a cyclist, simply through weight of numbers.

Transport for 1..ondon OIL) is investing a staggering 111m in cycling initia tives this year, which includes improving parking and road conditions for cyclists, in a bid to encourage more people to convert to two wheels.

Cycle Superhighways

The first of Johnson's schemes involves the creation of 12 dedicated cycle routes stretching across London. The first two routes go live next month as a pilot and run from Merton, Surrey, into the City via the A3, and fromBarking, Essex, to Tower Gate via the A13. With the majority of the Superhighways which will run in new blue lanes located directly outside numerous businesses and shops that receive daily deliveries there appears to have been little thought given to the freight requirements of these premises. As reported by CM, the Brewery Logistics Group (BLG) is deeply concerned about the scheme as it has calculated that its members will have to deliver to some 58 pubs on the Merton route alone (CM 29 April).

BLG chairman Mike Bracey and BLG member Tradeteam have now walked part of the route with TfL communication manager for the scheme, Richard Shirley, and are less concerned about the disruption to their deliveries as they are about the safety risk to cyclists.

-I think the cyclists are going to be disappointed; the Superhighways have been over-hyped and are little more than regular cycle lanes. They end where there are bus lanes or other street furniture, meaning that cyclists have to venture around buses and delivery vehicles. The marketing of the scheme has suggested a more dedicated, safer haven for cyclists than there actually is," says Bracey

Indeed, a quick trawl of some of the online cycling forums reveals at best a lukewarm reception for the lanes, with many cyclists disappointed that TfL seems to have spent an awful lot of mon ey on "throwing some blue paint" on existing bike lanes. The expectation was that these routes would be like those in Iolland that give priority to cyclists and ensure a continuous path. However, TfL has said that no change has been made to the traffic regulations so trucks will still be able to stop to unload.

With the Mayor looking to bring about a London cycling revolution, increasing cycling in the capital by 400% by 2025 (compared with 2000 levels), it is clear that cyclist numbers will only grow.

With growing concerns among its inem hers, the Freight Transport Association (F1A) is making cycling one of its priority areas to tackle in much the same way it did with parking fines.

"If the two schemes were being designed from scratch no we would be involved from the off. Unfortunately our industry wasn't consulted on either scheme and how the new blue lanes are going to interact with our members' deliveries hasn't been taken into consideration," says Natalie Chapman, FIA head of policy for London. She explains that TfL and the ETA have now established a good rapport and if there are any future schemes, "we would be consulted':

On a positive note, the ETA has drawn up a cycling concordat with TfL that it is due to sign shortly. -"the aim is to get cyclists considering the needs of freight and freight considering the needs of cyclists," explains Chapman. -We will be having regular dialogue with TfL as a result:"

The FIA will also be launching a Cycling Steering Group that will meet quarterly to discuss the key areas of concern around the cycling initiatives. • • See letters, page 22.


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