P CYCLING
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Is the introduction of the London Cycle Superhighway a sensible option?
following observations with CM readers.
• Having seen the number of cyclists that flood into London around 8am. the blue routes could hopefully keep them in a more controlled environment rather than all over the road, weaving in and out of traffic, jumping lights, etc.
• There are many gaps in the 'blue' marking as the routes will cease through bus stops and at various other points on the route, meaning that cyclists will have to negotiate around buses, lorries loading/unloading, which could create a safety hazard for the cyclists. This should then be compensated for by virtue of the fact that these cyclists do it every day and hence are "experienced" at cycling in London.
• As the blue routes are only advisory, there are no specific concerns regarding dray deliveries, and in fact the biggest problem for the cyclists will be buses, which operate all day, every day while the drays will only be -operating" once or twice a week at each de livery point.
• I feel that cyclists will be disappointed in what they see, on completion, as the promotion of the superhighways gives a much more "comfortable" feeling for cyclists than there actually is. For example, the website mentions "minimising obstructions': which is not really possible, and "the cycle superhighways will be at least 1.5m wide and provide con tinuous cycle lanes at junctions, advanced stop boxes, and signals to help you keep safe", which is not always the case.
To summarise, the superhighways have been over-marketed.
We still have concerns that traffic orders will be needed in the long term to improve the safety of the cyclist, which will be extremely detrimental to logistics operators in general.
Furthermore, the BLG still has major concerns over the cycle-hire scheme, as this will encourage cyclists who do not necessarily have the competence of the more experienced superhighway users and London is not the place to learn to ride a bike.
This activity definitely needs more investigation. Also it will be interesting to know who holds ultimate responsibility under The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.
Mike Bracey Chairman Brewery Logistics Group