Cyclists banned from new London railway

If only all railways were this accessible (BikeRadar.com)

UK cyclists are fighting plans to ban bikes from a rail network.

The Crossrail project would see a new underground route built beneath London. But the scheme proposes to forbid any bikes from the central route, and there will be no cycle parking at main stations.

Now the CTC, the UK’s largest cycling members body, has launched a petition against the plans, which are due to be examined by a Parliament Select Committee in the next few months.

Crossrail users would take lifts from ground level down to underground platforms, and campaigners claim there woiuld be plenty of room for bikes.

London mayor Ken Livingstone has set a target to increase cycling in London fourfold by 2025, and the CTC says the Crossrail plans run completely counter to this.

CTC policy coordinator Chris Peck said, "Crossrail is mad to stop cyclists travelling in and out of central London with their bikes. The Government and rail industry knows that cycling neatly fills the gaps between stations, making it easier for people who would otherwise drive to take the train and hop on their bikes at either end.

“There is no reason why Crossrail can't allow cycles on their trains - these will be large trains with flexible space and lift access to platforms.

"Underground railways in New York, Paris, San Francisco and Liverpool all allow cycles to be carried - why can't we have the same in London?"

The Crossrail route will run from Maidenhead in the west to Shenfield in Essex and Abbey Wood in south east London. 

The tunnelled section will run from Acton Main Line to Abbey Wood and Stratford and cycles will be banned from the whole of this route.

Cycle parking will not be provided at the Crossrail stations to be constructed in the central, tunnelled section (Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs, Custom House and Woolwich). 

You can read the Crossrail cycle policy here. 

The CTC expects to be asked to make its case for better cycle facilities to a Select Committee in March this year. The Crossrail Bill, which would grant the legal powers to start the project, has been passed by the House of Commons, but has yet to be cleared by the House of Lords.

(c) BikeRadar.com

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