A consultation on a grid of cycle lanes across central London – a cornerstone of the city mayor Boris Johnson's £913m vision to 'de-lycrafy' cycling in the capital – has been announced today.
The proposed Central London Grid will include up to 60 miles of routes on fully or semi-segregated tracks, quiet back streets and park paths, said Transport for London, which announced the consultation today.
Some of the proposed lanes, which will also take in some controversial Cycle Superhighway infrastructure, will shadow existing bus and tube routes, such as the Circle Line Quietway and Victoria Line Quietway.
Boris Johnson said: “We are creating a new network of routes for a new kind of cyclist: routes for people who want to cycle slowly, in their ordinary clothes, away from most of the traffic. These are your secret cycling passages through London, taking you everywhere you need to go, directly and easily, using routes you might never know existed until we showed you.
“The Central London Grid will, I hope, de-lycrafy the bicycle, reduce the testosterone levels in cycling, and move towards a continental-style cycling culture, where cycling is normal."
The cycling commissioner for London, Andrew Gilligan, said: “This is a promising start, but it is a first draft and we are looking forward to the views and ideas of the cycling community, residents, local business and anyone with an interest."
Johnson announced his vision for cycling in March. In November he came under massive pressure from the public and cycle campaigners to accelerate his plans to improve safety after six cyclists were killed in just 13 days – a spate that was described by CTC's campaigns and policy director, Roger Geffen, as a "horrible statistical fluke".
For more information on the consultation and to contribute, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/cyclinggrid.
