tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post6478501734122113113..comments2024-03-27T11:51:03.366+00:00Comments on The Ranty Highwayman: Cycling In London: What Could Be Done NowThe Ranty Highwaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-77637332508992025372013-11-17T16:14:30.108+00:002013-11-17T16:14:30.108+00:00Personally, I would start with some of the junctio...Personally, I would start with some of the junctions on CS2 (sorry to be London-centric, but it is my patch). Many flare out from 2 to 3 lanes and so lane 1 to be cloned for bikes perhaps with vehicle stop line set back and at least early start.<br /><br />Right turns will be more difficult though and I recognise that.The Ranty Highwaymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-80648531693451696012013-11-16T23:51:25.622+00:002013-11-16T23:51:25.622+00:00Do you have any specific suggestions as to locatio...Do you have any specific suggestions as to locations where cones/barriers/temporary signals might be placed immediately?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-8255647642536428472013-11-16T13:46:06.984+00:002013-11-16T13:46:06.984+00:00I think actually, we are almost in agreement! In L...I think actually, we are almost in agreement! In London at least, there are pockets of high cycling use where people are riding and the engineering is catching (Royal College Street is a great example); but, I think the issue now is that we have lots of talk and as much as I don't want things ever to be rushed, I think the cones and barriers coming out on mass, together with experimental schemes (banned turns, one way contraflows etc) a big impact could be tested and cheaply adjusted. All goes back to politicians though.The Ranty Highwaymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-47107096154160127162013-11-16T12:39:01.245+00:002013-11-16T12:39:01.245+00:00Perhaps going against the grain of he original art...Perhaps going against the grain of he original article..what we need is some proper pilot schemes..towns or even a city where major infrastructure is put in..then we can answer the questions we are taking as faith<br />Can we get 10-15% of journeys by bike<br />and importantly what will the impact be on other traffic - my own belief is that a reduction of say 5% in car numbers would have a much greater effect on journey times for cars (based on the much shorter times you see on Fridays and school holidays) <br />If we could show that yes there would be less road space but journey times improved it would be easier to take the non-cyclists with us. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03119797527189251198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-48545107834751905212013-11-16T06:55:09.310+00:002013-11-16T06:55:09.310+00:00I agree, but it is political and I guess the issue...I agree, but it is political and I guess the issue here is one of choice. Building for cycling will reduce capacity for unrestricted motor use and this goes against the grain for some promoting freedom. But, if cycling felt safe and it went the day other other countries, there would be genuine choice as we could choose the bike for shorter, but not walkable journeys. <br /><br />I have gone through my own acceptance of the ideas since I started commuting by bike 3 years ago and this has affected how I look at design. I do worry about some of the things I built in the past though...The Ranty Highwaymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-72143266515821805892013-11-16T02:12:09.751+00:002013-11-16T02:12:09.751+00:00I guess what I'm trying to say is that it shou...I guess what I'm trying to say is that it shouldn't matter if your politicians wear a red hat or a blue hat, you should be able to cycle without taking your life in your hands, just like you don't generally have to worry who's in government to survive a train journey.<br /><br />Everyone agrees that rail safety is important. Politicians might argue about building a new high speed railway, or the logo on your carriage. However, no one would ever allow a politician to get away with making people "share the railway, it's fine if you have your wits about you".<br /><br />We all know that politicians and governments have a tendency to stick two fingers up to factual evidence if it conflicts with the party line. But when lives are at risk it's just too important for petty squabbles to get in the way. So politicians, governments, authorities should be limited by minimum non-negotiable standards put in place by experts that know what they're doing. Stop giving them the option to make BAD decisions that put people's lives at risk like they're currently doing. I don't know how cycling decisions are made in the Netherlands, but it seems to be working a lot better than here!platinumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08821566987659589891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-77872792900110811442013-11-15T17:05:08.697+00:002013-11-15T17:05:08.697+00:00On the national leadership issue, I completely agr...On the national leadership issue, I completely agree.<br /><br />On the taking things out of politician's hands, I would exercise caution. They are responsible and elected to make decisions, not officers of the Councils or TfL. <br /><br />Decisions can be delegated, but the first time an officer makes a decision which is not agreed with, look how quickly it gets overturned. Difficult area in my view.The Ranty Highwaymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-82727755598085303572013-11-15T17:02:51.761+00:002013-11-15T17:02:51.761+00:00The law is set up to give highway authority "...The law is set up to give highway authority "powers" to do things, but these remain discretionary. Contrast with "duties" which are things they must do.<br /><br />To not use "powers" is not legally negligent or irrational in law and the courts do not wish to interfere with how powers are used.<br /><br />Operationally, powers in local authorities are either delegated to officers (most day to day matters, including temporary restrictions), but permanent or experimental restrictions will be a decision by a board, committee or cabinet member.The Ranty Highwaymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-31567434303885994092013-11-15T02:24:07.949+00:002013-11-15T02:24:07.949+00:00Everything I've been reading on the news has s...Everything I've been reading on the news has said "asking for a review" or "consultations" or "discuss what needs to be done".<br /><br />My reaction to the news of all these latest killings is exactly what you've said - get somebody down to the Bow roundabout, and every other dangerous junction, and cone off proper lanes, temporary traffic lights, lower the speed limit, then immediately start building a permanent solution.<br /><br />London's been talking and waffling on and doing next to nothing for years. Now we need some real action. <br /><br />There really needs to be something done at the national level. We need proper standards drawn up, a way to force councils to follow them, and we need people in charge who know what they're doing and laws to back them up. To be honest, I believe this should be taken out of politicians hands. Safety is not a matter for party politics or point scoring.platinumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08821566987659589891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-59788503720650821702013-11-14T22:23:31.703+00:002013-11-14T22:23:31.703+00:00Can one argue that TfL by not banning left turns a...Can one argue that TfL by not banning left turns at Bow is acting irrationally, because "the likelihood of danger to the public" is so apparent, that doing nothing " without delay" is not an option?<br />And if a LA is acting irrationally, can one force them through the courts to act rationally?Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15898014560359608505noreply@blogger.com