Cycle Superhighway Proposal - Good News?

Cycle Super Highway

Residents of Hammersmith and Chiswick aren't all thrilled about our Council's new proposals for a "Cycle Superhighway" that will run through both neighbourhoods. The Hammersmith Society, while in favour (in principle) of better cycling routes, has come out against the scheme.

What's this all about?
It's all about LBHF's new proposals for a "Cycle Superhighyway" that will run through Hammersmith and Chiswick and make it easier to cycle in to the centre of London from the Western Suburbs.

Why is the Hammersmith Society against it?
The Hammersmith Society supports the principle of safer cycling, but has concluded that this scheme is "potentially very damaging for the Hammersmith in particular, but also for Chiswick High Road".

Their main objection is to the speed of the cycle route: "Cycle Superhighways encourage high speed long distance commuter cycling", and that this would be "of no benefit to a town centre such as King Street". They also argue that "high speed cycling can be very intimidating to pedestrians and slower cyclists".

In addition, they argue that King Street is "already very narrow", and that the scheme "will involve further restrictions on footway widths for pedestrians and road widths (single lane) for buses and traffic generally. There will be no allowance for passing, stopping off, breakdowns and emergencies, deliveries and servicing to shops and banks or parking in King Street. This will almost certainly lead to regular traffic snarl ups in King Street and delay bus times."

Councillor Harry Phibbs has also come out against the scheme, arguing that LBHF are only supporting it because of the extra funds it brings from TFL. You can see his blog post here.

Isn't cycling a good thing?
Overall, more cycling in our city should surely be a good thing. Cycling means fewer cars on the road, and reduces congestion. But cycling is dangerous, and proper cycle lanes surely help to keep cyclists safe. However, as ever, the devil is in the detail. Study the plans for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

The deadline
Whatever your views, you can send your comments to TFL by 31 October.  You can comment on the official plans here. Or, you can write to TFL at FREEPOST TFL Consultations.

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