Temporary Cycle Lanes in RBKC Removed

Temporary cycle lane on High Street Kensington

Few things get Londoners more upset than cycle lanes. If you are a cyclist, the absence of cycle lanes in central London verges on the barbaric - what civilised city would expose cyclists to the danger of occupying the same route as cars and lorries?

If you are a driver, then little gets you more annoyed than the often empty cycle lane next to you as you sit in one of London's frequent and endless traffic jams. 

RBKC are removing the temporary cycle lanes on High Street Kensington, but are they right to do so? Many locals think not, and have launched a petition at Change.org.

Cycle Lanes on High St Ken
RBKC are removing the temporary cycle lanes, apparently before the formal pilot scheme has run its course. Critics allege that RBKC have "refused to look at the data or speak to local communities. " The cycle lane across Kensington High St is (or was), it is argued, "the only safe cycle route from Shepherd's Bush to central London".  London cyclists look at cities like Amsterdam or Munich and ask themselves - why can't we do that here?

Petition at Change.org

If you'd like to sign the petition, follow this link.  Alternatively, to join the debate here, leave your view in the comments section below.  Should there be more cycling in London? Many people don't support cyclists because so many don't bother to obey the rules of the road - such as stopping at a red traffic light. 

According to one local resident from Brook Green: "High St Kensington is a vital west-to-east route, and since Holland Park Avenue has no cycle lane, offers the only chance to get into C London safely, without dodging many buses, parked vans, traffic.  Particularly now as we are all trying to use bikes and improve road safety as much as possible, it is a huge step backwards to take out the bike lane that has transformed safety for cyclists along a vital route."

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story about our neighbourhood, email us at shepherdsbushblog@gmail.com