*Mayor of London : News Release*
5-6-2009
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today unveiled proposed routes for the first two of London’s twelve Cycle Superhighways - the corridors for cyclists that are a key part of his policy to stimulate a cycling revolution in the capital.
Boris Johnson pledges allegiance to London's cyclists
The two pilot routes, which will be up and running in May 2010, are from South Wimbledon to Bank via the A24 and A3, and Barking to Tower Hill via the A13 and Cable Street. The Mayor and TfL are consulting closely with the eight boroughs that the routes will run through.
The aim of the Cycle Superhighways is to provide safe, direct and continuous routes into central London from the outer boroughs, making life easier for cyclists and encouraging those who travel into work by other modes of transport to commute by bike, helping to cut congestion, relieve overcrowding, and cutting emissions.
Another ten routes, spanning across London and greatly improving the capital’s cycling infrastructure, are being developed ahead of 2012, with each route covering between 10 and 15km.
The Mayor said: “I'm not kidding when I say that I'm militant about cycling, and these Superhighways are central to the cycling revolution I'm determined to bring about. No longer will pedal power have to dance and dodge around petrol power - on these routes the bicycle will dominate and that will be clear to all others using them. That should transform the experience of cycling - boosting safety and confidence of everyone using the routes and reinforcing my view that the bike is the best way to travel in this wonderful city of ours."
The Mayor has made the coming months London's summer of cycling, which he hopes will kick-start a major boom in the number choosing pedal power, and as part of this he is giving new detail to his plans to make London a true cycling city.
The Mayor continued: “I'm delighted that, as part of our summer of cycling, I can now unveil plans for the first two pilot routes, which are moving apace in close consultation with the relevant boroughs. There is real excitement about cycling building in the city, and the Cycle Superhighways show we are serious about delivering real positive changes that will benefit us all."
The two pilot routes will link residential areas like Tooting, Clapham, Poplar and Canning Town to central London and will run on a combination of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and roads owned and managed by the London boroughs.
Each route will be given its own identity with consistent and easy to follow road markings and signs. Safety issues will be addressed through specific measures such as the provision of advance stop boxes and providing continuous lanes through junctions as appropriate.
In addition, obstructions will be minimised and improvements made to road surfaces to ensure a smoother ride.
Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's Director of Transport Policy, said: "Cycle Superhighways form a key part of the Mayor and TfL’s target to increase cycling in London by 400 per cent by 2025, compared to 2000 levels. From cycling the proposed routes myself, and speaking to a whole range of cyclists, I'm sure that these routes will prove a hugely welcome addition to London's cycling infrastructure - giving many more people the confidence to ride".
David Brown, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL said: "The routes will provide safe, fast and direct routes into central London and, once completed, are likely to run through around 24 London boroughs.
"TfL has started discussions with the boroughs and other interested groups to define and develop detailed plans for the scheme. Further information will be released on the pilot routes and remaining ten Cycle Superhighways as these conversations progress and detailed schedules are finalised."
Alongside the delivery of twelve Cycle Superhighways, the Mayor and TfL will introduce a range of initiatives aimed at encouraging more Londoners to travel by bike. These include cycle training, the development of a cycle hire scheme, cycle parking, and a host of events.