London Cycle Superhighway

[tumbler]

This could be interesting... http://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/01/28/boris-johnson-commits-to-a-protected-cycle-superhighway-crossing-london/

London Mayor Boris Johnson is showing cities what it looks like to commit real resources to repurposing car lanes for high-quality bike infrastructure.

Yesterday, Johnson announced the city will begin building a wide, continuous protected bike lane linking east and west London when the weather warms this spring. When complete, it will be the longest protected “urban cycle lane” in Europe, according to Metro UK, carrying riders through the heart of the city and some of its most famous landmarks. The bike lane will be separated from vehicle traffic by a curb, London-based design blog Dezeen reports.

While bike infrastructure is cheap, London is devoting serious resources to ensuring that this bike lane is as safe, spacious, and comfortable as it can be. The central portion of the bike route, about 5.5 miles, will cost £41 to construct ($62 million).

http://usa.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bikes-4.jpg

http://usa.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bikes.jpg

[Neil]

As a London resident I shall believe it when I see it.

The existing "super highways" are simply blue paint, and totally ignored by motorists- taxi drivers view the "restricted cycle-way" as an ideal place to Parkin order to pick up and drop off fairs.

[stev0]

as a former London resident, I can say I've pretty much never felt safer in a London bike lane than the street. that includes the lanes that are separated by physical barriers.

and yes.. the existing "bike super highways" are pretty much just blue paint. at the right time of day cars can legally park in them. other times of day, everyone still stops in them. the buses drive over them. Neil is not exaggerating.

Boris pushes a lot of bike infrastructure 'development' that seems to be poorly thought out and only useful for him to be able to brag about it. who cares if it's the longest protected urban cycle lane. ugh. not optimistic.

[Stephen2014]

With all the money the government pimps off petrol tax does anyone in power really want it to happen? (I think a gallon costs about 5x as in the US)

[Mr.Bean]

No cars = more room for bikes perhaps

[ctcyclistbob]

I read this story today...
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/04/tech/city-cycle-super-highways/index.html

... and then found this thread on the subject.

This really is a nice concept and some of the images of the elevated paths are spectacular. Like those have said above about believing it when seen, it does seem like a stretch, but over the long term things do change and hopefully this is one of them.

It would be nice to have these in our future here in the US.