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London Deploys Cycle Superhighways Despite "Old Men In Limos"
dkatana writes: London's mayor Boris Johnson had to fight its way through stiff resistance to the new Cycle Superhighways to see his vision of a cycling capital become reality.
Detractors included the Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), which threatened legal action, but ultimately backed away when it became apparent that a judicial review of TfL's plans would simply delay rather than stop the new routes. Property firm Canary Wharf Group had also been vocal, producing an anonymous briefing (which it later acknowledged) that called the planned route "extremely damaging for London." An unnamed borough was threatened with powers to seize control of their roads if cycle superhighways were blocked.
Now the two new segregated bike paths will crisscross the city and open up speedy, safe cycling that will ease pollution and traffic for everyone, non-cyclists, too, Boris Johnson says.
Detractors included the Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), which threatened legal action, but ultimately backed away when it became apparent that a judicial review of TfL's plans would simply delay rather than stop the new routes. Property firm Canary Wharf Group had also been vocal, producing an anonymous briefing (which it later acknowledged) that called the planned route "extremely damaging for London." An unnamed borough was threatened with powers to seize control of their roads if cycle superhighways were blocked.
Now the two new segregated bike paths will crisscross the city and open up speedy, safe cycling that will ease pollution and traffic for everyone, non-cyclists, too, Boris Johnson says.
And your house could be hit by a meteor and crush you instantly at any moment.
I get the fear, but in urban areas cyclists are becoming a more and more common sight in the states. It's way less prevalent in the suburbs, but in the urban core it's less uncommon to see cyclists, and drivers are slowly becoming more aware of cyclists and expecting to see them on the roads. I definitely agree that cycling in a cylist-poor environment is way, way more hazardous than a cyclist rich one. In the last four years of cycling to work here in Dallas (home of the massive SUV) I've noticed that drivers give me a lot more room as they pass than they once did. I'm also seeing 4-5 people cycling to work on my ~20 minute morning commute, where before I saw none. Presumably if I was headed out of downtown I'd see more.
moox. for a new generation.