Sea change?

19/11/2014

Hi Fred,

I caught this article on my way through London today and thought 'what a way we have come since a year ago!'. I'm out of the loop, so maybe this is nonsense, but it felt exciting.

R

15th November Protest on Oxford Street

Dear Friends,

This time last year six cyclists died on London's roads in just two weeks [1]. That horrible sequence of tragedies was the impetus for starting this petition [2]. We have made a real impact over the last year and we are part of a large and growing movement for change on our roads. However right now the roads, drivers, vehicles and cyclists out there are largely the same.

We never want to see a repeat of those headlines and we will keep campaigning until people are safe to cycle in London. Today I'd like to share some advice which might be useful for you or a friend:

• Take extra care around lorries, trucks and buses - they are involved in over half of cyclist fatalities. Avoid the left of a lorries at junctions, many turn without indicating first. While the TfL adverts show an articulated goods lorry as the main danger, in reality lorries from the construction & demolition industry are most disproportionately implicated in cyclist fatalities.
• Turn on your lights. If your lights aren't working as well as they should change the batteries or buy new lights if needed. You can find good cheap lights on-line and there are (more expensive) USB powered lights if you don't like changing batteries. Unfortunately some lights are poor quality* and unreliable so check the reviews before you buy.
• Be patient. When the weather is bad and the traffic is jammed it can be frustrating, but it is better to wait a few seconds than put yourself at risk in the danger zone of a lorry or in someone's blind spot. Where possible make eye contact with stationary drivers before you pass in front of their vehicle and if they're not paying attention be very careful.
• Help us keep up the pressure for safer roads - share the petition and come to the demonstration (see below)!

Please join the November 15th protest on Oxford Street to demand Segregated Cycle Lanes, Action on HGVs and 20 mph Speed Limits: www.facebook.com/events/620158668053003

Last year we invited you to the mass 'die-in' outside TfL where over one thousand people protested against the danger on our roads [3]. This year the same group is marching along Oxford Street with a rally at Marble Arch to highlight ten demands for a safer road network [4]. The demands include many of the issues our supporters have told us are important [5], so please help make this protest even bigger than last year.

For further details click here [6]. Also on the same weekend, Sunday the 16th of November is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims [7].

Many thanks again for your support and I hope everyone stays safe this winter,


Fred

---

P.s. The call for safer cycling is now also coming from business groups thanks to cyclingworks.wordpress.com. The consultations are closing soon, so if your employer might be interested please let them know about it today.

* Lights are a safety device and it shocks me that lights from big manufacturers and sold by major retailers have been found to be unreliable and in some cases not even weather proof. This would not be acceptable for any other safety device and it's not acceptable for cycle lights - if you've had unreliable lights please let us know the brand and who sold them.

End London's Lethal Truck Epidemic - petition update

Dear Friends,

On the 20th of October we learnt another cyclist was killed by a lorry in London [1], the fifth such death this year [2]. At the very same junction in April a cyclist was crushed to death under a similar vehicle [3].

One of the key demands of the petition is for the police to clamp down on dangerous lorries. Over half of cyclists killed in London are killed by lorries [4], but statistics from TfL show enforcement action against deadly lorries has reduced [5].

This petition has over one thousand supporters but right now we need to campaign even harder prevent more cyclists dying. On the 15th of November Stop the Killing will be marching down Oxford Street highlighting their demand to Stop the Killing by HGVs [6].

Please join the November 15th protest on Oxford Street to demand cyclists are protected from lethal lorries: www.facebook.com/events/620158668053003

For further details of the protest's location, timing and demands - click here [7].

We will also continue to push TfL and the police on this issue.

You can also follow campaign developments at saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk which also includes updates from the 'Save Our Cyclists' petition.

Many thanks for your support,


Fred Smith

ICE - support London's cycle superhighways.

Following the lead of The Ranty Highwayman, I have written to the ICE asking them to put in to practice their policy of supporting cycling.

I have also started a thread on their Facebook page where civil engineers can easily add their support by clicking 'like'.

My email is as follows:

Response from the Lib Dem London Assembly Members

Caroline Pidgeon AM has responded to our concerns about Canary Wharf's lobbying on behalf of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Members.

This is the third response and follows emails from Murad Qureshi AM (Labour) and Darren Johnson AM  on behalf of the Green Assembly Members. We hope we will hear from the Conservative AMs soon.

Caroline's response:

Thank you for your email about cycling infrastructure in London. I am responding on behalf of myself and Stephen Knight AM, Liberal Democrat Assembly Members. 

I agree that we urgently need safe, segregated cycling provision, and I strongly support the planned North-South and East-West superhighways. They are extremely ambitious, and crucially they provide segregated space for cycling across the city through what are currently some of the most dangerous junctions. It is a tragedy that another cyclist has been killed at one of these junctions while this debate continues. 

I share your concerns over the lobbying activities of Canary Wharf Group, and I have raised the issue of potential conflicts of interest with the Mayor. You can read my question here: http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_277710 

I also raised the issue of needing to tackle these vested interests at a cycling fringe meeting recently. To hear this and my views on cycling in London more broadly you can listen to my speech here: https://soundcloud.com/aldcuk/making-space-for-cycling (from 24m 45s).

I do understand concerns about the composition of the TfL board that have also been raised, and I am happy to raise the issue of greater cycling and pedestrian representation in the future. 

I would like to assure you that the London Assembly Liberal Democrats are firmly in favour of space for cycling, and we will continue to campaign to make sure these projects are completed without being scaled back or watered down. 

Thank you once again for getting in touch. 

Kind regards, 

Caroline

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
Chair Transport Committee
Deputy Chair Police and Crime Committee
www.carolinepidgeon.org

Response from the Green London Assembly Members

Following our emails to members of the London Assembly expressing our concern about the lobbying from Canary Wharf, I received this email from the Darren Johnson AM (also responding on behalf of Jenny Jones AM):

Many thanks for your message. I am responding on behalf of the Green Assembly Members, myself and Jenny Jones AM.  

I share your concerns about the scale and ferocity of the lobbying from some sections of the business community against the plans for an East-West cycling superhighway. This is a long over-due addition to making cycling safer in London and has our support.  Whilst the Canary Wharf Group have every right to lobby against a particular transport project as part of the democratic process, it is nevertheless still very disappointing that they hold such outdated views and that they expending time and energy actively blocking key measures that will improve cyclists' safety in London. Thankfully, the public consultation has generated a strong reaction amongst those businesses which are keen to support the superhighway and I will be pressing the Mayor not to dilute the plans. 

I also share your concern at the apparent attempt by the Canary Wharf Group to keep the lobbying anonymous, especially when a leading member of the Transport for London Board has not declared his affiliation to the strong views of his employers. The Assembly's Transport Committee which I sit on was assured that legal advice was being sought on this, following complaints. Whatever the outcome of the legal advice on the position of Peter Anderson, it would be unimaginable that any member of the Board should not be asked to declare them.  As chair of TfL's Finance and Policy committee, Peter Anderson is clearly in a very influential position. The key issue for me is the issue pecuniary interest, with Mr Anderson being seen to advocate a position which he believes is in the commercial interests of his employers. Such a pecuniary interest would appear to make his position untenable in chairing or taking part in any discussion on this at the TfL board. I will be pursuing this matter formally with the Mayor. 

On the wider issue of the superhighways, it is clear from many of the Mayor's recent answers to my formal written questions that between three or four more highways will be built by May 2016, when Boris Johnson's term as Mayor comes to an end. He will have failed to deliver on the promise to build 12 superhighways which he made back in 2009. A promise he repeated, with the addition of the East-West superhighway, in his manifesto of 2012. My concern is that most of the current projects contained in the cycling vision, including the superhighways, will not be finished by 2016 and could be abandoned by an incoming Mayor.  

The plans for better junctions and the initial three mini-Holland schemes also need the support of everyone who believes that safer cycling is one of the key priorities for reducing traffic congestion and pollution in London. Whilst I can understand why defending the proposal for an East-West superhighway is particularly important, I am also keen not to lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Promoting cycling and decreasing road danger have been consistent priorities for the Greens on the London Assembly and will continue to remain so. If you would like to be kept informed about our work on cycling then please email Rachel.Carlill@London.gov.uk and we will add you to our email circulation list (emails are approximately once a month). Please be assured of our continued commitment to making our streets safer and more attractive for cyclists through our work with cycling campaigners, through putting pressure on the Mayor and TfL and through our formal committee work here at City Hall.

Darren Johnson AM
Green Party Member
London Assembly
City Hall
Queens Walk
London SE1 2AA
020 7983 4388
http://www.london.gov.uk/profile/darren-johnson

Potential conflict of interest to be reviewed by TfL's lawyers

Following our emails to the members of the London Assembly I will be publishing the responses in the order they come in. If you have received a response not listed here, please add it in the comments at the bottom of the page.

The first response I received was from Murad Qureshi AM, as follows:

Dear Fred, 

I agree with your analysis of this conflict of interest for Peter Anderson, hence why l have sent the following letter below to TfL lawyers. 

Murad Qureshi AM

His email to Howard Carter reads:

Dear Howard, 

I write to you in your capacity as General Counsel for TfL. 

It has been drawn to my attention that Peter Anderson the Finance Director of Canary Group PLC is also the Chair of TfL Finance & Policy Committee. 

Following recent media reports that Canary Wharf Group PLC has initiated extensive and anonymous briefings which are critical of TfL’s Cycle Superhighway Plans, are you satisfied that his role is not conflicted in making decisions over the investment into Super Cycle Highways? 

Murad Qureshi AM

Cyclist dies after crash at Ludgate Circus

Dear Friends,

At Ludgate Circus on Friday a cyclist was left fighting for her life after another incident with a left turning HGV [1, 2]. We have just learnt she has died of her injuries. In a similar incident in April at the same junction a cyclist was crushed to death under a HGV [3].

A colleague saw the aftermath and took this
photo of the bike flattened under the wheels

This junction is on the route of the proposed North-South Cycling Superhighway. If the superhighway is built these tragedies will not be repeated [4]. 

This is the superhighway Canary Wharf PLC have been campaigning against and want scrapped. 

Canary Wharf admitted to secretly briefing against the proposals. Peter Anderson is the finance director at Canary Wharf PLC, he is also the chair of the TfL finance committee which decides whether or not these the superhighway will be funded. Peter Anderson has declared no conflict of interest on the subject [5, 6]. It is this kind of lobbying that has prevented safe cycling infrastructure in the past.

We won over public opinion [7]. Now we must ensure the shady lobbying and conflicts of interest are stopped permanently. 

The London Assembly has powers to hold the Mayor and TfL to account and to investigate important issues. The members of the London Assembly are also answerable to us, their electorate. We must alert them so they can put a stop to this lobbying which is putting the lives of cyclists at risk.

Can you take a couple of minutes to write to your London Assembly Member to demand a stop to the shady lobbying against superhighway plans which will save lives?: http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/write-to-your-assembly-members.html

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the cyclist who was fatally injured on Friday.

Thank you for your support,


Fred

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Dates for the diary:
- 15th November will see a major road safety protest on Oxford Street, London: saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/15th-november-oxford-street-road-safety
- 16th November is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: http://www.roadpeace.org/remembering/world_day_of_remembrance/

References:
[1] www.standard.co.uk/news/london/woman-cyclist-in-hospital-after-being-crushed-by-lorry-at-notorious-ludgate-circus-9801791.html
[2] https://rosslydall.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/woman-cyclist-critically-injured-in-hgv-collision-dies-of-her-injuries/
[3]http://road.cc/content/news/133336-second-serious-cyclist-crash-year-ludgate-circus-sparks-demands-action
[4] https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/523089468266672128/photo/1
[5] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/major-corporates-investor-londons.html
[6] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/canary-wharf-finance-director-must.html
[7] www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/overwhelming-support-for-giving-up-more-road-space-to-cyclists-poll-reveals-as-londoners-back-cycle-superhighway-scheme-9800458.html

Write to your Assembly Members

Write to your London Assembly Members to demand a stop to the secret briefings and shady lobbying around the latest cycling proposals. The Canary Wharf PLC employees who failed to declare conflicts of interest need to be removed from TfL committees and have no chance to torpedo the plans.

Write to your Assembly Members

1. Go to www.writetothem.com
2. Type in your postcode and press 'Go'.
3. Select 'Write to all your London Assembly list members' (you may need to scroll down).
4. Write your email - advice on what to say below.

Note: you need to enter some personal details, this is to prevent spam and also to show you live in their constituency - it's important because it means the emails carry more weight.

What to say

Rather than send a standard email it is a much more powerful message if people say it in their own words, but to help you out we want people to share what they've said to inspire others. Please share the text of your email with everyone in the comments below. 

Here's something polite and to the point to get you started, please read & personalise it even just a little:

Dear London Assembly Members,

I would like to draw your attention to recent reports regarding Canary Wharf PLC in relation to TfL, in particular the proposals for new Cycling Superhighways. The reports include secret briefings and a potential conflict of interest by Peter Anderson, who is set to chair TfL's November finance committee which will decide whether to fund the Cycling Superhighways. 

As my representatives on the London Assembly I am calling for you to hold the mayor and TfL to account so they resolve this situation and, if shortcomings are found, follow up with any necessary changes.

We need to know if TfL committee members have undeclared conflicts of interests. Committee members with undeclared conflicts of interest must resign their positions. I am calling for the London Assembly to put pressure on the TfL board to establish conflicts of interest and take appropriate action as a matter of priority.

In addition TfL must review the processes for selecting committee members and ensuring they do not have undeclared conflicts of interest. Where conflicts of interest are discovered there should be procedures for reviewing past decisions which may have been affected. 

Finally I would like to highlight the lack of representation of cyclists and pedestrians on TfL boards. As key components of the mayor's transport strategy cyclists and pedestrians need to be part of TfL's decision making processes. 

I hope you will take action to make sure TfL's governance upholds it's aim to "provide safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport facilities that are in line with the priorities of all sections of society, established through consultation". 

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter and I ask that you keep me informed of action taken. 

Kind regards,

To provide further inspiration, here's an extract from an email by Simon at Stop Killing Cyclists:

"I am writing to express concerns about reports in the media regarding the lobbying of Canary Wharf Group against the proposed cycle lanes. 

Firstly there were reports in the Evening Standard from an anomynous source regarding a group of large London businesses who were against the proposals. Recent reports confirmed the anonymous source as being Canary Wharf Group and that they had paid an organisation to lobby against the proposals.  

Secondly, information regarding journey times in London provided by TFL was used misleadingly in the report issued by Canary Wharf Group. 

Thirdly and most worryingly it has been reported that Canary Wharf's Finance Director is also chairing a meeting held by TFL to discuss the funding of this proposal and that no conflicts of interest have been reported by Peter Anderson despite Canary Wharf's recent lobbying against the proposals. 

As someone who works in the Finance industry and who has worked at Canary Wharf, I am rather dismayed at these reports. I am also surprised at the concerns Carnary Wharf Group have given that the vast majority of people who work at Canary Wharf use public transport and that the proposed cycle highways are some distance from the area. 

I have nothing against those who have a different opinion to this proposed scheme, in fact discussion is be welcomed as this will lead to the best solution. What I do have concerns with is the apparent lack of transparency in Canary Wharf's actions to a proposed infrastructure that will benefit many members of the public and the reported conflict of interest."

15th November, Oxford Street: Road Safety Protest

On the 15th of November there will be a protest march on Oxford Street with a die-in at Marble Arch organised by Stop the Killing. The event seeks to highlight the damage caused by motor traffic & the transport policies which prioritise it above all else. There is a particular focus on safety for people cycling and walking:

"The UK’s road network is not fit for purpose and must be fully reformed to protect road users, the public, society and the environment."

The protest meets at Bedford Square at mid-day and will proceed down Oxford Street which will be closed to traffic in one direction - which should be interesting mid-day Saturday on the lead up to Christmas! At Marble Arch there will be a rally, speeches and a die-in.

Join the protest on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/events/620158668053003

Boris' promises vs. his legacy

Boris is approaching the end of his time as mayor and we're starting to get an idea of which parts he will and won't deliver, however there's still a lot to play for. As Cyclists in the City has written, we need to make sure we get as many promises delivered as possible to ensure the step change for cycling in London isn't a false start. 

Some of the plans are due to be delivered under the next mayor who might not be supportive. We will need to keep campaigning to get the best for cycling and set a precedent for ambitious cycling schemes.

Cycling Superhighways

Mayor Watch report "Two cycle superhighways axed while third is pushed back until 2017".

Originally twelve Cycling Superhighways were planned, with four delivered (numbers 2, 3, 7, 8). Lack of protection for cyclists in the original designs means CS2 is being substantially revisited and all further plans are expected to be substantially segregated.

Proposals for largely segregated routes have been bought forward for CS5 and the North-South & East-West routes, which were not on the original announcement.

Darren Johnson AM (@DarrenJohnsonAM) asked several questions to check the progress of the remaining Cycling Superhighways, these revealed:

• CS1, Tottenham to Liverpool Street - consultation planned this year.
• CS4, Woolwich to Tower Bridge - consultation in winter 2015.
• CS6, Penge to City via Camberwell and Elephant & Castle - deleted from the programme.
• CS9, Hounslow to Hyde Park Corner - In July mayor was asked "Why has there been no apparent progress on taking forward the Hounslow Cycle Superhighway, despite it being 18 months since councillors agreed designs?" We now know this has been blocked by Kensington and Chelsea.
• CS10, Cricklewood to Marble Arch - proposal replaced by the East-West superhighway.
• CS11, Park Royal to Hyde Park Corner - consultation in spring 2015.
• CS12, Archway to Angel - deleted from the programme.

Dangerous Junction Reviews

Darren Johnson has questioned the mayor about the one hundred junctions they promised to review. Written response from the Mayor and Commissioner:

TfL remains fully committed to reviewing all the original 100 locations and making appropriate improvements at any junction where recommendations have been made as a result of this review. A phased review of junctions has commenced, with reviews at 70 junctions completed to date. TfL aims to complete the review process by the end of 2015.

In terms of outcomes being released they say:

If recommendations for improvements arise following the review process at each junction, they will be consulted on publicly and all responses considered before being progressed into detailed design and construction.

Which begs the question, of the 70 reviewed, how many need improvements in addition to the 33 previously identified?

Junction improvements

In February Boris promised to improve 33 of London's most dangerous junctions, as shown on the map below:



Boris has said ten of these will be delivered by May 2016, the schedule for the remaining 23 (including the notorious Bow Roundabout) has not been released but seems likely to be the responsibility of the next mayor.

Cycle Parking

In response to a question from Caroline Pidgeon the Mayor gave the following update:

In 2008, I committed to delivering an additional 66,000 cycle parking spaces between 2008-2012. This was delivered one year early, with 67,208 cycle parking spaces secured and delivered by TfL and its delivery partners by the end of March 2011.

They are now planning to install an additional 80'000 by 2016 and have installed 30'000 - which seems like an awful lot considering how little of it I see on the roads...

Cyclists turning left on red

Question No: 2014/2984 from Caroline Pidgeon:

On page 26 of your 2008 vision for transport, Way to Go, you stated that you would consider allowing cyclists to turn left at red lights, as is allowed in many other European cities. 

Written response from the Mayor and Commissioner:

Allowing cyclists to turn left on a red light at signal-controlled junctions would require a change in UK law. TfL has raised this with the Department of Transport, but we understand the Department has no current intention of exploring such a change. It has not been allowed in the draft revised Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (due for publication in 2015). 

TfL is therefore introducing other cycle-friendly innovations that can be introduced under current regulations.  This includes the provision of early starts for cyclists at signalised junctions and the provision of dedicated lanes for cyclists to bypass signals.  

Conclusions

Cycle Superhighways - FOUR dropped, two new routes added leaving us with ten. In addition, the delivery of several of these routes is going to be under the next mayor. But by the end of Boris' term we should have half the routes delivered (possibly more) and the remainder in the pipeline.

Safer Junctions: 100 reviewed, 33+ identified but only ten delivered.

Cycle parking: Boris met his target.

Looking forward to the election campaign for the next mayor we will need to be pushing candidates to commit to completing the Cycle Superhighways & Safer Junctions, as well as going forwards with their own cycling projects.

P.S. ACTION NEEDED!

Canary Wharf Group PLC have been secretly briefing against the Cycling Superhighways but they chair the Transport for London finance committee which decides whether these get funded.

If they get their way the Cycling Superhighways will be stalled or scrapped at the November meeting. I don't think they are likely to succeed but it isn't a chance we can take.

Write to your London Assembly Members to demand Canary Wharf employees are removed from their committees and have no chance to torpedo the plans: www.writetothem.com (once you input your postcode it gives you a list of people you can write to).

Notes:

• For an analysis of recent schemes see 'TfL - mixed progress on segregated cycling'.
• Much of this information comes from Q&As from the London Assembly collated by the Green Party Group. You can receive their emails by contacting Rachel.Carlill@london.gov.uk 
• The new information also revealed a segregated scheme for Kings Cross is being looked at for consultation next year!

Cyclists vs. Canary Wharf

The attempts by Canary Wharf Group to halt the Cycling Superhighways have been widely reported (here, here and here).

I don't think they will succeed.

They've started by shooting themselves in the foot with a secret briefing so full of holes you could use it as a sieve.

But more importantly cycling has a broad base of active & vocal supporters. We will get people on the streets, we will fill TfL's consultation mail-bag till it bursts and we will lobby politicians at every level.

They want to stop us (potentially) affecting their business. We want to stop them killing cyclists & pedestrians with motor transport. Who is going to dig deeper and fight harder?

This is our chance to make a change for a better London and to save lives.

This is about more than one scheme and it's about more than cycling. It is about everyone who has been put in danger by a motor vehicle, everyone who has a respiratory or cardiovascular condition, climate change, pedestrians, cyclists, parents worried about their children and everyone who hates the clutter/noise/smell of motor vehicles pervading London every day & night.

So while they're enjoying their weekend I'll be campaigning. Please spread the word on Facebook, Twitter and real life. Support the campaign for a safer, healthier, happier and more sustainable London.

London boroughs rejecting segregated cycling

TfL have rightly had a lot of scrutiny on their schemes, including here. However the London boroughs who control 95% of our roads have escaped the spotlight.

It doesn't take long to find serious examples of boroughs failing to provide for cycling or worse, actively resisting it. Freedom of Information requests also reveal that many boroughs have virtually no segregated lanes, except ones built by TfL. It is also becoming apparent that some boroughs are holding back TfL cycling schemes by refusing to cooperate.

In March we ran a poll which found over half of the respondents wanted us to focus on segregated lanes. So with TfL bringing forward ambitious plans, it's time to take a look at the boroughs. We might not like what we see.

City of London Oppose Segregated Superhighways

The City of London are opposing the new North-South and East-West segregated superhighways using spurious objections they seem to have made up on the spot - for instance concerns about the air and noise pollution... from bikes.

They are also removing (unprotected) lanes & instead of removing motor traffic or providing physical protection, they are forcing cyclists to jostle with motor traffic.

Their 20mph limit and plans to make one way streets two way for bikes are welcome, but they don't replace the need for segregated cycle lanes on main roads.

Southwark's Own Transport Department Against Segregated Cycling

Southwark have a poor record and made a U-turn on their cycling commitments. However pressure from grass roots campaigners has led to a review of a major scheme and may signal a change in direction. This is great news however with a history of going back on promises and after admitting their own transport department is the main barrier we need to keep the pressure on every step of the way and also fight for a major change in direction in Southwark - business as usual is not acceptable.

Also in Southwark we have a sad situation where the residents of an exclusive square are seeking to block a quietway.

Westminster Blocked Segregated Cycle Superhighway 5

Despite large numbers of cyclists travelling & working in Westminster, it is one of the least cycle friendly boroughs in London. They also have one of the worst records for cyclist safety.

TfL have proposed a largely segregated lane for the rest of the route, but it appears taking this the full length was blocked by Westminster who are proposing to draw pictures of bikes on side street. Effectively this means CS5 stops at the end of the bridge.

No Segregated Cycling in Camden's West End Plans

Camden's consultation for transforming Tottenham Court Road fails to provide segregated or protected cycling, is disappointing from a borough which has made ambitious proposals in the past. It doesn't do anything to encourage more people to cycle and does not provide for young & old, inexperienced, disabled, less fit people, people with kids cycling or cargo bikes.

Further north Camden are proposing to extend the light segregation on Royal College Street up to Kentish Town. While the improvements & extension are to be welcomed, we aren't going to see large numbers of people take up cycling unless we have a proper network of safe & convenient routes throughout.

And more:

• Kensington and Chelsea 'eviscerated' the Bike Grid, which is pushed to the margins in Westminster and blocked by the Royal Parks according to aseasyasridingabike. UPDATE: It is now reported they have also blocked CS9.
• Wandsworth are proposing a traffic light compromise instead of a Dutch roundabout and only after pressure from TfL, report Cyclists in the City.
• Lewisham are ignoring cycling in their re-design of the town centre. "All this work being undertaken is an ideal time to have some proper cycling infrastructure included, unfortunately it looks like it's been left out" from Facebook.

Name and Shame

Are there any examples of opposing councils we have missed, or schemes where councils have shown leadership & support? Please let us know below, our next step will be to turn up the pressure on the anti-cycling boroughs.

Save Our Cyclists Petition - Update

Dear Friends,

Last winter 36'000 people signed the 'Save Our Cyclists' petition calling for action to keep cyclists safe. After nine cyclist deaths in London this year and 7 months since Andrew Gilligan responded, here is an update of what we've achieved and where we need to keep pushing [1] [2]:

• Ambitious plans for North-South & East West segregated superhighways were released by TfL, which need your support [3]. 
• HGVs safety: TfL are proposing Safer Lorries measures and it appears the HGV enforcement team will be expanded [4] [5].
• CS2 delayed: We were promised designs in June & works starting this year. Detailed proposals have just been announced for works starting next year and completed in 2016 [6] [7]. However we were alarmed to notice the lane disappears at one point and no improvements are proposed for Bow roundabout [8].

We're making progress but the delayed CS2 plans need major changes to address serious gaps in provision. The superhighway must extend the full length of the route and Bow roundabout must be improved for cycling and walking [8].

You can follow campaign developments at saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk

One campaign development we want to tell everyone about is that Rhiannon, who started the campaign, has moved to Switzerland and handed the campaign to me, Fred [9]. A big thanks to Rhiannon for creating the petition and all her hard work. Rhiannon will continue to support the campaign as an advisor, and looks forward to seeing where we go next!

In March we asked you about our next steps and over half chose segregated lanes and in second one fifth chose HGV safety [10]. We will be pushing for both of these in the coming months, and with some councils actively opposing segregated lanes we be widening the campaign.

We will be in touch about this soon but until then please support the ambitious plans for segregated superhighways!

Many thanks for your support,


Fred Smith

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P.s.
-  We asked Andrew Gilligan for comments but he didn't reply.
-  Finally, the petition is still open for new supporters: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-cyclists!

References:
[1] http://cycling-intelligence.com/fatal-cycling-accidents-in-london/
[2] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/gilligans-response.html
[3] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/how-you-can-help-make-londons-planned.html
[4] http://ibikelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/want-safer-lorries-in-london-say-yes-to.html
[5] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/hgv-enforcement-statistics-update.html
[6] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/gilligans-response.html
[7] http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/cycle-superhighway-2-boris-johnson-announces-25m-upgrade-to-notorious-bowwhitechapel-cycle-route-9750149.html
[8] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/cs2-plans-theres-something-missing.html
[9] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/petition-news-since-february.html
[10] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/survey-results-what-issue-do-you-think.html

CS2 plans, there's something missing

After a quick look, the new plans for CS2 generally look good and are a very significant improvement on the current situation. A majority of the route appears to be 2m wide segregated lanes which will be safe, convenient and likely to appeal to cyclists of all ages and abilities.

You can view the details & respond here: consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/cs2-upgrade

However on inspection of the plans there appear to be two huge omissions.

White Horse Lane to Bancroft Road - NOTHING

At this point the cycle lanes just merge in to the bus lane. This is simply not good enough & a huge let down on the scheme. The plans are here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/8b1b95ac

Google street view shows a large area of grass on one side of the road.

TfL need to buy that land and widen the road by a couple of metres so the segregated cycle lane can be carried through. In parallel they should work to offset the loss of green space either using their own land, in partnership with the local authority or by buying land. Doing nothing is not an option.

Bow Roundabout - NOTHING

It appears the reason the most dangerous and intimidating part of this route is missing is because they have not been able to finalise proposals. TfL have stated:

"We are working in partnership with the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham and other key stakeholders to deliver the Vision for Bow: to transform the Bow roundabout junction into a place which all road users will find accessible, safe and connected. We will consult on our proposals this winter."

The current situation is not safe for cyclists and there are no pedestrian facilities at all. A proposal which doesn't tackle the roundabout in the middle of CS2 is not enough. 

I was talking to an able bodied young lady at the London Velodrome (seeing off the night ride to Brighton for Challenge Cancer). She lives on one side of the roundabout and her local shops are on the other side. She said it felt intimidating and unsafe every time she had to dash across the road in between the traffic, especially when carrying shopping. If an able bodied adult feels that way, how can this be acceptable in a residential area with children, the elderly and disabled people?

We must demand the proposals include significant improvements to the roundabout for cycling and walking. At the very least means pedestrian lights & phases. These could be concurrent with cycling phases as the cyclists won't be going down the slip roads on to the A14. Some of the traffic islands might need to be enlarged to safely accommodate pedestrians.

What do you think?

Let us know your comments.

TfL - mixed progress on segregated cycling

Recent schemes bought forward by TfL have shown mixed progress on segregated cycling. While some schemes have failed to meet expectations, the new superhighways proposals are a big step forward and show the message is starting to get through.

This is our opportunity to keep up the pressure and ensure safe cycling is included in every scheme.

Segregated cycling is the number one issue our supporters care about, so please support the new superhighways (if you haven't already). But with some business lobby groups briefing against the proposals, we need to show cycling is good for business. Please also support a new initiative by asking your employer to show their support.

A summary of recent TfL schemes:

The GOOD

• The recent proposals for North-South and East-West cycle superhighways right through the centre of London are a major step forward. 
• Their plan for the Oval was described as 'fantastic'.
• TfL proposed a largely segregated route for CS5 south of the river.

These schemes show TfL are willing to make space for cycling & propose segregated lanes suitable for everyone on roads which are currently dangerous & intimidating.

The BAD

• Their Elephant & Castle (Northern roundabout) received criticism for half measures when it turned out they hadn't followed through on segregation, creating designed-in conflict which is inherently very dangerous for cyclists. 
• Their plan for Kings Cross was not good enough and failed to protect cyclists.

While at Elephant and Castle some attempt has been made, these schemes show that TfL still have problems following through promises to provide safe cycling.

The FUTURE

TfL are showing signs of change. We need to keep pushing to make sure we get safe and segregated cycling. Although members of the public have been supporting the new superhighways, big business groups have been opposing.

So please support a new campaign to set the record straight and ask your employer to take part.

Petition news since February

The Save Our Cyclists petition has been quiet since February, so this post is to tell you there have been some big changes within the campaign.

Rhiannon, who started Save Our Cyclists, has moved to Switzerland for work and didn’t feel she could run the campaign from such a distance. After some searching in the cycle-campaigning community, Rhiannon has handed over the campaign to me, Fred, a structural engineer and cycle campaigner.  Rhiannon will continue to support the campaign as an advisor, and looks forward to seeing where we go next!

I feel there is still a lot the petition can achieve, especially on segregated lanes which was the issue most of our supporters told us we should push on. So expect more action on this soon, but in the meantime please support the North-South & East-West superhighways proposal if you haven't already.

I set up this blog to record the progress of the petition. It also includes a related petition I started before I became involved with Save Our Cyclists (the link is here and you're welcome to sign it). We will be using this to coordinate our next steps on the petition.  Please comment below if you have anything you'd like to share with us.

Finally I would like to leave you with an inspiring video from the Netherlands and if that speaks to you, here's a post about getting involved in cycle campaigning!

HGV enforcement statistics update

Following my request for updated HGV enforcement statistics TfL have now given me the following update:

"Thank you for your email.

TfL, MPS, and City of London Police (CoLP) work in close partnership with Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to proactively enforce against the most non-compliant and dangerous commercial vehicles on London's roads.

Between 1 October 2013 and 1 August 2014, the Industrial HGV Taskforce stopped over 3000 vehicles, issued over 800 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), and seized 36 vehicles.

It is important to note the IHTF actively target the worst offenders, and therefore the results of the IHTF are not indicative of compliance across all HGVs in London.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. "

Compare this to their previous statement from June:

"Between 1 October 2013 and 7 June 2014, 2577 vehicles were targeted and stopped, over 600 fixed penalty notices were issued and 35 of the most unsafe vehicles were seized."

From this I've worked out that in June and July the HGV taskforce:

• Stopped over 400 vehicles - which works out as 200+ per month, which is down from approximately 322 per month reported previously.
• Issued around 200 Fixed Penalty Notices - 100 per month, up from approximately 75 per month previously.
• Seized one vehicle in two months, compared to an average of 4.3 in the previous months.

There appears to be a significant reduction in the number of vehicles stopped, which may be a lull over the summer, but an even greater fall in the numbers of vehicles seized.

This is concerning given the importance of improving lorry safety to keep cyclists safe. It has been reported the HGV task force is to be boosted by over 50%, which would be very welcome, however we haven't seen this officially announced, so we need to keep this in the spotlight.

You can still sign the HGV petition we started earlier this year here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/London-Mayor-Must-End-Lethal-Truck-Epidemic-Now

Cycle campaigning - How to guide

The responses to Rhiannon's survey showed huge enthusiasm for cycle campaigning, however many people felt disconnected from the big campaigns (and our petition too). We need more people to get involved so they can have their voices heard & help make the difference.

This post is a guide for people who want to get involved with campaigning or start their own campaign, with a focus on utilising social media. Cyclenation have a guide to help people run a local group which focusses on more old-school campaigning and is worth a read - the best campaigns do both effectively. Also, the CTC are offering campaigner training and general campaigning advice can be found at campaigncentral.org.uk.

Why social media? 

With social media it's possible for anyone to campaign, from re-tweeting messages to organising a protest. It enables people to make a difference even if they just have an hour or two a week. Small groups of dedicated people are able to run effective and successful campaigns which can reach decision makers & the media, raise public awareness and make a difference.

If you don't have much time to spend you can help by spreading the word about campaigns, respond to consultations & join/support an established group. If you have more time you might want to help run an existing group or start your own. Many older groups don't use social media effectively, if you use social media regularly, running that aspect for an existing campaign can really boost their support & effectiveness.

Social media has two different main uses: discussion & coordination between members of the group and communicating with people outside the group. Different platforms (Facebook pages/groups, Twitter etc.) sit on different parts of the spectrum between internal conversations & engaging with the public.

Social media 1: Building a group

To build a group & work together you will need a place to have your internal discussions. Traditionally this has been monthly meetings, but using social media the platforms best for this are:

• Facebook groups - easy for people to join & get involved. It can also be a good way to reach new people via their friends.
• Yahoo Groups - a hybrid between an internet forum and an email list.
• An email list 

If you need to share lots of files or collaborate on documents you can use a Dropbox folder or Google Drive, which comes with Google Docs for on-line editing. This could be used for campaign materials (poster designs etc.) and minutes from meetings.

Social media 2: Spreading the message

The best platforms for engaging with people & reaching new supporters are:

• Twitter - the most democratic platform.
• Facebook - via a Facebook page or from your personal profile.
• Blogs (and websites) are a great way to present detailed information about your cause & can serve as a resource for campaigners as well as a showcase for your campaign. Most also enable visitors to leave comments and sign up for updates.
• Google+ - everyone with a Google account has access however except for via YouTube and Blogger not many people use Google+.

How to: Build a campaign on social media

With so many platforms it can be difficult to know where to start - you certainly don't need to be on all of them (at least in the beginning). If you or your supporters are already using platforms regularly it's best to start with what you know. A good way to cover the bases & spread the work is to find supporters to take charge of each channel - typically Facebook, Twitter and blog/website leads.

Setting up a campaign might involve the following:

1. Create a platform on which to build the group (see above) - the choice of which will be driven by what your supporters are using already or prefer.
2. Create a website in the form of a blog. For those starting out I would suggest creating a simple blog on Blogger (like this one). If you know what you're doing Wordpress is versatile & can look extremely professional (but for beginners can be problematic, time consuming & look poor). 
3. Create either a Facebook page, a twitter account or preferably both!
4. Use twitterfeed.com to link your blog to your facebook/twitter so when you publish a new post it is automatically shared across your platforms. In this way you can use the blog as the centre of your campaign and reach all your followers.
5. Put links to your twitter or facebook on your blog.
6. Fill out all the profile information, come up with a common profile picture etc.
7. Get everyone to share the new accounts & website with their contacts so you get some followers.

In order to build engagement try to share as much as you can. The downside of having an email group is that no one will see the conversation you're having and want to get involved - where you can try to get your supporters to comment on the blog or on facebook instead. It will also make your page look more popular & relevant to people who visit.

Taking action

Effective campaigns are about supporters, press coverage, engaging decision makers, but mostly getting results. There isn't a magic bullet, you will probably need to use several different approaches, perseverance is key and don't worry if one thing doesn't work.

Here are some ideas:

• You will need to keep in the loop with related & nearby campaigns. A good start is to search Twitter, Facebook and the internet for groups, email lists, campaigns and potential supporters.
• Write letters/emails to decision makers, answer consultations and attend meetings with politicians - many of them don't get much lobbying so this can be effective.
• Put up posters or give out flyers in places potential supporters are likely to be found - for instance local bike shops.
• Stage an event or protest (maybe a cycle ride). This can also be a good way to gather supporters and publicise your group. If you're on Facebook create an event for people to sign up to. 
• Start a petition, for instance with 38degrees (or others)! It's not just about collecting signatures you also need deliver the petition to the decision maker & check they follow through.
• Contact the local press with details and a photo opportunity from your protest/petition and you can often get in the paper.
• Don't give up! It can take a long time to get a campaign moving but you'll be picking up contacts supporters and knowledge all the time. You never know when a contact or speculative enquiry will come good, sometimes months after you contacted them.

Links to check out:

• spaceforcycling.org/uk/ has links to campaigns around the UK.
• London Cycling Campaign local groups - some of these have few active members so anyone wanting to get involved can make a real difference. LCC local groups are crucial for putting pressure on the borough councils.
• Stop Killing Cyclists is a campaign group started in London with a nationwide stopthekilling.org.uk campaign to reform our roads.
• The Cycling Embassy of Great Britain promotes best practice from the Netherlands & Denmark.
• Cyclenation supports local campaign groups across the country.

Note: This post is based on my experience with stopkillingcyclists.org a group which was started, and mainly operates, via social media. This approach won't work for all groups but I hope you've found some useful suggestions & ideas.

Support needed for North-South & East-West superhighway proposals

This week TfL revealed proposals for North-South & East-West segregated superhighways through the centre of London. It's a major step forward with TfL giving space for cycling and proposing lanes suitable for everyone on roads which are currently dangerous & intimidating.

consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/eastwest
consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/northsouth

This sets a strong precedent and is also a major milestone cycle campaigning, BUT business and motoring groups are already lining up to shoot them down. We need to show our support to make sure they go ahead.

The plans have been reviewed in detail by aseasyasridingabike, which has a good summary of why we should support them. They're not perfect but they're one of the best and most ambitious plans we've seen, so we need to show our support as well as pointing out the parts which could be improved.

Please make sure you go support both proposals:
consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/eastwest/consultation
consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/northsouth/consultation

The key part to fill in is the 'Overall Proposals' section, if you want to comment on any of the specific sections of the schemes you can also do that. Finally click 'Finish' at the bottom & make sure you click 'Submit response' on the next page & you're done. Thanks!

23/09/14 update - 'Cycling Works' launched

Cycling Works is new initiative to get employers in London to support the new superhighways. Big business groups are trying to get the plans cancelled and we need to show that cycling is good for employees and good for employers. 

Ask your employer if they will join: http://cyclingworks.wordpress.com/take-action/

Further info:

• Cyclists in the City, detailing why we need to support this and who we're up against
• LCC blog post

What do you think about the North-South options?

The North-South has an option for one part being semi segregated which I feel is not as good as carrying their proposal for a fully segregated 2 way path all the way through. I don't think it makes sense to create an additional set of lights to swap half way down the road. However this is one which might divide opinions so please let me know what you think.

Boris considers safety incentives in bus contracts

Dear Friends,

We have good news for our petition to End London’s Lethal Truck Epidemic:

Boris will consider rewarding safety in bus contracts. With assembly members from his own party raising the issue it is a great opportunity to get progress on one of the petition's demands [1]. We need to keep this in the spot light to make sure this happens. Can you help spread the word by sharing this email with your friends, flatmates and colleagues?

In addition, TfL have plans to tighten up safety requirements for lorries by removing exemptions from safety rules [2]. The consultation is open now, so please show your support.

Finally, there have also been positive statements about HGV enforcement [3], but we want to see the figures.

This is a great start but we need to keep up the pressure: please help by sharing this on Facebook & Twitter.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK 


SHARE ON TWITTER 

Many thanks,

Fred

http://stopthekilling.org.uk/
___
[1] http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/boris-agrees-to-consider-financial-incentives-to-improve-bus-safety/
[2] https://www.facebook.com/cyclingconsultations/posts/1484998491745957
[3] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/tfls-response-to-hgv-concerns.html

How the Dutch got their cycle paths [video]

6 minutes to find out how the Dutch got their cycle paths. It wasn't always like that, in fact they started going down the same route as the UK before changing course.

The video is taken from bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/how-the-dutch-got-their-cycling-infrastructure/ - follow the link if you want more information on the video & Dutch cycling.

I'm sharing the video here because I think it's essential watching for cycle campaigners, I hope you find it inspiring.

Enforcement statistics - HGVs

Dear TfL,

In June I received an email regarding HGV safety (copied below).

I would like to request an update on the enforcement action. In particular you gave the following statistics:

"Between 1 October 2013 and 7 June 2014, 2577 vehicles were targeted and stopped, over 600 fixed penalty notices were issued and 35 of the most unsafe vehicles were seized."

Please could you send me updated figures for:

• vehicles targeted and stopped
• fixed penalty notices issued
• unsafe vehicles seized

Kind regards,


Fred


---

TfL's response to my e-mail about the seriously disproportionate dangers presented by HGVs (their e-mail address is freight@tfl.gov.uk).

"Thank you for your email of 13 June 2014 about the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on London’s roads.

Firstly, you are absolutely right to say that HGVs are disproportionately involved in road collisions in London. 53 per cent of all pedal cycle fatalities between 2008 and 2012 involved a HGV despite only making up four per cent of London’s road miles. Both the Mayor and Transport for London are working hard to reduce the risk posed by HGVs to vulnerable road users and part of our £913m programme of investment is dedicated to this specific issue. We believe that no lorry should be allowed in London unless it is fitted with basic safety equipments to protect vulnerable road users. TfL has completed a feasibility study, Safer Lorry Scheme: the Way Forward (available here tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/safer-lorry-scheme-the-way-forward.pdf), which sets out the options to make this happen. TfL is working with London Councils to implement these recommendations and hope the Scheme will be in operation at the end of this year. We are also increasing enforcement activity against the most dangerous and non-compliant vehicles on London’s roads through the joint TfL/ Department for Transport (DfT) Industrial HGV Task Force. This task force comprises eight police and DfT officers who can enforce vehicle standards regulations. Between 1 October 2013 and 7 June 2014, 2577 vehicles were targeted and stopped, over 600 fixed penalty notices were issued and 35 of the most unsafe vehicles were seized. However, the Mayor is determined to go further and has been speaking to the DfT about how we can improve HGV safety across the UK and the EU. We have been lobbying the DfT to remove the exemptions for construction HGVs that are currently not required to fit basic safety equipment, such as side guards and blind spot mirrors. The Mayor and TfL recently lobbied the European Parliament about the European Commission’s proposals to amend the directive that regulates the weights and dimensions of HGVs. The European Parliament has now passed amendments that, if taken forward, will mean lower cabs and bigger windows will apply to all new HGVs. This means a drivers direct vision around his vehicle will be much better, reducing the reliance on cameras and sensors. Although this means we are unlikely to see these requirements mandatory for all new HGVs until 2022 at the earliest we will keep the pressure up to achieve change as soon as possible for the benefit of all road users. In the meantime, TfL has established an industry working group with over 30 businesses and vehicle manufacturers to encourage vehicle designs that improve direct vision for HGV drivers. While it will take time to implement those changes the group is examining what effective safety improvements could be obtained from existing equipment. The group has also started examining the range of additional safety systems such as sensors and cameras that could help.

Since February 2012, TfL has included cycle safety requirements in its procurement contracts. Vehicles must be equipped with technology to eliminate blind spots and drivers receive on-cycle hazard awareness training. These requirements have also been included within TfL’s Construction Logistics Plan Guidance (which can be found here for planners http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/construction-logistics-plan-guidance-for-planners.pdf and here for developershttp://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/construction-logistics-plan-guidance-for-developers.pdf). These are now included in many planning applications. To encourage other organisations to follow our lead, a guidance document on Improving Road Safety through Procurement is available which recently won the ‘Best London Cycling Initiative’ at the London Cycling Campaign awards. Crossrail, The London Legacy Development Corporation, Thames Water, MACE and a number of London boroughs have already committed to this approach.

Other practical tools to improve lorry safety include:

- a Cycle Safety toolkit for freight operators

- Exchanging Places events to give cyclists the opportunity to sit in the cab of a lorry to see the extent of vehicle blind spots and encourages safer cycling.

Hope this answers your query regarding our position on the issues you raised.

Thank you once again for contacting us.

Yours sincerely, Freight and Fleet Team, Transport for London"

Follow-up email to Andrew Gilligan

We asked Andrew Gilligan for an update on the petition demands & to comment on recent developments but unfortunately he didn't reply. The email we sent him is below:

Dear Andrew,

Save our Cyclists Petition - Update

Last winter 36'000 people signed the 'Save our cyclists' petition, and it was handed to you on the 10th of December. On the 12th of February Rhiannon shared your response with the signatories. This email is to give you an update on the petition and our next steps. We are planning to email our supporters about progress in late August and would like to give you the opportunity to comment before we send it.

We believe there is a lot more we can achieve with the petition to improve cycling in London.

• In March we ran a poll which found over half of the respondents wanted us to focus on segregated lanes. In second approximately a fifth prioritised action on HGVs. 
• In both your response to us and in your speech at the Big Ride you highlighted the need for support to win the debates on a borough level. 

We will be pressing for delivery of segregated & high quality lanes across London, identifying those boroughs which appear to be obstructing cycling infrastructure & the schemes which fall short of the standard identified in the Vision for Cycling.

Below this email I've identified the main developments since February to share with the petition. If you have anything to add or respond to please could you send that to me by Monday 25th August.

Kind regards,


Fred Smith


---

Petition progress since February

I have worked through the demands (bold italics) and identified progress since your email to Rhiannon. We've referred to your speech at the LCC Big Ride [1] and consultations which have been published by TfL.

We would appreciate any comments or updates you can give us. If you prefer to submit a formal response, we will send that to our supporters. We will need to receive any response by the 25th of August to include it in the email.

We call on Boris Johnson and Andrew Gilligan to vastly accelerate their plan for expenditure of the £913 million cycling fund, by releasing an accurate, costed and time-bound plan for how the fund will address cycle safety over the next 12 months, from the end of December 2013.

Your speech to the Big Ride [1] included announcements on:

• Central London Cycling grid & quietway pilots [2] 
• Mini-Hollands 
• Junction improvements [3] 
• Segregated cycle routes through the centre, proposals to come September & October.
• There have also been TfL consultations on Vauxhall, CS5, Oval, Kings Cross and the Elephant & Castle northern roundabout.

We would be interested to hear the latest progress. Has there been any progress agreeing suitable routes for the 'Bike Grid' with the boroughs since the online map was published, or is this still ongoing?

- Cycle Superhighway 2
In your response to Rhiannon you said that you would "publish detailed designs in June and begin work in the second half of this year". At the Big Ride you said the consultation would start in September. Are you still targeting a start in 2014?

- Heavy Goods Vehicles
We welcome the Safer Lorries proposal which is currently being consulted upon [4] and you hope to implement early next year.

Are there any updates on banning HGVs during peak times or the ongoing enforcement against HGVs you also mentioned?

- Training for motorists, including TFL staff
No further announcements.

- Training for cyclists No further announcements.

- Further investment in the cycling fund
No further announcements.

---

Link to the petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-cyclists

References:
[1] http://hfcyclists.org.uk/andrew-gilligan-speech-space-cycling-big-ride-saturday-17th-may-2014/
[2] https://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/planning-for-the-future/vision-for-cycling/central-london-cycling-grid
[3] http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/290m-plan-to-make-london-roundabouts-safer-and-less-threatening-to-cyclists-9154064.html
[4] https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/safer-lorries

Note: I have edited out the part where I introduce & tell him a little about myself.

Survey results: 'Are there any other comments you'd like to make on the campaign?'

This post looks at the answers to the third question on the survey. There are a lot of similar answers between the responses to questions 2 & 3, with respondents offering suggestions for the development of the campaign:

Survey results: 'What do you think is the most important thing we can do now?'

Following on from the previous post which reviewed the three questions asked by the survey and the answers to the first question, this post looks at the answers to the second:

Unlike the first question which used a multiple choice, this question took responses in comment form. You can find a large selection of the responses below, I have done a small amount of editing & reformatting to remove irrelevant comments and improve legibility.

Survey results: 'What issue do you think we should push on?'

Following on from the petition hand in, Rhiannon ran the poll 'What should 'Save Our Cyclists' focus on now?' so supporters of the petition could have their say on the next steps. Over 800 people took the time to answer the survey.

There were 3 questions asked:

• What issue do you think we should push on? 
• What do you think is the most important thing we can do now?
• Are there any other comments you'd like to make on the campaign?

This post looks at the responses to 'What issue do you think we should push on?', which was presented as a choice between the following statements.

• Banning HGVs in central London
• CCTV cameras and saftey provisions on HGVs
• More funding for the Mayor's Cycling Vision
• Training for HGV drivers
• Training for cyclists
• 20mph speed limits
• Improvements to the CS2 infractructure
• Segregated cycle lanes
• The plan Gilligan sent us is not good enough - we need to push him for more details
• Other (users could input their view)

The results were as follows, in order of number of votes:

1. Segregated cycle lanes - 428 
2. Banning HGVs in central London - 117 
3. 20mph speed limits - 66 
4. CCTV cameras and safety provisions on HGVs - 44
5. The plan Gilligan sent us is not good enough - we need to push him for more details - 29
6. Training for HGV drivers - 27 
7. More funding for the Mayor's Cycling Vision - 25 
8. Training for cyclists - 24
9. Improvements to the CS2 infrastructure - 17

What does this tell us?

Firstly, I think it's important not to read too much from this part of the survey in isolation to the opinions given in the rest of the survey (& talking to cyclists elsewhere). For instance it would be easy to say 'Segregated lanes' was a clear winner, but that doesn't imply HGVs aren't also considered a big problem - respondents were only able to pick one item.

With that in mind we had a think about what message we should take from this part of the survey & the results do show a very strong preference for segregated lanes.

This is a bit subjective but reviewing the results further I felt the some of the choices were linked & therefore might have suffered from split voting. Therefore I tried linking choices under 5 categories as follows:

• Segregated/protected lanes (Segregated cycle lanes OR Improvements to the CS2 infrastructure) - 445
• HGVs (Banning HGVs in central London OR CCTV cameras and safety provisions on HGVs OR Training for HGV drivers) - 188
• 20mph - 66
• A better plan (The plan Gilligan sent us is not good enough - we need to push him for more details OR More funding for the Mayor's Cycling Vision) - 54
• Training for cyclists - 24

Conclusion

After analysing the results the message I felt came through strongly was the preference for segregated lanes with over half of the votes. Clearly HGVs are also a major concern for a large number of cyclists, with a number of other issues also causing significant concern.

TfL's response to HGV concerns

TfL's responded to an e-mail about the severe dangers presented by HGVs as follows. The bold sections are my emphasis to pick out the items which might be useful for campaigning:

"Thank you for your email of 13 June 2014 about the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on London’s roads.

Firstly, you are absolutely right to say that HGVs are disproportionately involved in road collisions in London. 53 per cent of all pedal cycle fatalities between 2008 and 2012 involved a HGV despite only making up four per cent of London’s road miles. Both the Mayor and Transport for London are working hard to reduce the risk posed by HGVs to vulnerable road users and part of our £913m programme of investment is dedicated to this specific issue. We believe that no lorry should be allowed in London unless it is fitted with basic safety equipments to protect vulnerable road users. TfL has completed a feasibility study, Safer Lorry Scheme: the Way Forward (available here tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/safer-lorry-scheme-the-way-forward.pdf), which sets out the options to make this happen. TfL is working with London Councils to implement these recommendations and hope the Scheme will be in operation at the end of this year. We are also increasing enforcement activity against the most dangerous and non-compliant vehicles on London’s roads through the joint TfL/ Department for Transport (DfT) Industrial HGV Task Force. This task force comprises eight police and DfT officers who can enforce vehicle standards regulations. Between 1 October 2013 and 7 June 2014, 2577 vehicles were targeted and stopped, over 600 fixed penalty notices were issued and 35 of the most unsafe vehicles were seized. However, the Mayor is determined to go further and has been speaking to the DfT about how we can improve HGV safety across the UK and the EU. We have been lobbying the DfT to remove the exemptions for construction HGVs that are currently not required to fit basic safety equipment, such as side guards and blind spot mirrors. The Mayor and TfL recently lobbied the European Parliament about the European Commission’s proposals to amend the directive that regulates the weights and dimensions of HGVs. The European Parliament has now passed amendments that, if taken forward, will mean lower cabs and bigger windows will apply to all new HGVs. This means a drivers direct vision around his vehicle will be much better, reducing the reliance on cameras and sensors. Although this means we are unlikely to see these requirements mandatory for all new HGVs until 2022 at the earliest we will keep the pressure up to achieve change as soon as possible for the benefit of all road users. In the meantime, TfL has established an industry working group with over 30 businesses and vehicle manufacturers to encourage vehicle designs that improve direct vision for HGV drivers. While it will take time to implement those changes the group is examining what effective safety improvements could be obtained from existing equipment. The group has also started examining the range of additional safety systems such as sensors and cameras that could help. 

Since February 2012, TfL has included cycle safety requirements in its procurement contracts. Vehicles must be equipped with technology to eliminate blind spots and drivers receive on-cycle hazard awareness training. These requirements have also been included within TfL’s Construction Logistics Plan Guidance (which can be found here for planners http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/construction-logistics-plan-guidance-for-planners.pdf and here for developershttp://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/construction-logistics-plan-guidance-for-developers.pdf). These are now included in many planning applications. To encourage other organisations to follow our lead, a guidance document on Improving Road Safety through Procurement is available which recently won the ‘Best London Cycling Initiative’ at the London Cycling Campaign awards. Crossrail, The London Legacy Development Corporation, Thames Water, MACE and a number of London boroughs have already committed to this approach.

Other practical tools to improve lorry safety include:

• a Cycle Safety toolkit for freight operators
• Exchanging Places events to give cyclists the opportunity to sit in the cab of a lorry to see the extent of vehicle blind spots and encourages safer cycling.

Hope this answers your query regarding our position on the issues you raised.

Thank you once again for contacting us.

Yours sincerely, Freight and Fleet Team, Transport for London"