Boris Johnson's rather useless flapping about after the death of several cyclists has culminated in a typically headline grabbing intervention about headphones. What irritates me about Johnson's whole approach is that it is so superficial. As with his campaign against bendy buses, it seems to be based on personal anecdote and wishful thinking rather than sustained effort over time.
Meanwhile, more serious people than the London Mayor are making genuine progress on road safety for cyclists. Both the Lohac contract and the new public realm contract that Brent has just signed, for instance, have provision for the heavy vehicles employed to have various cyclist friendly measures. These are largely directed at making cyclists as visible as possible to drivers. The ideas involved have been known to transport professionals for years, whilst Boris Johnson was simply not paying attention.
It would also be nice if the London Mayor could pay attention to road safety more generally. Pedestrian safety in London is often woeful, with some real blackspots easy to find. There is ample evidence that twenty mile zones would make a real difference to the number of killed and seriously injured.
It would be useful if the London Mayor would pay attention to those issues.
1 comment:
It would be useful if you made the time to look at some of the initiatives Boris has championed within the last year, which would show that he clearly IS paying attention to road safety and innovative measures:
- "Safer lorry charge" back in September (which i believe is going to consultation early next year) to ensure tipper trucks, refuse lorries etc are fitted with side guards to protect cyclists, along with additional front and sideview mirrors and electronic sensors to pick up cyclists in vehicle blind spots.
- The Safe Streets for London plan outlined in June, to improve road safety through pedestrian countdowns at crossings, promotion and installation of more 20mph zones, road safety training for school children etc,
- Promotion and studies into the feasibility of innovativemeasures for cyclists, such as flyunders and flyovers, and Dutch-style roundabouts
- £100m funding for 'Go Dutch' cycling-friendly measures in three or four London Boroughs
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