One of the few positive effects of the Coronavirus could be the start of a golden age of cycling in London. Even after restrictions on public transport are lifted, many people will be in no rush to venture back into crowded tube carriages and cramped buses. As well as being a practical alternative to public transport, many Londoners have also turned to cycling during the lockdown as a convenient form of socially distanced exercise.
With companies such as Halfords reporting a surge in bike sales, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to increase cycling in the capital tenfold. Here are a few of the measures he is proposing to get Londoners on their bikes.
Streetspace for London
As any cyclist will tell you, one of the worst aspects of cycling in London is the lack of space. It is common to be pinned in on all sides by traffic, leaving you feeling extremely vulnerable. TFL’s Streetspace for London project aims to solve this problem by greatly reducing on-street crowding. Across the city, pavements will be widened, and new cycle lanes and routes will be added, including a temporary cycle lane along Euston Road. Measures are also being introduced to reduce traffic in residential areas, thereby making the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Increasing cycle parking
Finding a safe place to leave your bike is a huge headache for London's cyclists. The mayor has promised to improve the situation by increasing the number of safe parking spaces for bikes. There are now over 20,000 parking spaces near London's stations and a further 150,000 on the streets. There are also covered bike storage areas called cycle hubs at several major stations, and secure cycle hangars in residential areas.
Have you been injured in a cycling accident?
Even with these new safety measures, cycling in London can be extremely risky. In 2018, over 4,000 cyclists were killed or seriously injured in the capital, making it by the far most dangerous city in the UK for cyclists. If you or a family member have been involved in a cycling accident, you should know that there is support available. If you need advice on cycling accident claims, reach out to a team of experienced lawyers to see how they can help you.
