Safety fears as Boris lures cyclists into ‘canyons of traffic’

Published: 04 June 2010
by PETER GRUNER

NEW cyclists – or those returning to two wheels after a number of years – are being urged to seek training before joining London Mayor Boris Johnson’s bike hiring scheme being launched next month.

Islington road safety campaigner Caroline Russell has warned new cyclists that they will have to navigate high streets with “canyons of heavy traffic” which often flout 30mph speed limits.

She fears an increase in accidents as a result of people being tempted to get on their bikes too quickly.

Ms Russell spoke out after a woman cyclist was injured in an accident with a heavy lorry at Highbury Corner last week. Figures indicate there has been an increase in cycling accidents in London as more people than ever take to bikes.

Ms Russell, chairwoman of Islington’s Living Streets, said: “While I welcome Boris’s cycle-hiring scheme, my advice to people who are doing it for the first time or after a long break is to have some training.

“As a cyclist in Islington, I’m only too aware of the hazards. You must ensure you don’t do anything that risks the safety of others, including fellow cyclists and pedestrians. I wouldn’t recommend that a novice cyclist jumps on one of these bikes for hire.

“In order to cycle safely in London you have got to understand how to hold your position on the road and not be forced into the gutter. One wobble too close to the kerb and there could be an accident.”

She described an accident at Highbury Corner when she was knocked off her bike by a double-decker bus. 

“I went over my handle­bars into the road,” she said. “I was shocked and scratched. But it could have been a lot worse.”

Training schemes available include the London Cycling Campaign’s bike buddy initiative where experienced riders support those new to the roads. Islington Council also offers free cycle training.

Ms Russell criticised plans by the Mayor for a London cycle superhighway, which she fears is being planned to run too close to main roads, including Highbury ­Corner and Holloway Road.

A Green Party candidate in the local elections, Ms Russell added: “The most effective cycle route is alongside roads which can avoid busy main roads.”

Cyclists having to navigate around busy roads such as Highbury Corner roundabout really needed to concentrate, she said. 

“You have to constantly look over your shoulder to make sure vehicles behind are aware of you,” she added. 

“You have to be very assertive about what lane you are in. It is not something for the fainthearted.”

Islington side roads have 20mph limits but main roads are still 30mph. Ms Russell said there was evidence that motorists continually flouted the 30mph laws and that police were doing nothing about it. “More people are killed on the road than with a knife but police devote all their resources to knife crime,” she said. 

“When a handful of people are killed in a rail crash they close down the line for months afterwards. 

“But there is no outcry or sense of urgency about cyclist deaths and injuries.”

Pick up, drop off – How it will work

MAYOR of London Boris Johnson’s cycle hire scheme, launching on Friday, July 30, will allow cyclists to pick up and drop off one of thousands of sturdy hire bikes at 400 locations.

At least 20 docking stations will be provided in the southern part of Islington. They will be at Rodney Street, Risinghill Street, White Lion Street, River Street, Old Street, Clerkenwell Road, St John Street Library, Goswell Road, Farringdon Lane, Bunhill Row, Finsbury Square, Clerkenwell Green, Central Street, Macclesfield Road, Great Percy Street, Rosebery Avenue and Sadler’s Wells. 

Cyclists will pay £1 for 24-hour access to the scheme, £5 for seven days and £45 for a year. Then they have to pay £1 for up to an hour’s usage, £4 for up to 90 minutes and £50 for 24 hours. 

There’s a late return charge of £150 and a damage charge of up to £300.

Cycling roadshows explaining the scheme are to be held at the Emirates Stadium from noon to 6pm on June 19 and at Highbury Fields from 8am to 4pm on July 4.