Mayor’s new Vision for Cycling is “Groundbreaking” says LCC

Mayor Boris Johnson has today published what the London Cycling Campaign believes to be one of the most ambitious plans to promote cycling ever produced by a major UK political leader.

With multiple commitments to adopt Dutch style infrastructure and international best practice - as well as commitments on better cycle routes, motor traffic restriction in residential areas and ‘mini-Holland’ town centre developments - Mayor Johnson has made his strongest statement to date that he means to keep the promises he made to LCC’s Love London, Go Dutch Campaign.

Speaking to LCC, Andrew Gilligan said:

"Today's document shows how seriously the Mayor has taken his Go Dutch promise to the LCC and the cyclists of London. Both the Mayor and I pay tribute to the LCC, journalists, bloggers and other campaigners for driving the issue so far up the political agenda."

Key wins for LCC’s campaigning include:

- An increase in the total cycling budget to almost £400m over the next three years.
- £100m (instead of £19m) set aside for implementing the Better Junctions Review - which will also now prioritise the worst junctions for cycling.
- A commitment to delivering future Cycle Superhighways to ‘close to international standards’.
- One to three “mini-Holland” developments in outer London, showcasing how town centres can be redesigned around cycling.
- The development of a London Cycling Network (LCN), including a Central London Bike Grid.
- Borough cycling funding to be conditional on ensuring best safety standards for borough HGVs.

Responding to the Vision for Cycling LCC Chief Executive Ashok Sinha said:

“The Mayor’s Vision for Cycling is exciting and ground-breaking, and a just reward for the 42,000 people who supported our Love London Go Dutch campaign. Although it could be improved and we are yet to see the details, which will be critical to its success, the Vision represents a major leap in political ambition and funding for cycling over the next three years, and is an unambiguous commitment to learning from international best practice as called for by LCC supporters.”

Whilst commending the Vision, LCC nonetheless remains concerned about a number of elements: for example there is no clear direction to TfL to prioritise walking and cycling as the general rule in London streets, there appears to be a substantial reduction in cycling funding envisaged from the next Mayoralty onwards, and it contains no upwards revision of the modal share target for cycling from 5% to 10% as recommended by the London Assembly. LCC will work with the Mayor and TfL to not only help implement the Vision but also improve it further.

LCC has produced a summary analysis of the Vision, listing the major advances as well as concerns, which can be found at http://lcc.org.uk/articles/....