New London Superhighway - what's your view?
pmorgan1
Posts: 173
Hey all,
A lot of you must commute along the Victoria Embankment - Upper Thames St - Lower Thames St. What's your view on what's going to come out at the end of the ongoing construction?
In all fairness, I don't dig it (pun not intended). In places the dedicated bike lane is wide enough to have 3 riders abreast going both directions, but there are places where this narrows to just one bike each direction. For once, no room to overtake. Secondly, it's likely to be similar to Cable street where pedestrians often cross anywhere they like. Thirdly, no more turn towards Trafalgar square or from it.
At the moment I'm thinking I'm going to carry on commuting with the cars. This is in line with the Highway code. Which is, surprisingly, not a law.
A lot of you must commute along the Victoria Embankment - Upper Thames St - Lower Thames St. What's your view on what's going to come out at the end of the ongoing construction?
In all fairness, I don't dig it (pun not intended). In places the dedicated bike lane is wide enough to have 3 riders abreast going both directions, but there are places where this narrows to just one bike each direction. For once, no room to overtake. Secondly, it's likely to be similar to Cable street where pedestrians often cross anywhere they like. Thirdly, no more turn towards Trafalgar square or from it.
At the moment I'm thinking I'm going to carry on commuting with the cars. This is in line with the Highway code. Which is, surprisingly, not a law.
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It is designed for pootlers not for people commuting 20 mile each way. It is part of an overall masterplan to significantly increase the number of cycle journeys in Central London. In that regard I think it is a good example of big thinking and will work. For people wanting to cycle at 20mph+ it is a disaster0
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I've got my South of the river route plotted already in anticipation, avoids the entire highway from Blackfriars to Parliament nicely.0
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If the volumes are going to be anything like what they are now, it may be fine in the evenings. Mornings may be different, and I'm still curious to see how access to the lane from Parliament Square heading East/North is going to work.
My biggest concern relates to the areas where you can or can't cross from the main highway into the bike lane. In some sections you can't tell whether there's a kerb or whether it's flat, especially the bits that have been set aside for motorbike parking, at the moment you have to look carefully to notice the kerbing. I'd be afraid that some people will head across into the bike lane and ride into the kerb.Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
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http://www.slidingseat.net/cycling/cycling.html0 -
If the volumes are going to be anything like what they are now, it may be fine in the evenings. Mornings may be different, and I'm still curious to see how access to the lane from Parliament Square heading East/North is going to work.
My biggest concern relates to the areas where you can or can't cross from the main highway into the bike lane. In some sections you can't tell whether there's a kerb or whether it's flat, especially the bits that have been set aside for motorbike parking, at the moment you have to look carefully to notice the kerbing. I'd be afraid that some people will head across into the bike lane and ride into the kerb.
I thought that was just me. The new lanes around the Oval heading South are a nightmare to decipher. In fairness they do seem to work.0 -
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Like others have posted above, I can't think of any bike lanes that are designed for 'us' - to be fair, they're put in to encourage pootlers, with the aim of increasing uptake of cycling in general (especially for short trips in cities)
I tend to treat most bike lanes as 'buffer zones' - a way to cycle relatively quickly on a main road without having to do it 12 inches from the kerb. Perfect example of this is the bike lane from the Scilly Isles roundabout all the way up portsmouth Road into Kingston. Apart from a coupel of pinch points at lights where traffic builds up, it's nice to be able to cruise along at 35k/h without worrying about being left hooked or crunched into the gutter.
The cycle superhighways in town are never going to be great for us - but there will always be a way to take a different route rather than suffer the frustration of nod-hell, or ride in the 'real' road if you want to keep up with traffic. This is all provided Boris (or whatever pillock follows him) doesn't decide to take it upon themselves to make them any of them mandatory bike lanes - which would be a nightmare.Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
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They will de facto become one way lanes during rush hour. I reckon
Agreed. Not much cycle traffic coming west on the Vicky in the morning (although it will only take a couple of tourists on Boris bikes to cause havoc), imagine the reverse will be true east of Blackfriars.
Am still trying to work out what's going on at the South end of Blackfriars bridge, as what's on the ground (admittedly not finished) doesn't (yet) bear much resemblance to the pretty pictures of the N-S superhighway. Will say though that the left turn from Stanford St onto Blackfriars Road since they've closed the spur is actually better from a light timing standpoint.0 -
I've cycled over Blackfriars Bridge for the last 8 years just fine. Not looking forward to the N-S CS, especially the southend junction left into Southwark Street.0
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They will de facto become one way lanes during rush hour. I reckon
Agreed. Not much cycle traffic coming west on the Vicky in the morning (although it will only take a couple of tourists on Boris bikes to cause havoc), imagine the reverse will be true east of Blackfriars.
Am still trying to work out what's going on at the South end of Blackfriars bridge, as what's on the ground (admittedly not finished) doesn't (yet) bear much resemblance to the pretty pictures of the N-S superhighway. Will say though that the left turn from Stanford St onto Blackfriars Road since they've closed the spur is actually better from a light timing standpoint.
There are always people - including ME! - riding up towards Parliament Sq from the East in the Morning. Not droves; but enough to stop it being a one way lane. And at the lights at Tower Hill I am often one of twenty waiting0 -
I've got my South of the river route plotted already in anticipation, avoids the entire highway from Blackfriars to Parliament nicely.
Share?0 -
They will de facto become one way lanes during rush hour. I reckon
Agreed. Not much cycle traffic coming west on the Vicky in the morning (although it will only take a couple of tourists on Boris bikes to cause havoc), imagine the reverse will be true east of Blackfriars.
Am still trying to work out what's going on at the South end of Blackfriars bridge, as what's on the ground (admittedly not finished) doesn't (yet) bear much resemblance to the pretty pictures of the N-S superhighway. Will say though that the left turn from Stanford St onto Blackfriars Road since they've closed the spur is actually better from a light timing standpoint.
There are always people - including ME! - riding up towards Parliament Sq from the East in the Morning. Not droves; but enough to stop it being a one way lane. And at the lights at Tower Hill I am often one of twenty waiting
Good luck....0 -
They will de facto become one way lanes during rush hour. I reckon
Isn't that dangerous? * A group of Boris bike tourists heading the opposite direction *0 -
I've got my South of the river route plotted already in anticipation, avoids the entire highway from Blackfriars to Parliament nicely.
Share?
Cross Blackfrairs, then turn onto Stamford road up to the IMAX (which is pretty grim) or use Upper Ground (using the ped crossing on Blackfriars), then get around the plaza and enjoy the clear run up to the next river crossing. Superhighway avoided.
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Except that the N/S CSH is not that far behind the Embankment (it's been a conefest for months south of the river). The new segregated paths around Oval seem to work pretty well, although I do tend to run through a bit later than most. It's also an area with fairly few pedestrians, which helps. The SW-bound bit needs some better street lighting, though. The short sections on the big triangular island at Oval are very poorly lit.I've got my South of the river route plotted already in anticipation, avoids the entire highway from Blackfriars to Parliament nicely.
Share?
Cross Blackfrairs, then turn onto Stamford road up to the IMAX (which is pretty grim) or use Upper Ground (using the ped crossing on Blackfriars), then get around the plaza and enjoy the clear run up to the next river crossing. Superhighway avoided.1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
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Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
My personal view - It's in London - meh
What's a cycle lane?Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
What's a cycle lane?
It's like a trail centre for roadies...We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
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What's a cycle lane?
It's like a trail centre for roadies...
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From the comments here it can't be as it doesn't sound like that much fun?What's a cycle lane?
It's like a trail centre for roadies... (Good response though!) Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
And another bit has opened, https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/cycle-superhighway-5
TFL haven't used the photo doing the rounds though...
If more than the athletic are going to cycle in central london we are going to need probably segregation of sorts.
I have soften to segregation within reason, helped that my town bike is a old MTB with fast knobblies compared to the road SS I had before can cope with the more intresting cycle lanes, in some cases by taking a different line ie rather than wiggling around just mount the kerb. or simply ignoring it in some cases.
Got to admit never liked the embankment Westminster - Tower Bridge.
unless they add more traffic lights etc surely the time taken should be broadly the same?0 -
From the comments here it can't be as it doesn't sound like that much fun?What's a cycle lane?
It's like a trail centre for roadies... (Good response though!)
This morning it was an absolute hoot - an hour after getting off my bike my legs are still hurting from racing a roadie along the entire embankment (on and off the new path where it was finished). Dunno where all the traffic was0 -
If they're going to ride anything other than Boris Bikes, we need some way for them to get their bikes into Central London too. How many people live within "non-athletic cycling" range of Central London? Some, for sure, but a tiny fraction of the population.If more than the athletic are going to cycle in central london we are going to need probably segregation of sorts.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
If they're going to ride anything other than Boris Bikes, we need some way for them to get their bikes into Central London too.
If only there were parking facilities for bikes at stations, or some form of small foldable bicycle that people could take on trains. Thinking about it, isn't there someone on here that used to do something similar? That guy on that bike? Can't quite remember who.
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If they're going to ride anything other than Boris Bikes, we need some way for them to get their bikes into Central London too. How many people live within "non-athletic cycling" range of Central London? Some, for sure, but a tiny fraction of the population.If more than the athletic are going to cycle in central london we are going to need probably segregation of sorts.
According to the 2011 Census the average London commute was 11kms. Assume many people live within walking disatnce this would still imply that they believe 25-30% of people live within non-athletic cycling range of work.0 -
I will continue to ride with the cars probably, or just go the way Pete has mentioned. I too think the kerbs are hard to spot, and think the two way element and lack of any warning for peds etc means there will be many accidents.Blog on my first and now second season of proper riding/racing - www.firstseasonracing.com0
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The bits I've seen are too narrow - 1 bike each way, which doesn't allow for the Boris-bike wobble/checking e-mail/can't really ride factors.
And I do come down onto Embankment from Trafalgar Square - I go from Marylebone to Hyde Park, Mall then onto Embankment.
Suck it 'n' see, I suppose. Better than nothing.
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
My personal view - It's in London - meh
What's a cycle lane?
So they have officially shut the Blackfriars underpass for cyclists. The signs are out saying no cyclists in the tunnel. If you ask me, underpass is not a tunnel
On a serious note - the alternative route is what - swimming?0 -
I'd have thought cycling through anyway. It's a road isn't it? Do the signs trump the fact that you're generally allowed to be on the road on a bike.My personal view - It's in London - meh
What's a cycle lane?
So they have officially shut the Blackfriars underpass for cyclists. The signs are out saying no cyclists in the tunnel. If you ask me, underpass is not a tunnel
On a serious note - the alternative route is what - swimming?0 -
My personal view - It's in London - meh
What's a cycle lane?
So they have officially shut the Blackfriars underpass for cyclists. The signs are out saying no cyclists in the tunnel. If you ask me, underpass is not a tunnel
On a serious note - the alternative route is what - swimming?
heading West to East there is an access tunnel - turn left at the lights then immediate right0 -
I just ride straight through it. Ride well over to the left if going slowly, or smash it and keep defensive and take primary (or even further right than that) to stop overtakes.0
