London's 'cross-Rail' For Cycles.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290129/London-Crossrail-bicycle-Boris-reveals-plan-900million-Crossrail-bicycles-including-15-mile-link-Acton-Barking.html

Seems like a good idea, but don't you think that the cyclist should pay towards the cost of this £900million 'cross-rail for cycles'?

[emmie]

not a good idea, will cost a damn fortune, money they don't have, and quite honestly stop pandering to cyclists.. I know it's Boris, he is a cyclist, cuddly Mayor of London and all that but no for once this is a foolish thing to put money into. Most of the cycle lanes around our way are rarely used already...

[AB Editor]

"but don't you think that the cyclist should pay towards the cost of this £900million 'cross-rail for cycles'?"

They do already. Most of them already have cars and pay taxes.

It's a great way to allow younger people to enjoy cycling without fear of being run over in the capital.

[AB Editor]

It's a Dutch style segregated lane Em, so it's got massive benefit for everyone, including the elderly who have to use mobility scooters. It's not pandering, it's building infrastructure for everyone's benefit.

[New Judge]

Absolutely they should.

This is not just a couple of green painted cycle lanes painted at the side of the road here and there. The sum involved is enormous (and will almost certainly grow to a couple of billion if and when it is ever completed). Furthermore cyclists should be compelled to take Third Party insurance and their machines should also be registered and display number plates. At present they are a law unto themselves who make no proper contribution towards the ever increasing number of facilities being provided for them.

[mushroom25]

//Most of the cycle lanes around our way are rarely used already...//

probably because if that a$$hole Gareth Williams is to be believed, most london cyclist prefer to goad motorists.

[emmie]

it's a way for more bad behaviour, if the cyclists stuck to the rules of the road, which many do not, then i wouldn't ever have a problem with them.
And it's not so much the young people you have to be worried about, it's the daft older men and women who cycled in their youth, now use the Barclays bikes to get around and cause problems. I have already had dealing with the local transport police about the problem of riding over red lights and on pavements, and even they admitted there is a big problem. If cycle lanes are adhered to, everyone happy, but sorry it isn't going to happen..

[emmie]

lot of money, if it gets the green light and done i will be amazed.

[ichkeria]

What a fantastic idea.
Go Boris!

[emmie]

undoubtedly a cyclist.. ^^

[emmie]

how will it reduce traffic? if you need a vehicle to get around for work, and people do, a tradesman for example... and those visiting the capital from outside, not everyone can take a train, bus, or indeed reduce the need to transport goods around for our supermarkets for example. London is already at a standstill, and can't see that many getting out of cars and switching to bicycles is going to change that. I know he has his heart in the right place, but i don't think because of the cost involved this will get off the ground.

[ichkeria]

With any luck this will be like the London Olympics (which may partially have inspired it): i.e. slagged off by all and sundry as too expensive but carried through on the back of one person's vision and becoming a great success. I hope if it does happen it'll be "future-proofed" to stop it meeting the same demise as the M4 bus/taxi lane.

[emmie]

whilst i agree the Olympics and Paralympics was a great success, not sure how one can liken the implementation of a massive cycle network, seeing as how the worlds athletes had a lot to do with the success of the games, however we are dealing with the great British public, who are a different kettle of fish. not only that look at the cost of the Olympics, it spiralled totally out of control, so in a time of austerity, where are they going to find the money. I wish that they utilised the lanes already there, but many do not..

[anotheoldgit]

AB Editor

/// They do already. Most of them already have cars and pay taxes. ///

These 'specifically for cyclist lanes', are being built at a huge cost for cyclists, independent of whether or not they own a car or pay taxes.

[anotheoldgit]

New Judge

And don't forget they should be tested for safety and road worthiness at specific periods.

[AB Editor]

"And it's not so much the young people you have to be worried about, it's the daft older men and women who cycled in their youth, now use the Barclays bikes to get around and cause problems."

I can certainly agree with that.

When I said young people I mean kids on bikes can safely cycle in the capital.

[AB Editor]

"These 'specifically for cyclist lanes', are being built at a huge cost for cyclists, independent of whether or not they own a car or pay taxes."

But the benefit extends to the motorist as well. If it keeps the Barclays bikers out of Em10's way I think it's money well spent - and it might work you know!

[pdq1]

Boris is very good at suggesting almost unworkable schemes. What happened about his estuary airport that no airline wants. This cycle scheme across London sounds great until having to cope with junctions. Alright you see a stretch along the embankment but what happens when you reach Westminster and have to carry on from there. Maybe you need some flyovers.

[Gromit]

The Dutch already have this and it works well. But they planned there's forty years ago and investment in ir has been strong, but gradual.

We in effect are starting from nothing and trying to catch up quickly. Initially it will take a lot of money which might prevent it happening any time soon.

It is amusing reading you incompetent drivers saying that cyclists should not be on the same road as you, and then being upset when that is actually being proposed.

[emmie]

personally gromit, i would zap them right off the road, the whole wretched lot, but that as they say isn't possible. If you want to cycle do so, but do it off the fecking pavements, and stop causing pedestrians to play dodge the loony cyclist by not riding over the red lights..

[pdq1]

In our part of the woods em we have widened the pavements to cater for both pedestrians and cyclists. You can't have 10 year old cyclists riding to school being mown down by 40ton vehicles