Cycleway 4 extension

Transport for London is to proceed with plans to extend the segregated cycle route that currently ends at Anchor and Hope Lane in Charlton to the Woolwich Ferry roundabout. This would extend the existing cycle route from London Bridge and enable more people to reach the centre of London safely. TfL is promising to build new pedestrian crossings over the notoriously hostile A206 and widen the footway at certain locations to make it easier to walk.

Read the Transport for London press release here

Greenwich transport strategy

Greenwich Council’s consultation on the draft transport strategy has now closed. See the results here (although beware the file is extremely large and takes a long time to load)

Archive

Covid temporary cycle route on Shooters Hill Road

Phase one of the new temporary cycle route along Shooters Hill Road is almost complete. The traffic controls at the new crossing near Corelli Road are to be installed which completes the section between Baker Road and Weyman Road passing the Charlton Lido. The ‘bus stop boarders’ have been installed to allow bus passengers to board the bus at pavement level. Cyclists need to be especially aware of pedestrians/bus passengers in these areas.

The route uses wands to separate riders from motor traffic which will be of special benefit to new cyclists. Under phase two, this route will route continue to Old Dover Road, then follow a quieter route to Greenwich Park. We look forward to this route running through to the top of Shooters Hill as was originally planned.

Greenwich Car Free Day 22 Sept 2018
A great family day out

Greenwich Town Centre will open up for a day of fun for all ages, on Saturday 22 September 2018, to celebrate Car Free Day.

From 12pm until 6pm, local businesses will open in the street, serving up tasty street food and teaching the public how to master their crafts. They will join street performers and childrens’ activities, as well as a host of live music.

The beautiful, historic town centre will also be home to a beach area, complete with deckchairs to relax in. There is a sports and wellbeing area for those who want to get active, as well as a chance for people to trial the latest electric bikes and have their own bike checked over in the cycle area.

To find out the latest news, visit

CarFreeGreenwich on Twitter or join the Facebook event

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New Cycle Lane for Navada Street

It’s been some years since the Council consulted on the idea for a contraflow cycle lane for Navada Street in central Greenwich but it is now reality.

The new route will allow those exiting Greenwich Park to turn left into Navada Street and give access to a safer and quieter route through to Creek Road.

The current route down King William Walk and onto the Greenwich one way system is particularly busy during the morning rush-hour so is best avoided if possible.

Thanks RBG.
Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels go smart

Cyclists using the foot tunnels in Greenwich and Woolwich should check the overhead sign to see when they should walk their bikes. A new computer vision based system can now identify the numbers of walkers, and cyclists in the tunnel, and display messages to ask cyclists to dismount only when pedestrian levels are high.
An initial trial period is currently underway and messaging will be adjusted over the coming weeks. Please support this trial by walking your bike when the sign says to, and help demonstrate that the tunnels can permanently operate as a shared space.

Please also download and use the BetterPoints app to track your journeys through the tunnel. You will be rewarded with BetterPoints for all of your walking and cycling trips, with bonus points when you walk your bike through the tunnel. Points are redeemed for high street vouchers or charity donations. We will also be running a prize draw every month, and you will earn a prize entry for every recorded trip.

Visit techtunnels.betterpoints.uk for more information and look out for us at events we will be running at the tunnel throughout the summer.

Download the free app and get started.

New signage in Greenwich Foot Tunnel

Experimental new signage is being tested in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel in order to regulate the use of cycles. A Greenwich Council official said the idea was to permit considerate cycling when the tunnel was not too busy. At present, a long-standing bye law forbids cycling in the tunnel which is now used by hundreds of commuter cyclists every day.
Gloucester Circus, Greenwich
Gloucester Circus junction with Crooms Hill blocked to motor traffic

Greenwich Council has erected bollards at this junction, with a ramp either side to permit cyclists, buggies and wheelchairs. On the Crooms Hill side, there will be a slight bump as the council needs to permit water flow in the gutter downhill. On the Crooms Hill side the ramp goes onto a traffic calming hump. You can also see that two of the bollards can be lowered, presumably for emergency vehicles. Note also the parked car—one is okay but two cars side by side would block access. -Anthony Austin and Liz Delap
QUIETWAY CONSULTATION OPEN & OTHER UPDATES
Thames Path Quietway Consultation

Royal Borough of Greenwich is working with its partners Transport for London (TfL) and Sustrans to develop proposals for new ‘Quietway’ routes, to enhance facilities for people cycling or walking, while minimising impacts on other road users. Consultation is now open on improvements along the cross-Peninsula section of the ‘Thames Path Quietway’ in Peninsula Ward. Further proposals for sections of this route in other Wards will be brought forward for consultation in due course. To respond to this consultation online: http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/thamespathquietway
Rochester Way Lane Separators Trial

Additionally, as part of the Royal Greenwich Cycling Strategy, the council is currently trialling new cycle ‘lane separators’ on Rochester Way, between Wendover Road and Kidbrooke Park Road. The intention of these separators is to provide extra comfort and safety for cyclists on one of our primary cycle network routes. Please feedback on this trial to help the council plan for potentially using them in other suitable locations in the borough. You can send through your views on this trial by completing the online survey at http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/cyclelaneseparators

Community Projects

The Royal Borough is keen to support community-based cycling groups. To find out more about developing a group or how to access support, please contact joel.demowbray@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or call 020 8921 8074.

EWISHAM CYCLIST SETS NEW WORLD RECORD

Sidney Schuman, a member of Lewisham Cyclists, has set the 80 to 84-year-old one-hour cycling record by clocking 28.388 kilometres (17.4 miles) at the Lee Valley Velodrome in the QE Olympic Park. Cheered on by family, friends and London cyclists, Sidney chalked up 114 laps of the track used for the 2012 Olympics.

Speaking after setting the record, 84-year-old Sidney said he hoped it would encourage more 80-year-olds to cycle regularly and lead active lives. He attributes his fitness to genes, regular cycling and the care and affection of his family. “Love makes the wheels go round,” says Sidney.

Brought up in Hackney, some two miles from the Velodrome, Sidney has been cycling in London since childhood. He joined a local cycling club and specialised in time trials and hill climbs. He now lives in Hither Green where he used to work as a maths teacher and draughtsman. For the record attempt he rode a standard Condor track bike (as used by all people who hire bikes at the Velodrome), with a slightly higher stem than normal and his own saddle. For regular cycling he rides a London-built Roberts.

The 80 to 84-year-old hour record has not been set before and Sidney expects others to beat it. The UCI recognises world records in 5-year intervals and the closest to Sidney’s is the 75-79 record at 35 kilometres set by a 75-year-old. The nearest (and only current) age record above 84 is the 100 to 104-year-old record set by Frenchman Robert Marchand at a remarkable 27 kilometres.
TELL TFL WHY YOU SUPPORT SPACE FOR CYCLING

Take action now: show your support for the new Cycle Superhighways

Earlier this month, TfL unveiled its impressive designs for two new Cycle Superhighways in central London. And we think they’re good. Not perfect, but a major step forward in creating streets that are safe and inviting for cycling.

So while the plans aren’t perfect – and we have concerns around some of the details which we will be addressing with TfL – overall we (and others) think they could be a game changer. If these plans go ahead, it could open the door to more quality high quality cycle infrastructure in London.

Now TfL wants to know if Space for Cycling is what Londoners want, and it’s down to you to tell them. Others, who don’t want to see this kind of Space for Cycling being created, are opposing them. It’s essential for as many people as possible to show their support for the proposals. Without your support, the plans are at risk of being watered down, delayed – or scrapped altogether.

LCC has set up a tool to make it as easy as possible for you to support the proposals in just a few moments. (You can also take part in the consultation via the TfL website).

Please email TfL now and show them that we want Space for Cycling.
SPACE FOR CYCLING AT NEW BATTERSEA ROUNDABOUT?

Wandsworth council has released a radical new design for Queens Circus roundabout at the corner of Battersea Park.

It is providing separate space and signals for cycle traffic at most of the junctions, but is this really the best practice ‘continental style design Londoners have been promised? Wandsworth council describes its hugely complicated plans for Queens Circus as “cycle friendly” and “the first of its kind in London”.

Currently cyclists make up about a third of the morning peak hour flow on the roundabout. Often there are so many that they fill a whole traffic lane and cars give them space. The new design gives less space to cyclists with added delay, well over a minute in the worst case – that can only lead to congestion and risk taking behaviour.

Cyclists in London have been waiting for years for Dutch-style infrastructure at junctions, while the proposals at Battersea provide segregation from motor traffic at the busiest points it is at the cost of a confusing set of signals which are likely to increase the number of times cyclists have to stop and increase the waiting time, especially for those coming out of town in the evening peak.

Campaigners have suggested that this junction would work much better as a crossroads with protected space and turns for cyclists; the minor estate roads would join away from the main junction. A crossroads would provide much more open space available for pedestrians and public realm improvements. Currently the green centre of the roundabout is inaccessible to all.