London mayor Boris Johnson should set aside more road space for cyclists, according to a cross-party report out today.
The London Assembly’s transport committee has also urged more ambitious targets be set for the number of journeys made by bike in the capital as cycle safety continues to decrease in the city.
The report – entitled Gearing Up – calls on the mayor to double funding for cycling in Transport for London’s budget, timetable an action plan for the east-west cycle super corridor.
Assembly members also recommended a cycling commissioner is appointed and a plan was developed to ensure all children in London receive cycle training.
According to the report, the number of cyclists injured in the capital has increased year-on-year from 2,958 in 2006 to 4,497 last year.
The mayor wants 5% of journeys to be made by bike by 2026, but the committee says this should be doubled to 10%. Copenhagen has an ambition for 50% of journeys to be made by bike by 2015.
The investigation showed that as cycling participation increased in other European cities, so did the safety of cyclists. However, such a trend has not occurred in London, which has seen modest rises in the number of journeys made by bike in recent years.
Committee chair Caroline Pidgeon said: ‘Following a strong interest in cycling during the 2012 Games, it’s of great concern that cycle safety in London is now showing a decline in real terms. We are calling on the Mayor to act quickly to back up the warm words that make up his vision for cycling with real substance that has an impact on boosting safe cycling in London.
‘Our report shows measures such as doubling cycling funding, making more space on our roads for cyclists and improving junction design, and trialling creative ideas to improve safety could all play a part in encouraging more journeys in London to be made by bike. A more ambitious vision backed by real political will and safer conditions could help London reach the high levels of cycling seen in other European capitals.’
