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LC: So, cycling has a champion in the shape of a ‘cycling mayor’... Mayor Boris Johnson: I cycle to work as much as possible and I intend to continue to do so. I am a staunch supporter of cycling, and am keen to see many more Londoners get on their bikes and experience the many joys of cycling. LC: To what degree is cycling centre stage in your vision for a future London? BJ: Cycling is a key element of my vision for London. This year I have committed £55 million to develop cycling in London and I am currently working with Transport for London (TfL) to develop ambitious targets for increasing the numbers of people cycling. My commitment to deliver a central London bike hire scheme, more cycle parking and to work with the police to tackle the problem of cycle theft is further evidence of my desire to put cycling at the heart of my plans for transport in London. LC: Will you commit to treating cycling as the fourth serious transport mode alongside buses, trains and the tube? BJ: We will strive to be fair to the users of all current modes of travel. Rather than developing some form of false hierarchy and competition between the various modes of transport in London, I am interested in ensuring that Londoners will be prompted to consider all options that are open to them, and don’t just automatically rule out the possibility of travelling by bike. If there are specific reasons that people are put off the idea of cycling in London – such as the possibility of cycle theft – then we need to look at these reasons and target them. It is clear that there is much more capacity for people to cycle in London. I am keen to ensure that cycling is expanded, that it receives the funding to do so, and that the idea of cycling is made more attractive and safe for all Londoners. LC: A number of London boroughs would like to implement 20mph limits but insist that it must be a London-wide initiative. Will you back a London-wide 20mph limit on streets where people live, work and shop? BJ: Where there is a proven safety benefit of having a 20mph zone in residential areas or near schools, for example, then I would be keen to see the borough in question implement these for the benefit of both pedestrians and cyclists. However, I do not intend to impose such measures on a London-wide basis as it is the boroughs that clearly know the specific issues of their traffic and road safety problems far better than any mayor does. LC: How will you encourage a new generation of road traffic engineers to help to create liveable streets and
16 August/September 2008 LONDON CYCLIST
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public spaces and to encourage cycling? BJ: We’ve made clear how keen we are to encourage a growth in cycling, and this will be taken into account in all our future plans, as will my commitments regarding enhancing public spaces and preserving green corridors. It is patently clear that there is limited road space in London, unlike some other more modern European cities, and so will we need to ensure that all road users respect each other and share that space in the most efficient and effective way possible. LC: Some 3500 people signed LCC’s petition asking you to reconsider plans for allowing motorbikes in bus lanes – most left comments saying how unsafe they felt and some said it might stop them cycling. Are you worried that such a change will undermine your plan to increase cycling in London? BJ: I am keen to encourage modal shift away from the private car, and believe that motorcycles have an important part to play in this. Further consultation must be undertaken before motorcycles can legally use TfL’s bus lanes (on the red routes) and both TfL and I will listen very carefully to the different views expressed on this proposal before implementation. LC: How, as a cyclist, can you justify supporting a policy that is opposed by cycle lobby groups? BJ: As mentioned above, I want to see all of London’s road users sharing the available road space in the most efficient and effective way possible. There is no statistical evidence to suggest that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes leads to a worsening in
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