LCC

The London Cycling Campaign has pledged to monitor the Mayor Boris Johnson's first 100 days in office, delivering a verdict on his cycling commitments after that time.

In the days before the election, Johnson promised to deliver the three Love London, Go Dutch commitments during his first mayoral term:

1. Create three flagship Love London, Go Dutch developments on major streets or locations;
2. Ensure all planned developments on main roads under his control are completed to Love London, Go Dutch standards, especially junctions;
3. Complete the Cycle Superhighways to Love London, Go Dutch standards.

Chief executive Ashok Sinha said, "Our Love London, Go Dutch mayoral election campaign has been great success, delivering a mayoral promise for our Love London, Go Dutch commitments.

"The first 100 days of the new mayor’s term will be the most important because this is when he will make important appointments, set out new policies and allocate budgets.

"That's why we'll be delivering our verdict on his actions to promote Dutch-standard infrastructure after 100 days.

"We'll also be asking our supporters where they want the Mayor to deliver the flagship walking and cycling projects that he has committed to building."

The first post-election reshuffle of Boris Johnson's City Hall team has seen responsibility for cycling policy given to Isabel Dedring, his Deputy Mayor for Transport.

During the last administration, cycling policy was handled by Kulveer Ranger, who was Director for Transport Policy.

As Deputy Mayor, Dedring is one of the Mayor's most trusted advisors.

In his new role of Director for the Environment and Digital London, Ranger is no longer expected to play a key role in cycling policy.

The London Cycling Campaign and British Cycling have written a joint letter to re-elected Mayor Boris Johnson reminding him of his pre-election commitments to cycling, and to offer support in meeting those pledges. 

Read the text of the letter below or download it as a PDF.

On 27 April 2012, the eve of the Big Ride, Johnson promised to implement the three commitments of the Love London, Go Dutch campaign during his new mayoral term:

1. Create three flagship Love London, Go Dutch developments on major streets or locations;
2. Ensure all planned developments on main roads under his control are completed to Love London, Go Dutch standards, especially junctions;
3. Complete the Cycle Superhighways to Love London, Go Dutch standards.

Johnson also committed to putting a cycling representative on his new Roads Task Force and to lobbying the Ministry of Justice for tougher sentencing for road users who kill or seriously injure cyclists.

At The Times cycling hustings, Johnson also committed to appointing a cycling commissioner within City Hall to make sure cyclists' interests are properly represented.

He also re-stated a commitment to use mayoral powers more fully to force unwilling boroughs such as Barnet and Newham to adopt cycling measures.

The hustings, which took place on 30 April 2012, were notable for the audience booing suggestions from the mayor that people on bikes in London are typically dreadlocked Lycra-clad racers. 

In a British Cycling survey of London cyclists over half of respondents named cycle lanes as a priority issue.

Of the 1471 people polled, 52% said dedicated space for cycling on roads was a major issue, echoing the campaign aims of our Love London, Go Dutch campaign.

Six out of ten (61%) respondents named bad driving as their biggest fear when riding in the capital, while only 2% named other cycilsts as their top hazard.

Olympic gold-medal-winning cyclist Nicole Cooke said, "By creating more dedicated space for cyclists and fostering a culture of mutual respect, London could create a cycling experience that could one day rival great cities like Copenhagen or Amsterdam."

Dear Mr Johnson,

Congratulations on your victory in the London Mayoral election, one in which cycling was a major issue as never before. We would like to wish you the very best in meeting the many challenges London faces over the next four years.

Please allow us to also reiterate our immense appreciation for your public pre-election commitments to appoint a cycling commissioner, put a cycling representative on the London Roads Task Force, and meet the three key tests of LCC’s Love London, Go Dutch campaign.

We also look forward to working with your Sentencing Unit to assist you in making representations to the Ministry of Justice to strengthen the criminal justice procedures and sentencing guidelines that deal with cyclist deaths and serious injuries. 

We stand ready to help in the delivery of these very important commitments and in particular would greatly welcome a meeting with you to discuss their implementation. We do hope you will be able to look positively on this request given your undoubtedly hectic schedule as you begin the next mayoralty.

Dr Ashok Sinha, Chief Executive, London Cycling Campaign
Martin Gibbs, Policy & Legal Affairs Director, British Cycling

A herd of zebras, a boatful of sailors in oilskins, a pack of bandits on bikes, along with hundreds of families and children waving flags and balloons helped make the 10,000-strong Big Ride a spectacular success, sending a powerful message to the capital’s and the country’s politicians.

The massive crowd, representing every age and background, braved at-times atrocious weather to be part of the UK’s largest-ever bike ride supporting safer streets for cycling, organised by the London Cycling Campaign. 

Chief executive Ashok Sinha, riding with his partner Lucy and their children, said: “The Big Ride has been a spectacular success: we’re incredibly grateful to the thousands who braved the very British weather, and showed our politicians the amount of passion there is for safer cycling in the capital and beyond.

“An extra special thanks must go to the hundreds of volunteers, without whom we couldn’t have made the Big Ride happen.

“The five main mayoral candidates have all put their names to our Love London, Go Dutch campaign, so now it’s time to see action and funding that match the aspirations of London’s voters.”

Participants on the ride hailed from all corners of Greater London, with hundreds arriving on the 40 guided rides, and groups coming from as far afield as Bristol, Cambridge and even Copenhagen.

At one point the ride, taking place on traffic-free streets, stretched from the north end of Park Lane all the way to Piccadilly Circus, with more still arriving.

Jamie Crick from Classic FM, Jenny Kerrigan from Resonance FM, and Mark Ames from iBikeLondon entertained the crowd, as thousands gathered on Park Lane.

At the start line, politicians from all the main political parties were presented with the 37,000-name Love London, Go Dutch petition, calling for streets that are safe and inviting for cycling.

Journalists from the BBC, ITN, Sky News, Dutch and Chinese TV, along with The Times and The Guardian newspapers (to name a few), saw the 10,000 riders set off to a huge cheer, despite the drizzly conditions.

Persistent rain couldn’t dampen spirits as cyclists passed cheering crowds at Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square, with the ride ending on the Embankment.

A crew of St John’s paramedic cyclists were in attendance, along with two fully equipped ambulances, but there wasn’t a single serious injury reported, despite the sometimes slippery conditions.

The London Cycling Campaign thanks the hundreds of volunteers who helped marshal the event with officers from the Metropolitan Police Cycle Task force, and the ride stopped regularly to allow pedestrians to cross the road.

LCC’s Mike Cavenett said, “The feedback from Twitter after the ride has been amazingly positive, though the general feeling seems to be that people are glad to be back home in the warmth after braving the conditions, which were more Glastonbury than the Algarve.”

Everyone who took part in the ride is reminded they can donate to the London Cycling Campaign by texting ‘LLGD12 £10’ (or another amount under £10) to the number 70070 via their mobile.

The London Cycling Campaign is a charity, whose work is funded by our members, donations and supporters.

Thanks to Brompton, the main supporter of our Love London, Go Dutch campaign, and the Dutch National Embassy and Bywaters, without whom the Big Ride could not have taken place.

Early reports from the Pedal on Parliament in Edinburgh are of an excellent turnout, with over 1000 people meeting on the Meadows to ride to the Scottish Parliament calling for better conditions for cycling.

Photos by Ben Broomfield and James Perrin

Boris Johnson has joined the other four main mayoral candidates in promising a Dutch-style cycling revolution in London.

After intensive lobbying from the London Cycling Campaign, Johnson today promised, “I am fully committed to meeting the three key tests of LCC’s ‘Love London, Go Dutch’ campaign,” which are to be completed during his next mayoralty.

LCC chief executive Ashok Sinha said, “We’re delighted to give Boris Johnson an ‘A-grade’ for his promise to learn from the successful Dutch model to make London’s streets as safe and inviting for cycling as they are in Holland.

“We now have a commitment to a Dutch-style cycling revolution from all the main candidates, with the promise of immediate action in the next mayoralty.”

“Johnson must still do a lot more to catch up with the other candidates in other areas of cycling policy, but it’s fantastic news that he has responded to Londoners by improving his cycling commitments.”

On Saturday 28 April thousands of Londoners will join the Love London, Go Dutch Big Ride, the biggest event supporting safer streets for cycling ever seen in the UK

The Big Ride will be a huge, colourful celebration of this success for our Love London, Go Dutch campaign, but also a massive signal to the candidates that Londoners will hold whoever is elected to their promises to introduce Dutch-style cycling provision to London.

The three Love London, Go Dutch demands to which the candidates have agreed are:

1. Implement three flagship Love London, Go Dutch developments on major streets and/or locations. 
2. Make sure all planned developments on the main roads that they controls are completed to Go Dutch standards, especially junctions. 
3. Make sure the Cycle Superhighways programme is completed to Love London, Go Dutch standards.

Green candidate Jenny Jones gave her full commitment to the 'Go Dutch' campaign at the launch in February.

Labour's Ken Livingstone said: “I'm fully committed to meeting the Love London, Go Dutch three tests over the next mayoralty, and I look forward to working with the London Cycling Campaign and its members to deliver this if Londoners choose to elect me as their Mayor on 3 May."

Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick said, "London Liberal Democrats and I are fully committed to meeting the LCC’s Love London, Go Dutch campaign three tests."

Independent Siobhan Benita said, “Siobhan Benita is fully committed to meeting the three tests of LCC’s Love London, Go Dutch campaign over the course of the next mayoralty.

From 10.30am on Saturday 28 April 2012, freelance journalist Laura Laker will be blogging exclusively for the London Cycling Campaign, live from the Big Ride.

Please email her your thoughts on the ride, photos and videos, and ideas to make London's streets more safe and fun for cyclists:

laura@lcc.org.uk

Coming soon...

Leading mayoral challenger Ken Livingstone has opened a massive gulf between his and Boris Johnson's cycling promises by committing to make London's streets safer for cycling with Dutch-quality facilities.

The Labour candidate joins Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick and Green Jenny Jones in accepting all three of the London Cycling Campaign's stringent 'Go Dutch' campaign demands to make streets as safe and inviting for cycling as they are in Holland.

Boris Johnson sits with independent Siobhan Benita and the UKIP and BNP candidates in not supporting the three Go Dutch demands, which were published in February 2012.

LCC chief executive Ashok Sinha said, "We're delighted one of the leading mayoral challengers has earned an 'A-grade' for his commitment to Dutch-standard cycling provision, but we're disappointed Boris Johnson is still at the bottom of the class because his promises to cyclists remain so weak.

"We know he supports cycling, and call on him to match those candidates committing to a Dutch-style cycling revolution."

Livingstone said, "I'm fully committed to meeting the Love London, Go Dutch three tests over the next mayoralty, and I look forward to working with the London Cycling Campaign and its members to deliver this if Londoners choose to elect me as their Mayor on 3 May."

Paddick said, "The London Liberal Democrats and I are fully committed to meeting the LCC’s Love London, Go Dutch campaign three tests."

Nearly 40,000 have signed LCC's Love London, Go Dutch petition, calling for streets that are as safe and inviting as those in Hollands, a figure equivalent to 2% of the two million Londoners who voted in the 2008 mayoral election.

Recent opinion polls show Livingstone within 2% of Johnson in the race to be London's next mayor.

LCC has undertaken a policy-by-policy analysis of all the mayoral candidates' promises for cycling.

Livingstone, Paddick and Jones have now accepted the following three Love London Go Dutch demands:

1. Implement three flagship Love London, Go Dutch developments on major streets and/or locations.
2. Make sure all planned developments on the main roads that they controls are complete to Go Dutch standards, especially junctions.
3. Make sure the Cycle Superhighways programme is completed to Love London, Go Dutch standards.

Find out more about our Love London, Go Dutch campaign.

The London Cycling Campaign has written to Addison Lee chairman John Griffin to make him aware of a study by the independent Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) that shows that bad driving is the major cause of crashes involving adult cyclists.

Griffin, head of London's largest minicab firm, has made it clear he thinks cyclists are chiefly at fault in collisions, calling for them to have compulsory training and insurance.

However, the 2009 TRL report, 'Collisions involving pedal cyclists on Britain's roads: establishing the causes' (download it for free), contradicts Griffin's view, finding that the most common reason for crashes involving a cyclist was that the driver "failed to look properly" (p36).

The report publishes data showing the percentage of crashes in which the police concluded the cyclist or motorist was at fault, or whether they were jointly reponsible.

Among crashes involving children, the fault is most likely to be that of the young cyclist, but for those involving adults, the fault is most likely to be entirely that of the driver.

In crashes where a cyclist over 25 sustained minor injuries (the largest proportion of collision), the motorist was entirely at fault in between 67% and 75% of incidents (p33).

When a cyclist over 25 sustained serious injuries, the motorist was entirely at fault in between 64% and 70% of incidents (p33).

In instances when a cyclist over 25 died in a crash, the motorist was deemed entirely at fault in between 48% and 66% of incidents (p33).

NOTE: The figures for faults in fatal and serious crashes are likely to underestimate the number attributable to drivers because the cyclist's ability to give evidence is often affected by the crash.

Overall, the report shows conclusively that, among adults, bad driving causes crashes to a much greater than poor cycling.

Therefore, solutions for reducing cyclist deaths and injuries should prioritise stricter law enforcement against motorists and tougher penalties for those that put vulnerable road users in danger.

We're urging all Londoners to join the Big Ride on 28 April, when thousands will take to the streets in support of safer cycling.

www.lcc.org.uk/big-ride

London’s largest private hire firm, Addison Lee, has been in the news for the wrong reasons already this week for urging its 3500 drivers to drive illegally in bus lanes, to the detriment of cyclist safety.

Now, its chairman John Griffin has published a deeply unpleasant and ill-informed column in the firm’s corporate magazine, Add Lib, which appears to say it’s acceptable to run over people on bikes because they’re probably a "beginner cyclists".

There are strong concerns the article will create anti-cyclist sentiment among the firm's drivers, putting lives at risk.

It’s not always clear precisely what Griffin means in his article (read it youself above), because its poorly written as well as containing numerous factual errors, but the tone is clear: my drivers and I are safe in our metal boxes; vulnerable people like cyclists don’t deserve to be on our roads; and if cyclists get hurt it’s their own fault.

Addison Lee already has a very poor reputation among cyclists, with its drivers being frequently accused of inconsiderate or dangerous behaviour on the road.

Now it appears from the article that Griffin is prepared to deliberately infest his whole company with anti-cyclist sentiment, putting the lives of Londoners at greater risk.

It’s hard to see how the government departments and corporate clients that currently use Addison Lee services can continue to do so without appearing to condone the chairman’s complete disregard for cyclist safety.

We strongly urges all cyclists working in companies that use Addison Lee to urge them to only hire private hire car firms that show a reponsible attitude towards cyclist safety.

For the record:

• The chairman makes no demands or requests on its drivers to act responsibly by giving vulnerable road users adequate space (as required by the Highway Code), and suggests that any cyclist swerving to avoid a pothole or drain must be a beginner and is apparently deserving of being run over, even if it’s a “granny”.
• It fails to acknowledge that urban congestion is caused by motor vehicles and alleviated by bicycles.
• It suggests that cyclists currently have no right to be on the road, and won’t be deserving of such a right until they pay for the privilege.
• It implies the existence of ‘road tax’, which was abolished in the 1930s, replaced by Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) , which is now based on emissions. Bicycles are zero-rated for VED, as are many low-emissions cars. It's incredible that the chairman of a private hire company would fail to understand tax law, unless he's being deliberately misleading.
• He suggests that riding a bike is characterised by "Green party" politics, even though all the main mayoral candidates have featured cycling prominently in their manifestos, and cyclists are known to come from all a broad spectrum of political and social backgrounds.

As Danny on the Cyclist in the City blog reminds us, it is unspeakably awful for John Griffin to print an article like this in the same week that Debbie Dorling is dealing with the pain of spending her 25th wedding anniversary without her beloved husband, killed last year for no better reason than wanting to ride to work on his bike.

A peaceful protest has been organised by concerned cyclists on Facebook, to take place outside the head office of Addison Lee on Monday 23 April at 6pm.

Cyclists are being warned to take extra care on the roads after the chairman of private hire company Addison Lee told thousands of his drivers that it's lawful for them to use London's bus lanes, when in fact it remains illegal.

There are widespread fears that, as well as presenting an increased risk to cyclists, this action will also delay hundreds of thousands of bus passengers if bus lanes are filled with private hire vehicles.

Addison Lee chairman John Griffin wrote to thousands of his drivers (see letter above) over the weekend, telling them he would reimburse them for fines incurred for driving in bus lanes.

Transport for London responded swiftly saying any private hire drivers using bus lanes are likely to face personal criminal prosecution.

This response from TfL compares favourably with the last time hundreds of Addison Lee drivers flouted the law in 2010 when the Crown Prosecution Service decided to abandon 216 court summonses and 130 penalty fares given to the firm's drivers for illegally driving in the M4 bus lane.

The Coalition Government removed the M4 bus lane to show support for motorists, even though there arguments that the measure was just as likely to increase motorist journey times. 

LCC's Mike Cavenett said, "It's a measure of the poor quality of cycling provision in the capital that many cyclists see the bus lane network as a safe haven, even though it's shared with buses, black taxis and motorcycles.

"Adding tens of thousands of extra motor vehicles to bus lanes will severely disadvantage bus passengers and cyclists.

"We urge Transport for London to look at the City of London, where both black taxis and private hire vehicles are banned from bus lanes, and to repeal its harmful motorbikes in bus lanes measure."

Safe cycling in bus lanes is also under threat from Transport for London plans to allow large lorries in a bus lane on Church Road, Northolt (A312).

Lorries are currently only allowed in a tiny number of bus lanes in Greater London, including Nine Elms Lane in Wandsworth, and the A23 in Coulsdon.

LCC's lorry expert Charlie Lloyd said, "Sadly, cycling in this part of the 'biking borough' of Ealing is already extremely difficult with few safe or inviting routes.

"Allowing HGVs on any bus lane is likely to discourage even more people from making local journeys by bicycle."

In an unexpected turn of events, motoring journalist and News International columnist Jeremy Clarkson has inadvertently put his weight behind our Love London, Go Dutch campaign by heaping praise on continental cycling culture, including physical separation of bikes and motor vehicles.

Love London, Go Dutch is calling for Dutch-style cycling provision in the capital, including segregated bike lanes on main roads (please sign the petition).

Writing in The Sunday Times on 8 April 2012, Clarkson praises Danish capital Copenhagen as a “fan-bleeding-tastic” city where “best of all: there are no bloody cars cluttering the place up. Almost everyone goes almost everywhere on a bicycle”.

Recognising the importance of segregation of motor and cycling traffic, he writes: “I know that sounds like the ninth circle of hell, but that’s because you live in Britain, where cars and bikes share the road space. This cannot and does not work. It’s like putting a dog and a cat in a cage and expecting them to get along.”

Despite this praise for cycling, Clarkson errs in forgetting that in the UK many of the same people that drive also cycle, and that in Copenhagen there are many shared-use streets where road users coexist comfortably.

Another mistake he makes is to assume urban planners must choose between cars or bikes: “City fathers have to choose: cars or bicycles. And in Copenhagen they’ve gone for the bike.”

As anyone who’s visited Copenhagen (or Amsterdam) knows, these cities are most certainly not devoid of motor traffic; it's simply that planners do much more to encourage cycling.

Nevertheless, despite occasionally returning to bad habits, it’s still something for Clarkson to write that he’s jealous of a city “that works”, saying of Copenhagen: “It’s pleasing to look at. It’s astonishingly quiet. It’s safe. And no one wastes half their life looking for a parking space. I’d live there in a heartbeat.”

Yes, his column contains misunderstandings, but he appears to have grasped the important point that removing conflicts between road users – for example, by allocating road space to cycling – is a significant step towards creating harmony in urban transport.

We’ve invited him to join the Big Ride on 28 April 2012.

We're hopeful he and his family will join our ride calling for a safer and more people-friendly city... just like Copenhagen.

LCC's Tom Bogdanowicz put the key cycling question to the mayoral candidates at the Evening Standard's mayoral hustings at the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, London last night (11 April 2012).

He asked if the candidates were prepared to introduce continental-standard cycling provision in London on the Cycle Superhighways and Transport for London roads.

His question also mentioned the nearly 30,000 signatures on our Love London, Go Dutch petition (video: 25mins 6s).

There was extensive coverage of the debate on Twitter (#mayordebate) and in the Evening Standard, as well as on BBC's 10 O'Clock London News which ran the cycling answers at length.

Chief news reporter Ross Lydall of the Evening Standard tweeted our question as did Caroline Russell of Islington Living Streets.

• Jenny Jones said she has signed our petition, and will extend Go Dutch principles to both TfL and borough roads.
• Boris Johnson said he wants safety, but it can't be done without investment. He said Ken Livingstone would cut the transport budget.
• Livingstone said Johnson scrapped priority for pedestrian cyclists safety in favour of traffic flow  quoteing mayoral adviser  Kulveer Ranger on Bow roundabout as saying "the Mayor’s priority is traffic flow". He said he'll put Jones on the TfL board to deal with cycling.
• Jones said if she does get the job she wants "millions and millions" for cycling.
• Johnson said he is a militant cyclist but cyclists must obey the rules or risk 2losing the natural sympathy that cycluists deserve"
• Brian Paddick reminded Boris of video showing him riding through red lights (Johnson said it was 'before I was Mayor').
• Paddick also said LCC came up with reasonable solutions for junctions such as Blackfriars and Kings Cross, but TfL said it would slow traffic flow. He said, "The mayor’s current priority of speeding traffic flows is killing people" and that 'we have to make the roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.'

Representatives of the Dutch National Embassy attended the debate and complimented LCC on the work we're doing promoting Dutch cycling culture in London.

Leaflets promoting the Big Ride were distributed to enthusiastic Londoners outside the event, and several hundred petition signatures were gathered.

A London Cycling Campaign member was victim of a hit-and-run crash this morning (10 April 2012) in East London, and is appealing for witnesses.

The collision took place at the junction of Campbell Road and Bow Road (E3) where the cyclist was allegedly struck by a silver Daewoo Lanos SX, causing damage to his bike but fortunately no injuries (see photos above and below).

Michael Duff said, "The driver of the car got out, asked me if I was okay, but when I told him we needed to exchange details and I showed him my buckled front wheel, he said, "Oh no, no way!" and got back in his car and sped off." 

Mr Duff managed to photograph the car before reporting the incident to police, submitting the photos taken at the scene

However, Mr Duff has no witness details, so if you saw the incident, please contact info@lcc.org.uk and we'll pass on your details to him.

In a separate incident last month, a 17-year-old in Deptford was killed after being struck by a car that failed to stop at the scene. In this instance, the driver subsequently handed himself in to police.

 Do the cycling manifestos satisfy our three 'Go Dutch' demands?

We've scored each of the candidates according to their manifesto commitments on cycling. Read the results below...

You can also read a summary of their performance here

You can download the cycling manifestos here

Our ‘Love London, Go Dutch’ includes three core demands for the next mayor to complete during their first term to start the process of transforming London into a city that gives all people the choice to cycle. We sent these demands to the four main candidates on the 9 February, the day the campaign was officially launched.

(i) ‘Go Dutch’ Demand 1: Create three flagship developments on major streets or locations in London to encourage cycling and walking

JOHNSON (1/10)

•  There’s no manifesto commitment to create flagship walking and cycling locations or streets in Greater London. There is a commitment to invest in the road network (£450 million), with the emphasis on “congestion busting” (p29-30) and “easing congestion” (p30). However, Henlys Corner, the flagship example used twice in the manifesto (p30 & p35), has been heavily criticised by local cycle campaigners for doing nothing to improve cyclist safety.

•  Perhaps the closest to a flagship development is Johnson saying he’ll “investigate the potential for an East-West cycle superhighway” (p36). There is no promise to deliver.

• There’s support for more “shared space” schemes (p32) like Exhibition Road. There is no promise as to how many or what type might be implemented.

JONES (10/10)

• Jones has committed to creating one flagship development in London every year of a first mayoralty, “starting with Parliament Square” (Pledge 8).

LIVINGTONE (1/10)

• Livingstone commits to “an uninterrupted pedestrian network in central London, that links up the many already pedestrianised areas along the Thames, Trafalgar Square, Soho and Covent Garden, so that people can walk in a safe and pleasant environment from the South Bank to Oxford Street” (TranMan, p17). While this shows welcome support for sustainable travel, it is not a commitment to a flagship cycling facility.

PADDICK (0/10)

• His manifesto extract makes no mention of flagship cycling and walking projects.

(ii) ‘Go Dutch’ Demand 2: Ensure all future redevelopments of junctions and main roads are to ‘Go Dutch’ standards 

JOHNSON (3/10)

•  His manifesto says he has already initiated a review of 500 junctions in London “to make cycling safer” (p35). It doesn’t say how many junctions will be treated, when, or to what standard. There’s no mention in the manifesto of ‘Go Dutch’-standard solutions.

• He promises £50 million to a Roads Blackspot Fund. This money is prioritised toward “those roads which cause the worst delays” (p30). One of the stated aims is “improving conditions for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists” (p30). 

JONES (9/10)

•  Jones says she will “rebuild” London’s most dangerous junctions to provide “safe, dedicated space for cyclists” (Pledge 7).
  
•  She says she’s committed to “removing all gyratory systems” (Pledge 7) and we should “prioritise improvements to the road network, so an extra 100,000 children and parents cycle to school” (Pledge 10).
  
• She says she will “only build new roads and river crossings for public transport, cycling and walking” (Pledge 1).

• She says she will change Transport for London’s “planning tools so pedestrians and cyclists are treated as more important than cars” (Pledge 4) and will put a walking and cycling representative on the TfL board (Pledge 3).

LIVINGTONE (7/10)

•  He says he “will support the London Cycling Campaign’s Go Dutch approach” (Transport Manifesto, p15).He commits to “work closely with the cycling groups and local authorities in the review and redesign of the most dangerous junctions to better meet the needs of all roads users, not just the few.” (Cycling Manifesto, p4).

• On main roads he says “a consistent set of holistic treatments will be applied throughout the entire length (including signing and lining, segregation from traffic where this is possible)” (Cycling Manifesto, p6). He also says a “consistent cycle network” should have “common high standards of cycle lanes” (Transport Manifesto, p15).

PADDICK (6/10)

•  He says he will “immediately review all major junctions and roundabouts to improve safety, including giving cyclists priority at junctions” (Extract p1).
  
• He says he will “where practicable, separate and protect cyclists from other road users, with other traffic calming measures where not practicable (such as narrow or crowded streets)” (Extract, p1).

(iii) ‘Go Dutch’ Demand 3: Complete the Superhighways to ‘Go Dutch’ standards

JOHNSON (3/10)

• Johnson has committed to building eight more Superhighways (p36), but there’s no mention of Dutch-style infrastructure.

• As part of the junction review he’s committed to reviewing safety of all Superhighways junctions (p35). There is no promise as to what standard of changes might be made.

JONES (10/10)

• She says she will adopt “Dutch street design principles for Cycle Superhighways and the London Cycle Network+ to provide clear, dedicated and safe space to cyclists on main roads” (Pledge 6).

LIVINGSTONE (6/10)

• He says construction of Superhighways “will be put on hold” until “significant problems have been sorted” (Cycling Manifesto, p8).
  
• He says he will “address the major junctions such as Elephant and Castle to provide a safe and direct passage for cyclists” (Cycling Manifesto, p8).
  
  
• He says he’ll implement “mandatory cycle lanes along as much of the [Superhighway] route as possible”, along with “physical segregation such as studs and rumble strips to deter vehicles from encroaching onto cycle lanes” (Cycling Manifesto, p9).

• He promises to “trial a cyclists-only green traffic light phase at key junctions” (Cycling Manifesto, p3), as well as trials of a Danish-style ‘Green Wave’ to allow cyclists clear passage through multiple traffic lights (Cycling Manifesto, p9).

PADDICK (1/10)

• He doesn’t directly mention Superhighways or make specific pledges regarding them.
  
• He makes indirect reference to Superhighways, saying “simply painting more blue lines [sic] on a few major roads is not the answer – a further step-change in the scale of cycling in London will ultimately require more effective segregation for safety, as the Dutch have found” (Extract, p1).

How do policies compare on road danger reduction?

(i) Reducing motor traffic

JOHNSON (0/10)

• Continuing his ‘smoothing the flow’ approach, his “congestion busting plan” will tackle congestion using measures that prioritise motor traffic over sustainable transport, rather than incentivising cycling and walking. (p29)

• He commits to a third Blackwall tunnel at Silvertown (p33), which will encourage motor journeys in East London, increasing local congestion and worsening conditions for cycling.

JONES (7/10)

• She says she will “only build new roads and river crossings for public transport, cycling and walking” (Pledge 1)

• She says she will change Transport for London planning tools so that “pedestrians and cyclists are treated as more important than cars” (Pledge 4).

LIVINGSTONE (2/10)

• He promises a range of measures to tackle congestion, which he says is caused by “roadworks and traffic collisions” (Transport Manifesto, p13).

• He says he will encourage car clubs, which reduce car ownership and use, improving conditions for cycling.

PADDICK (0/10)

• He doesn’t mention controlling motor traffic.

(ii) Reducing lorry danger

JOHNSON (5/10)

• His manifesto commits to backing some but not all of our lorry danger demands.

• He says he’ll continue with current commitments that include “working with the London Criminal Justice Board to strengthen criminal justice procedures for dealing with cyclist deaths and serious injuries”; “working with the industry to avoid deliveries at peak times, especially on roads with high cycle flows”; awareness campaigns; distributing “safety mirrors”; Trixi mirrors at junctions (p36).

JONES (6/10)

• Her pledges are consistent with meeting many of our lorry danger reduction demands.

• She says she would “ban HGVs from narrow main roads, and push for all HGV drivers in London to be required to register with FORS [a quality standard for lorry operators] or equivalent and undergo cycle awareness training” (Pledge 12), and “for more freight and waste to be shipped on the rivers and canals” (Pledge 2).

LIVINGSTONE (7/10)

• He says he supports all of our lorry danger reduction demands: on-bike HGV driver training; increased driver responsibility; safer lorry design; better freight management; responsible procurement (Cycling Manifesto, pp4-5).

• His commitments do not cover all the demands, but include supporting on-bike lorry driver training; opposing longer lorries; responsible procurement by London-wide authorities; cracking down on rogue operators.

PADDICK (1/10)

• He calls for “Trixi mirrors at road junctions to help drivers of large vehicles see cyclists” (p1).

(iii) Legal enforcement to protect cyclists and pedestrians

JOHNSON (4/10)

• He says he’ll work with the “London Criminal Justice Board to strengthen criminal justice procedures for dealing with cyclist deaths and serious injuries” (p36).

JONES (9/10)

• She says she will “improve enforcement of the rules of the road with safety cameras, an increase in the traffic police budget and a crackdown on uninsured drivers. Require Safer Neighbourhood Teams to work with local cycling and pedestrian groups to enforce speed limits and take action against dangerous driving, cycling and walking” (Pledge 16).

• She says she “would also like to see cyclists giving precedence to pedestrians, not jumping red lights, and obeying the law” (Pledge 16).

LIVINGSTONE (7/10)

• He will “work with the Met and the freight industry to crack down on dangerous driving and unsuitable vehicles” (Cycling Manifesto, p3).

PADDICK (2/10)

• He says he will enforce penalties against “those few cyclists” who break the law by going through red lights and cycling on pavements (Extract, p1).

(iv) 20mph speed limits

JOHNSON (0/10)

• He doesn’t mention 20mph or lower speed limits.

JONES (10/10)

• She will introduce 20mph “on all streets where we live, work and shop”, including speed limiters on all public service vehicles” and to “reduce rat-running through residential areas” and “let parents and their children reclaim quiet residential streets as public space for play” (Pledge 5).
  

LIVINGSTONE (5/10)

• He says he will “support boroughs who want to make a 20mph speed limit to be the norm in residential areas”. There is no commitment to make 20mph the norm on Transport for London roads.
• On central London Thames bridges he says he “will review the speed limits on the Thames Bridges with a view to reducing the speed limit to 20mph where safety benefits can be demonstrated.”

PADDICK (0/10)

• He doesn’t mention 20mph or speed limits.

Cycling networks, cycle hire & parking/theft

(i) London-wide cycling networks

JOHNSON (0/10)

• He doesn’t say anything about cycle networks beyond 12 Superhighways and an east-west route.

JONES (8/10)

• She says she will “adopt the Dutch street design principles for Cycle Superhighways and the London Cycle Network+ to provide clear, dedicated and safe space to cyclists on main roads” and “increase funding to complete these projects and the London Greenways” (Pledge 6).

• There’s no specific policy on outer London town centres.

LIVINGSTONE (6/10)

• He says he will “revamp London’s cycle lanes network and make it a consistent, and easy to navigate network”. He says he will allocate £10 million for Greenways and will work with the boroughs to develop cycle access to outer London town centres and transport interchanges (p6-8).

• He supports other measures such as making many more one-way streets two-way for cyclists (p7).

PADDICK (0/10)

• He doesn’t mention cycling networks

(ii) Cycle Hire

JOHNSON (6/10)

• He says he will “expand cycle hire to West and East” and he will “explore” expanding it further to outer London (p36), without making a commitment to delivery.

JONES (8/10)

• She says she will “expand the cycle hire scheme north and south to reach all parts of inner London” (Pledge 9), but without no mention of outer London.

LIVINGSTONE (3/10)

• He says he will review the contract ahead of any expansion, citing “rip-off costs” to the public purse, and is planning a review to make it appeal to a wider range of Londoners. There is no commitment to expand, even though he says he wants to extend it to south London.

• He says he will expand the Freedom Pass to cover free cycle hire membership for older Londoners.

PADDICK (7/10)

• He will “expand to south London and further into north London”
  
• He says he will introduce a “one-swipe” facility for casual users.
  
• He says he will “require the contractor to improve overall service levels including the distribution of bikes or face tough penalties”

(iii) Cycle parking & theft

JOHNSON (1/10)

•  He calls for “high-quality cycle parking facilities to promote cycling as a means of access to stations” (p24), but makes no commitments.
  

JONES (4/10)

• She will “encourage boroughs to use on-street car parking spaces to provide cycle parking in areas where people lack secure cycle parking” (Pledge 11).

• Says she’ll expand police measures across London “to disrupt the cycle theft gangs” (Pledge 11).
  

LIVINGSTONE (6/10)

• He says he’ll look at mayoral planning powers to force new developments to include more parking (Cycling Manifesto, p10), and commits to providing sufficient cycle parking along cycle networks.
  
• He says he will be calling for creation of Dutch-style cycle parking hubs at train stations, including regular parking reviews at tube and rail stations, but doesn’t commit funding.

• He says he “will provide a web-based tool for users to identify the bike racks that are full in their area and suggest new racks and new locations for racks” (Cycling Manifesto, p11).
  

PADDICK (0/10)

• He doesn’t mention cycle parking or theft.

Executive summary

According to the mayoral candidates’ manifesto promises, the Green Party’s Jenny Jones would do the most to promote cycling, by a clear margin, followed by Labour’s Ken Livingstone.

Jones says she will put cyclists first. Livingstone’s cycling policies are encouraging in many ways, but they don’t prioritise cycling and walking over motor traffic.

The Conservative’s Boris Johnson disappoints with weak commitments other than on Cycle Hire, and is alone in not drawing inspiration from the Netherlands, and other successful cycling nations, where they have the highest standards of cycling provision.

In fourth place, Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick declares welcome intentions to promote cycling, but offers few policies to show that he would be a cycle-friendly mayor.

None of the candidates’ manifestos makes concrete commitments in terms of funding for cycling provision, nor do they set targets for increasing the proportion of journeys by bike.

There is still time for all of the candidates to improve on their policies before the election, to meet the ambition and exacting standards set by our Love London, Go Dutch campaign.

What manifestos have been published?

Boris Johnson

His Investing in Transport manifesto contains 40 pages, with 1.5 pages (pp35-36) dedicated to cycling, along with brief mentions in other sections like the one covering the road network. DOWNLOAD

 Ken Livingstone

His 20-page Transport Manifesto has 2 pages (Transport Manifesto, pp14-15) dedicated to cycling. He’s also published the more wide-reaching 11-page Cycling Manifesto.

 Jenny Jones

We’ve been sent a 2-page list of pledges to improve conditions for cycling. The full Green Party manifesto is expected to be published on 12 April 2012.

Brian Paddick

We’ve been sent a 2-page extract covering cycling from the Liberal Democrat manifesto. The complete Liberal Democrat manifesto is expected to be published on 10 April 2012.

Summary of how cycling policies compare

(i) Measured against our three ‘Go Dutch’ demands

First, we judged the candidates’ promises in relation to our Love London, Go Dutch campaign, which calls on each candidate to pledge to make London more liveable for everyone by making our streets as safe and inviting for cycling as they are in Holland. We’re looking for evidence they meet our three policy demands:

1.  Create three flagship developments on major streets or locations in London to encourage cycling and walking.

2.  Ensure all future redevelopments of junctions and main roads are to ‘Go Dutch’ standards.

3.  Complete the Cycling Superhighways to ‘Go Dutch’ standards.

The Green Party candidate Jenny Jones scores highest, with 29 marks out of 30 (with a potential 10 points for each test).

Of the two likely election winners, challenger (and former mayor) Ken Livingstone is next placed with 14 out of 30. Livingstone’s middling score is largely due to a very weak commitment to flagship projects (which we believe are necessary to showcase a new approach to design in London and develop best practice), in contrast with his willingness to promise wide-ranging action to tackle cycle safety on junctions and main roads, as well as the superhighways (scoring 7/10 and 6/10 respectively).

The incumbent candidate, Conservative Boris Johnson, scores a poor 7 points, failing to recognise the importance of applying the highest international standards to cycling facilities despite having identified the necessity of addressing safety through his review of major junctions. Johnson’s score of 7 out of 30 is disappointing given that he says he is committed to “London being the most cycle-friendly city in the world” (p36).

He is the only one of the four leading candidates not to voice support for LCC’s Go Dutch approach.

Although LibDem candidate Brian Paddick voices a desire to see a stronger approach to improving cycle safety, he also scores a mere 7 out of 30, reflecting a lack of breadth or specific commitments to our three ‘Go Dutch’ demands.

Summary of scores: LCC’s Go Dutch demands

Candidate

Three flagship developments (10)

Go Dutch standards on all planned road redevelopments (10)

Go Dutch Cycle Superhighways (10)

TOTAL SCORE (30)

JOHNSON

1

3

3

7

JONES

10

9

10

29

LIVINGSTONE

1

7

6

14

PADDICK

0

6

1

7

(ii) Road danger reduction policies

Second, we tested the candidates’ policies for effectiveness in reducing road danger. Jones once more outscores the rest of the field with 32 marks out of a possible 40 (10 awarded in four sub-categories).

She demonstrably understands that reducing motor traffic volume and speed is an essential tool for increasing cycling and walking safety levels (and hence raising cycling’s modal share) and to her credit she would be willing to redirect TfL’s priorities accordingly if elected.

She similarly promises to meet many of our specific demands for reducing danger from lorries, as well as committing to much better legal enforcement among all road users in London.

Once again in second place, but with another middling score of 21 out 40 is Livingstone. While he’s strong on addressing lorry danger and tackling poor road behaviour, he is not making firm commitments to reduce motor traffic, with lukewarm promises of action on 20mph.

Johnson again leaves campaigners disappointed with only 9 marks out of 40. Of most concern is the priority he continues to give to motor traffic as a general policy theme, contradicting his commitment to improving conditions for vulnerable roads users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

As a result there is every chance his policies would increase the amount of motor traffic in London’s streets (even accounting for his pro-cycling policies), worsening safety for cyclists, and choking the huge latent demand there is for cycling.

Paddick, once more, does little to inspire confidence with minimal commitments in his manifesto extract on road danger reduction issues, and score only 3.

Summary of scores: Road Danger Reduction

Candidate

Reducing Motor Traffic (10)

Reducing Lorry Danger (10)

Legal Enforcement (10)

20 mph Speed Limits

TOTAL SCORE (30)

JOHNSON

0

5

4

0

9

JONES

7

6

9

10

32

LIVINGSTONE

2

7

7

5

21

PADDICK

0

1

2

0

3

(iii) Cycle networks, Cycle hire, and Parking/theft policies

The pecking order remains the same, albeit with all four candidates offering their weakest showing.

With 20 out of 30 possible marks (10 in each of three sub-categories) Jones is surprisingly limited in scope when it comes to specific measures to improve cycle parking and reduce theft but offers impressive commitments on London-wide cycle networks and extending Cycle Hire.

Like Jones, Livingstone laudably promises to make good the lack of attention given to cycle routes (if not matching Jones’ ambition) in sharp contrast to his lack of enthusiasm for extending Cycle Hire. He does, however, make concrete commitments to increasing cycle parking.

Johnson is relatively strong on extending Cycle Hire but gives no attention to cycle routes London-wide, which are of far more importance to the majority of Londoners, whom an extended hire scheme would not reach. On cycle parking, he only refers to the need to improve it at rail stations.

Finally, Paddick achieves his only high comparative score in relation to extending Cycle Hire but this is not enough to save him from another low rating overall.

Summary of scores: Cycle networks, Cycle hire, and Parking/theft

Candidate

London-wide cycling networks (10)

Extending Cycle Hire (10)

Increasing Parking/Reducing Theft (10)

TOTAL SCORE (30)

JOHNSON

0

6

1

7

JONES

8

8

4

20

LIVINGSTONE

6

3

6

15

PADDICK

0

7

0

7

More information

Read the policy-by-policy analysis of the scoring

Download the manifestos on cycling

Boris Johnson's and Brian Paddick's manifesto promises fail to meet the needs of cyclists, according to detailed analysis (see link below) of all the leading candidates’ manifestos by the London Cycling Campaign.

Johnson and Paddick's policies would not do enough to improve safety for existing cyclists or encourage many more new people to cycle, as all four candidates claim they want to do.

The Green Party’s Jenny Jones has by far the strongest manifesto for improving conditions for cycling, with Ken Livingstone in second place, considerably ahead of Johnson and Paddick.

LCC chief executive Ashok Sinha said, “Boris Johnson’s transport manifesto commitments to cycling are very weak, undermined by an emphasis on keeping motor traffic moving.

“Livingstone’s cycling policies are more encouraging in many ways, but there’s still a major concern that, like Johnson, he won’t prioritise cycling over motor traffic.

“Perhaps having Jenny Jones – who is by far the most impressive candidate for cycling policies – as Livingstone’s cycling advisor, as he has committed to doing, will change his approach?

“We want Londoners to join our Big Ride on 28 April to tell Johnson and Livingstone they must create safe and inviting space for cycling, prioritising cyclists as they do in Holland."

Johnson and Paddick are weakest of the four leading candidates when their policies are scored against LCC’s three Love London, Go Dutch campaign demands, which call for continental standards to be applied to future cycling provision.

Pleasingly, three out of the four candidates (the exception being Johnson) draw inspiration from ‘Dutch’ cycling solutions, and Livingstone says he’d adhere to the principles of LCC’s Love London, Go Dutch campaign when designing cycling facilities.

LCC’s conclusions are the results of an exhaustive line-by-line analysis of the four mayoral candidates’ transport and cycling manifestos, with the full details published below, along with the candidate manifestos.

None of their manifestos makes overall funding commitments for cycling provision, nor do they set targets for increasing the proportion of London journeys taken by bike.

Please sign the Love London, Go Dutch petition.

DOWNLOAD LCC's IN-DEPTH MAYORAL MANIFESTO ANALYSIS

Download Boris Johnson's Transport Manifesto

Download Jenny Jones' Cycling Pledges

Download Ken Livingstone's Transport Manifesto & Cycling Manifesto

Download Brian Paddick's Manifesto Extract on Cycling

After years of campaigning by local groups, including Wandsworth Cycling Campaign (WCC), an east-west walking and cycling link has been installed under Wandsworth Bridge.

The link provides valuable separation of cycling and walking traffic from a high-traffic roundabout, in accordance with Dutch principles of street design (please sign the petition calling for streets that are as safe and inviting as they are in Holland).

On 30 March 2012 members of WCC and Wandsworth Living Streets were present at the opening to try out the route and celebrate the removal of one of the last major blockages to the Thames Path in Wandsworth.

Local pedestrians and cyclists were quick to discover this new route, making use of the underpass to cross the northern arm of Wandsworth's York Road roundabout, avoiding the dangerous, noisy and polluted 1960s-legacy roundabout.

WCC campaigner Bob Broad said, "The new link will open up this part of London to cyclists in Wandsworth and beyond, encouraging them to explore London's fascinating riverside."

Susie Morrow, chair of Wandsworth Living Streets, said: "Much effort over many years from local sustainable transport campaigners has gone into pressing for this underpass, and it's gratifying to see it in place."

Local resident Janet said, "I both walk and cycle along the riverside in Wandsworth and this new connection is wonderful."

The new walking and cycling east-west link has been funded by St George
PLC, the developer of Battersea Reach, the 13-acre tract of formerly industrial land immediately east of Wandsworth Bridge on the south bank of the Thames.

The site to house a gin distillery, oil depot and warehouses, until the land was cleared in 1992 and lay derelict until 2002 when developers started construction.

In 1996, the site was subject to a
famous occupation by 'The Land Is Ours' group, creating the 'Pure Genius!' Eco Village Wandsworth.

Wandsworth Cycling Campaign and Wandsworth Living Streets will continue to work with property developers, such as St George PLC, as well as Wandsworth Council, to put improved provision for cycling and walking much higher up the agenda in Wandsworth.

PHOTOS Eric Ainsworth

It’s hard to believe that anyone could have designed, built or approved the latest cycle lane disasters at the new Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, East London (see photos above and below).

The shopping giant has already been embarrassed, not once, but twice by a flawed cycle track with concrete cobbles every 20 metres, and another sorry example with a car parking sign and a utility box in the middle of it.

The latter caused hoots of derision when a typically Westfield non-solution was installed a few weeks later (in case you missed it).

Instead of removing the previous disasters, the planners at Westfield have now installed another cycle track with both cobbles and a road sign in the middle, presumably to improve cyclists' slalom skills (see photo above).

London Assembly Member Andrew Boff told us that such poor cycle facilities were "an embarrassment". 

You can visit the new track at the end of Westfield Avenue, but you won’t be able to travel further because the road beyond is off limits to cyclists and pedestrians due to "increased security" around the Olympic Park.  

To add to the embarrassment, there's a new on-road cycle lane that’s just one metre wide in Warton Road (see photo below), which leads from Stratford High Street to the shopping centre, contravening all recommendations on width from in Department for Transport guidance and the London Cycling Design Standards.

You’d think that if the road builders could barely squeeze in the picture of a bicycle in the lane, they would might notice something is wrong with the design.

To compound cyclists' misery, this lane ends at a junction where walkers and cyclists using the cycle/pedestrian crossings can wait for as long as two minutes to turn right even though the road is near empty.

On the other side of Warton Road, you'll also find a cycle track that spews cyclists out straight into the path of passing traffic.

And don't forget the bike lane that stops in the middle of a roundabout.

It's extraordinary that the bike routes around Westfield can be this badly designed: this is supposed to be a flagship project that will form part of the ‘sustainable legacy’ of the Olympics.

We're calling on all the mayoral candidates to make London more liveable by making our streets as safe and inviting for cycling as those in Holland.

Please take a second to sign our petition to make it clear to the next mayor that cyclists won’t settle for such appalling facilites.

Our campaigns team has also written to Westfield's transport director highlighting the problems of the cycle routes and the lack of signage. 

Over 100 volunteers will be out on London's streets today and during the next three weeks collecting signatures for the Love London, Go Dutch petition and telling people about 28 April's Big Ride in support of safer streets for cycling. 

So far, after only a couple of days of street action, 5000 extra people have signed our petition, with volunteers collecting signatures in parks, around universities and in other central locations where Londoners have been enjoying the good weather.

The response to the petition on the streets has been spectacularly good, and it's no exaggeration to say that the vast majority of people have been keen to support it.

Yes, as soon as we ask Londoners if they'll support safer streets for cycling they instinctively agree, even if they don't cycle themselves, which is often the case.

22-year-old art student Sachia Milani said, "I live in Camberwell and want to cycle to college, but there are too many cars and I don't feel safe.

"If there were good bike lanes I would feel much more confident."

Pensioner George Waitwell from Camden said, "I ride my bike all over London, even though my wife thinks I'm crazy.

"When we travel overseas in places like France and Holland we often cycle together, but never at home.

"Things are better here now there are so many more cyclists, but much more needs to be done."

LCC's Mike Cavenett, "We were astounded by how many people have said they don't cycle, but want to, when signing the petition. 

"And those who do cycle all seem to agree that the streets don't feel safe enough."

"Londoners are also thrilled by the thought of continental-standard bike facilities in the capital... this is clearly the way forward." 

Please sign the petition

Young people in Deptford are devastated by the hit and run killing of a popular 17 year old cyclist, known locally as TJ.

Police are searching for the driver of a silver Audi car which hit the cyclist on Deptford Church street near Bonze st junction at around 5pm in Friday's rush hour.

The cyclist was taken to Kings College Hospital but he tragically died in the early evening.

According to reports in the local News Shopper website the car kept going, then turned back and stopped on the oppostie carriageway before driving away again. It was later found abandoned, not far away in Watergate street SE8.

Anyone who saw the crash or the car being abandoned should contact the Road Death Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 0208 285 1574 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Deptford Church street is a dual carriageway road used as a high speed rat run with a bad crash record.

A short, sharp message from Transport for London headlines their latest PR campaign warning about the danger of HGV lorries.

Thousands of handlebar leaflets are being put on bikes all over London and there will be posters re-enforcing the message.

The posters give a very quick warning to all cyclists. Beware of all lorries, staying behind is the safest option.

Being hit by a large lorry is thankfully rare but always serious and more likely to be fatal than any other crash. If there is a junction nearby, don't try to overtake as lorries turn quickly, cutting across your path.

Cycle sensibly and assertively to help yourself stay safe, especially at traffic lights and junctions.

• Recognise that lorry drivers may not be able to see you
• Never cycle up the left side of a lorry stopped at a junction 
• Look out for lorries turning left from beside or behind you
• Don't stop too close to the front of a stopped lorry and stay away from the lorry's front near side. If a lorry comes up behind you, move forward enough to ensure you are in the driver's field of vision 
• Take up a visible position at lights or advanced stop lines: three metres out in front and not by the left kerb or very close to the lorry
• Behind a lorry is often the safest place to be. When you need to overtake a large lorry, do so on the right-hand side, so that the driver can see you

TfL link to London Cycling Campaigns  special advice for staying out of the lorry risk zone.     They also link to our Safer Cycling Code and the See Me Save Me campaign for reducing lorry danger.

Transport for London are keen to point out that they are targeting lorry drivers. There are press campaigns in the truckers magazines as well as a webpage for drivers.

They will be running information events at channel ports and lorry service areas aimed at drivers heading for London. About half the lorries on London's roads come from outside London or abroad.

TfL's FORS freight team are promoting training for drivers - getting them out on bikes to experience the risks cyclists face everyday.

Extra effort is being put in to reach cyclists who feel overconfident, the assertive risk takers. These cyclists are more likely to be victims than the cautious new cyclist. Most commonly they are men under 35. TfL will be placing ads in the magazines they like to read.