Southwark Cyclists position on cycle paths/lanes:

Southwark Cyclists wants bicycling to be a safe and attractive transport option for everyone in Southwark.

We do not think this can be achieved unless more road space on the main roads is dedicated to cycling, especially at junctions.

Southwark Cyclists is therefore keen for wide, protected cycle lanes to be factored into the Council's Transport Plan wherever they are needed and appropriate to give cyclists safety and to give new cyclists, as well as people who want to start cycling, reassurance.

Southwark Cyclists fully supports the London Cycling Campaign’s call for safer cycling throughout London.

Southwark Cyclists are involved with TfL and LCC's Junction Review Process which began in March 2012.

Although many of the main roads in Southwark are not managed by Southwark Council, we encourage the Council to join us in applying pressure on Transport for London to improve conditions on these roads.

On all the other roads in Southwark, we plan to work closely with the Council to generate an unbroken network of safe, navigable and attractive routes throughout the borough. This can be achieved:

• by allowing cycle access through many of the routes where motoring is (or can be) restricted - sometimes called ‘filtered permeability’ (Trinity Street a good example in a residential area);
• with sensitive design of routes through quiet roads, some parks and green spaces where appropriate, making safe and attractive ‘green links’ for both cyclists and pedestrians;
• through installation of good quality cycle lanes which are at least 2 metres wide, on some roads where this is necessary (recent changes on Southwark Park Road a good example); and,
• through application and enforcement of 20 mph speed limits in all residential areas. When properly enforced, a 20 mph speed limit significantly reduces the need for separate cycle lanes (Trinity Street and surrounds an excellent example of good practice).

In all its relations with the Council, Southwark Cyclists works in partnership with Southwark Living Streets, aiming to ensure that cycle provision is designed to avoid conflict with pedestrians and is never at their expense.
 

Developed collaboratively by Southwark Cyclists, March 2012