A local ride has highlighted some of the problems people on bikes face in the borough.

Organised by Southwark Cyclists as part of the Space for Cycling campaign, the ride on 10 May started at Southwark Bridge. This highlighted the safe, segregated cycle lane that separates motor traffic from cyclists at the start of Cycle Superhighway 7 (CS7).

Riding along the protected cycle lane on Southwark Bridge

We stopped along Southwark Bridge Road, where the segregation abruptly ends, making cycling considerably less safe and allowing cars to park on the unprotected cycle superhighway. This is one of the problems cyclists want future councillors to fix – by making sure CS7 is protected all the way.

Cyclists get behind Space for Cycling

Parked cars on CS7 force cyclists to negotiate space with motor traffic

Down CS7 and clockwise around the Elephant and Castle roundabout, we cycled along quiet back streets and across New Kent Road. We had to negotiate a different barrier this time – a beautiful red telephone box right in the middle of the off-street cycle lane.

A phone box truncates the off-street cycle lane on New Kent Road

We continued down Rodney Place and Heygate Street. Here we’re calling on our future politicians to ensure cycling infrastructure in the Heygate Estate redevelopment plans is fit for purpose.

Then it was left into Walworth Road – another problem street we want candidates to commit to making safer by removing HGVs – and down to finish line at Burgess Park.

Making Walworth Road more welcoming for cyclists is a key Space for Cycling ask in Southwark

The above places and many others are part of the ward-level demands cyclists are asking election candidates to support.

How you can support Space for Cycling

• If you’re a local resident: please write to your candidates to ask them to support the demand in your area – you have just over a week!
• If you’re an election candidate: please to support Space for Cycling in your area and help to make Southwark safer and more pleasant for everyone. If you’re unsure how you can pledge your support, contact LCC on activism@lcc.org.uk