Myths of the cycling superhighways

CAN we stop falling for the fantasy that we are getting cycle superhighways in central London [Letters, May 6]. The one-directional width of the cycle lanes being built along the Embankment is between 1.5m and 2m — the absolute minimum width for an ordinary cycle lane on a road.

It is claimed that the superhighway will provide a Dutch cycling experience but the guidelines in Holland call for a lane width that is double the broadest parts of the London superhighways. Let’s stop pretending they are “superhighways” and start recognising them for what they are — very ordinary cycle lanes.

Tony Raven THE intended cycling superhighway just provides an extra lane for cyclists in addition to the other facilities they use, such as bus lanes, one-way streets and pavements.

Many cyclists are a law unto themselves — it’s about time they had to pay tax and insurance.

What I see every day are cyclists riding using mobile phones and wearing headphones, although I also see others taking heed of the highway code, abiding by the law.

I’m not surprised that cyclists have accidents — the superhighway just provides another option.

Deirdre Lewis I READ that the cycle superhighways will work in the long run [Letters, May 6] but I feel this is so far from the truth.

When TfL or other organisations show drawings of what the superhighways will look like, their designs always show less then a fraction of the sort of traffic that operates on a normal working day.

Councils are also getting road management seriously wrong. From widened pavements and extra traffic lights, as well as painted cycle lines, how much narrower can our roads get?

Lawrence Beschizza ROSIE Downes [Letters, May 6] is right about cycling superhighways increasing the numbers of cyclists in London. But as there are no secure public places to secure bicycles, most Londoners have to make do with scruffy old bikes as the good ones are frequently stolen.

Residents in Tokyo have secure parking for bikes in the street using tokens and a vertical lift system. Why can’t London have the same?

Michael Brett SO TfL promises to keep one lane in each direction open on the Embankment and Upper and Lower Thames Streets during construction of the cycle superhighway. What happens when a motorist breaks down in one of these single lanes?

Diana Davy

Let’s stop pretending they are ‘superhighways’ and start recognising them for what they are — very ordinary cycle lanes Tony Raven