Cyclist casualty rates in London have risen every year since 2006 and more than two thirds of cyclists in the capital feel less safe now than six months ago, a report by the London Assembly Transport Committee (LATC) has revealed.

The report, titled ‘Cycling in London – An Update’ claims that most cyclists feel squashed between traffic and need more space at critical junctions.

LATC deputy chair Caroline Pidgeon said: “There is a big gap between what cyclists want and what is being delivered.

“Cyclists have been at great risk of accidents and their safety needs to be prioritised as soon as possible."

The Committee makes nine recommendations to the Mayor and Transport for London, including a stop to under spending on cycling and to deliver improvements to at least 10 junctions by 2015.

Publication of the report came on the same day that the London Mayor announced that 33 of the city’s biggest road junctions will be transformed in a £300M programme to improve cycle safety.

Gyratories at Archway, Aldgate, Swiss Cottage and Wandsworth will be replaced with two-way roads, segregated cycle tracks and new traffic free public space. The Elephant & Castle roundabout, London’s highest cycle casualty location, will also be removed.

In the last three years more than 150 cyclists and pedestrians have been killed or seriously injured at the 33 locations.

Boris Johnson said: “These road junctions are relics of the Sixties which blight and menace whole neighbourhoods.”

Earlier this week the Mayor also pledged £200M to improve streets and public spaces at 17 locations in the capital. Sites set for an overhaul include Croydon Fiveways, Euston Road, Tulse Hill Gyratory and Victoria Circus.

* Transportation Professional has a Cycling, Health & Wellbeing special in its next issue, out 14 March.

Photo: Tejvan Pettinger

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