London Cycling Campaign demands Cycle Superhighways not Cycle 'Superficial-Highways'

We want Cycle Superhighways - not "Cycle superficial-highways", Mayor of London Boris Johnson was told today  by the London Cycling Campaign (LCC).

It's all very well for the Mayor to be championing this Sunday's Skyride, when thousands of cyclists will ride roads closed to motor traffic when conditions for cyclists in the real world remain problematic.

There is concern that the continuous, cycle commuter routes from the suburbs into Central London planned to be in place in time of the 2012 London Olympics will be anything but "Super".  

LCC are calling for the Mayor to "set clear cycle-friendly" quality standards for  his 12 Cycle Superhighways.

They have laid out quality standards in a manifesto and they are asking London cyclists to sign up and demand these standards for the "Superhighways".

The first two routes, from South Wimbledon to the city and from Barking to the city, are planned to be completed next year.

The term "Superhighway" conjures up traffic-free routes but they will be anything but. In fact, they will run along existing lanes and main roads and be distinguished by blue paint.

LCC Chief executive Koy Thomson said, "It's high-quality cycle routes not a wash of blue paint that'll attract occasional cyclists into regular cycle commuting. We're concerned at a weakening of commitment to such quality on the proposed Cycle Superhighways.

"The mayor needs to step in and make clear that he's aiming for standards that'll be the envy of Europe. We'll be inviting the Mayor to sign our manifesto." 

LCC expects support to build for its manifesto this weekend at Skyride. The manifesto says: 

I want Cycle Superhighways that...

•1) Make my journey a pleasant experience and not a daily struggle for space. 

•2) Give me and other cyclists priority over motor traffic. 

•3) Include sections free of motor traffic. 

•4) Stop buses, lorries and cars passing too close and too fast. 

•5) Keep my path free of parked cars and the danger of opening car doors. 6) Enable me to cycle at the speed I prefer. 

•7) Don't force me to cross lanes of fast-moving traffic. 

•8) Do away with hazardous or difficult one-way systems and roundabouts. 

•9) Are continuous and don't stop and start. 

•10) Allow me to stop at red lights ahead of other traffic and move off first.