Sadly myMoultons and various fixed wheels aren’t quite suitable for Wivenhoe Wood or the banks of the River Colne. It’s back to the future in oh so many ways – MTB included.
My days of two fixies and a track bike ownership are over. It’s a LondonNorth Essex thing, baby.
A built to budget bike from yer man Bob of, um, Bob’s Bikes SE17, and then come Saturday morning and the beast was ready to roll out. It was damn hard work, with the heavy tread making heavy going of the treacle like Walworth Road. Get me on that Wivenhoe Trail ASAP.
Front suspension, disc brakes and enough rubber to power a condom factory. I can’t say it’s gonna be a ride of choice, more one of circumstances. When in Rome.
With a huge heads up to the brilliant @thebikeshow, I finally managed to indulge my twin passions of cycling and cappuccino, with a Saturday morning spent slurping coffee at Look Mum No Hands!
Part cafe, part bicycling workshop, the Old Street establishment is fast becoming a central meeting point for London cyclists. It offers somewhere to meet up for fellow riders, share road experiences and refresh, before rolling out once again.
Cafes that cater for cyclists are surprisingly rare. There’s Cafe St Germain at Crystal Palace, although this is more a cafe of coincidence, serving as the regular roll out location for the mighty Dulwich Paragon.
With my morning cycling companion @richardgallon cutting a swath through the back streets of the city, we pulled up outside Look Mum, and locked up our Raleigh rides. As you would expect, parking provision is ample, both outdoors and indoors within the spacious set up.
Bicycles old and new hang from the walls and the ceiling. Some of these are for sale, some are historical reminders as to how far, and yet also how little cycling has changed over the past one hundred years.
We ordered an espresso and a cappuccino, and then chose to soak up the morning sun, sitting outside towards the front of the cafe. Despite being positioned in the centre of Old Street, there was still a feeling of tranquilly and shelter away from the main stretch of the road.
Bicycling books, magazines and clothes are all for sale. Races are also shown on the main projector. Time was running against me, but I was intrigued by the live screening of the Tour of Poland later in the afternoon.
In a week where cycling within London has hopefully become more inclusive, it was reassuring to see that Look Mum has little of the snob factor that can sometimes become absorbed within cycling circles. Our couple of hours spent drinking coffee saw a range of different riders and bicycles enter the building – road racers, fixies, Brompton boys and girls, weekend hybrids, MTB’s and even a couple of those very nice bicycling Bobbies.
The coffee was the quality that you would expect for the £2.40 price; the food looked incredibly tempting. The sausage pie in particular almost got the better of me, but I feared it would slow down my return passage climbing the category one climb that is the North side of Blackfriars Bridge.
A morning of gossip soon passed. The guys in the workshop worked on a couple of bikes right next to where we were sitting. They were approachable, and happy to answer any basic bicycling questions. It is this shared sense of community that will hopefully keep Look Mum in business, once the current buzz of bicycling in London calms down once again.
With Old Street being something of a regular route for many London cyclists, Look Mum already has a potential passing trade. The coffee and cycling culture now established should hopefully see the business continue to build.
But at 103 pages long, I was prepared to give the Report some analysis and see if there is anything positive to be found within for Lambeth cyclists. I hoped that by the time I reached page 103, I hadn’t read the rallying call for cycling to be banned along the riverbank.
Um, major spoiler alert…
Whoops.
“In 2009 we commissioned the South Bank Employers’ Group to draft a cycle strategy for the South Bank and Waterloo area.
The unique aim of the strategy was to consider all aspects of cycling from a neighbourhood perspective rather than addressing any particular theme, such as cycle safety or cycling behaviour.
We are interested in hearing your comments on the strategy.”
OK…
First off it is the very good Councillor Nigel Haselden who has written the above forward for the report. He goes by the rather fancy title of Deputy Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport. Forget that – Nigel is a passionate a cyclist who knows his stuff.
“With the Mayor’s Cycle Hire Scheme and Cycle Superhighways being launched, an increasing drive towards sustainable travel, and rising cycle theft, the report should represent part of an ongoing conversation with key stakeholders [urgh] about how to deliver services to encourage people to take to their bikes.”
Interesting times ahead. It should be noted however that the Boris Bikes bare very little relevance to the wider needs of cyclists within Lambeth.
There is the geographic issue of the Boris Bikes only touching the very North tip of the borough. Plus the provision of a public bicycle hire scheme has been implemented for short-term immediate needs, and not to address the needs of the wider cycling community.
Trying to find somewhere to park your bicycle safely in Streatham, having had to fight the near motorway madness that is Streatham High Road, is a very different cycling experience compared to taking out a Boris Bike at Kennington and then making the short hop to Waterloo and dropping it off at a well defined docking station.
The significance of Waterloo as the hub [urgh] for Lambeth cyclists shouldn’t be understated either. This is the location where Critical Mass rolls out once a month, and the area is also home to a high concentration of bicycle shops.
This shouldn’t mean however that the needs of other Lambeth cyclists from Stockwell up to Streatham are overlooked, all at the expense of the perceived sexiness of cycling along the South Bank.
The report makes some good points, such as:
“The area suffers from particularly pronounced levels of cycle theft, and there is some debate as to whether this reflects a basic correlation between high numbers of available cycles and high thefts, or whether it also reflects a lack of resource for cycle crime prevention and detection.
Sentences for cycle thieves are relatively lenient, and often served within the community. For this reason, court injunctions and Anti Social Behaviour Orders served on convicted cycle thieves might be considered as part of the toolkit to combat this crime.”
Also part of this toolkit [urgh] is displacing the crime to other parts of the borough no doubt.
But let’s fast-forward to the money shot, and the conclusions reached by the community embracing South Bank Employers’ Group:
“The debate about cycling on the River Walk is polemical. The River Walk is not a designated cycle route and private landowners in the study area recommend that a ban on cycling in this location be enforced.
Although it is technically illegal to cycle on the River Walk, the London Borough of Lambeth have indicated that they do not wish to see enforcement against cyclists on the Albert Embankment section between Westminster and Lambeth Bridges, for which the Council is responsible.”
Which is basically saying we’ll turn a blind eye at policing our statutory requirements, and then wash our hands over what we’re not legally obliged to provide. Which pretty much sums up Lambeth Council policy en masse.
The reason behind this is explained in the telling line of:
“Relatively limited funding is available to implement the recommendations.”
This is of course the role of the South Bank Employers’ Group, who did after all author the report:
“Private landowners Southbank Centre and Coin Street Community Builders to support enforcement of no cycling rule on the River Walk between Oxo Tower Wharf and London Eye. Should no enforcement support be agreed with police, landowners should support the signage plan.”
And so no surprises that a report authored by the South Bank Employers’ Group concludes by supporting business through the process of trying prevent people from cycling. And it only took 103 pages to reach this viewpoint.
But in-between there are some fine observations. Recommendations in relation to bike theft are extremely positive:
“Bike marking / registration days in central areas and at major employers, police-supported scheme with local cycle shops asking customers to register cycles with national property register, lock discount scheme at workplaces.”
Let us not forget that this type of report, attempting to recommend what steps can be taken to make cycling more appealing, would have been pretty much non-existent even a decade ago.
It is a step in the right direction, as long as you overlook the vested interests of the anti-cycling lobby that is the South Bank Employers’ Group.
Oh – and a few more bike stands wouldn’t go amiss outside Lambeth Town Hall.
This is highly annoying. Captured along the Clap’ham Road during the weekend, the lorry below was blocking the CS7 Cycle Superhighway all day on Saturday.
The regulations governing CS7 makes them a mandatory cycling route, and therefore being out of bounds for other road users, either moving or stationary. Flexibility is of course needed from cyclists and all other road users. But parking and blocking CS7 all day?
The workmen were carrying out repairs to a property along the Clap’ham Road. I appreciate that access to the property is required, but not at the cost of blocking a dedicated cycling lane.
Any approaching cyclist had to swerve way over to the right, and then run the risk of being bumped from behind by oncoming cars that weren’t expecting such a move.
I’m still broadly in favour of CS7. It has made cycling along the Clap’ham Road at least a more visible experience, if not offering total protection.
The idea was to cycle the length of the Cycle Superhighway around my #hyperlocal patch of South London, and then write a cynical, sneering blog post about how Boris’ bicycling solution is little more than lip service to the cycling lobby.
But for all the faults of CS7 [PDF], I would rather be given the opportunity to freewheel along the big blue bicycle lane, than to be left at the mercy of the free for all that is the traditional car haven that is the Clap’ham Road.
Yes – parked cars tend to clog up CS7; busses are no better. The stop / start random nature of the big blue experiment seems slightly confusing as well. Plus the paint is already starting to peel off around my #hyperlocal patch, less than a month since it was first put down, and before the official opening as well.
But never mind the length – feel the thickness. There is a certain feeling of elevated safety gained from cycling in a dedicated blue lane that warns away any non-pedal power modes of transport. There is also the safety in numbers element, as the pelaton hurtles down my #hyperlocal patch each morning and early evening.
The visual element of the Cycle Superhighway will be what defines it as a success. You simply can’t miss the great big blue swathes currently cutting through the main routes of the city. Cyclists are attracted towards it, creating a genuine critical mass of cyclists.
It is difficult to imagine just how dire cycling was in London less than a decade ago. Anyone seen around town on two wheels was viewed even lower down the social scale than a Bus Stop Johnny. Cycling wasn’t cool – it was the form of transport for the have nots, the losers, the weirdoes.
I’m pleased that I’ve stuck with cycling, and although I may not have fully escaped from this demographic, cycling down the Cycle Superhighway with the Bright Young Things of SW8, now no longer means having insults, or even objects, thrown at you.
Another evening, another local political hustings to attend.
Blimey.
The Lambeth Cyclists political call to arms wasn’t quite the Red Flag revolutionary radical hotbed of the Stop the War hustings from the night before. But bicyclists are passionate, and they tend to talk a lot of sense.
But anyway. It was good to see @LambethLabour representation from the very decent Councillor Haselden, a fine local politician, and a passionate cyclist. Councillor Heather was representing @LambethLibDems, Councillor Whelan (female variety) the Tories and John Hare was speaking for Lambeth Greens.
As is the format with most hustings, each candidate was first given an opportunity to introduce their policies. Councillor Whelan proudly declared: “half of the Lambeth Conservative group are passionate cyclists.” I think she meant herself and the good husband.
Much was made of the Tory enthusiasm for bicycling, as promoted by Boris and Dave. I’ve actually got a bit of a *shhh* soft spot for the wet, ineffectual Lambeth Tories; but it was when Councillor Whelan brought the Bullingdon boys into the conversation that my love of the blue rinse receded.
Councillor Whelan explored the idea of building bicycle lanes on disused railway lines. A fine principle, but there ‘aint that many of these around Lambeth. The Lambeth Tory record of supporting an increase in bike racks and an increase in cycling routes was also mentioned.
The Tories locally are also on the record for calling for increased cycle training. Councillor Whelan raised the stakes further by calling for all car drivers to also undertake cycle training course.
Cripes.
So yeah, the Conservatives in Lambeth have genuine green credentials, albeit little political power. A fine opening.
Councillor Heather of the @LambethLibDems was then allowed his ten minutes to explain the opposition policy towards cycling.
“I am not a cyclist myself, but I do recognise that the Council has appointed an extremely good Cycle Programme Manager in Richard Ambler.”
With the @LambethLibDems pledging in their manifesto to cut down on council bureaucracy, I think our man Richard can rest easy at night, come May 7th.
Councillor Heather put forward the policy of introducing a 20mph speed limit around Lambeth. Given that central Brixton and Streatham High Road already operate a non law enforced go slow policy, this shouldn’t make too much of a difference if rolled out borough wide.
In a rare moment of a @LambethLibDems love in with @LambethLabour, Councillor Heather also praised the specialist training that Lambeth HGV drivers have to undertake. This is a crucial issue when you consider the increase in deaths of London bicyclists at the hands of HGV’s this year.
“It forces cyclists on to routes that quite frankly, are rather undesirable.”
The Cycle Super Highway goes past my front door.
Yikes.
The political hot potato of potholes then surfaced. Or even re-surfaced, if you see what I mean. Councillor Heather was heavily critical of Labour’s record in reducing potholes.
As I keep saying – potholes: they are an election winner…
The right old mess of the bodged Herne Hill junction at Brockwell Park was next up on Councillor Heather’s radar. Quite right too. To give up green space with the aim of improving the traffic flow, only to find that a great big pavement has been plonked down instead, is one of the major environmental failures of @LambethLabour.
Councillor Heather continued this theme, pledging that @LambethLibDems would not build on any other green land in the borough, and in particular (and of great political significance) Streatham Common and the proposed temporary ice rink.
To defend @LambethLabour’s cycling and green credentials was Councillor Haselden – a very affable chap who is fantastic on the detail and finer points of town planning:
“We have a very good pedigree when it comes to cycling. Lambeth is the only borough in London that has two dedicated cycling officers. We want to raise the profile of cycling, and we have introduced a road reduction scheme.”
Councillor Haselden spoke of “addressing the dangers at source,” and “making cycling and walking more attractive.” This #hyperlocal approach is well used by Councillor Haselden. He understands the specific problems that various junctions around the borough present to bicyclists. The trick is of how best to solve them…
Green candidate John Hare then had his ten minutes to address the floor:
“Being the Green candidate, I have the easy gig. I have read the Lambeth Cyclists manifesto. I endorse it fully, although I don’t think it goes far enough.”
John confirmed his support for a borough wide 20mph speed limit, noting in particular how South Lambeth Road is now empty during the day. The congestion charge has seen to this, but it now gives boy racers the opportunity to put their foot down. As a former resident, I can confirm this to be the case.
“Political will makes things happen – not town planners or engineers.”
The second half of the hustings was put over to questions from the floor. With the council naming and shaming drug dealers in the borough, the idea was suggested that we should do the same with bad drivers. The consensus was no, demonstrating what the priorities and perceived threat is from a political point of view.
All candidates were then asked to commit to a policy of offering cycle training to 100% of primary school children in the borough. With cuts and books to balance for the next administration, this was a put up or shut up moment.
Yes was the Tory response, yes in theory from Labour (“although my hands aren’t on the purse strings.“) An “achievable aim” was the answer from the LibDems, adding: “staff are in posts that are not producing much.”
John Hare of the Greens was decent (and honest enough) to admit:
“We’re not going to be in power and so it’s not a decision we will have to make.”
A further question asked the candidates to rank the balance of power between car drivers and cyclists. In particular the example of the hellish crossover by Kennington Park into Brixton Road was cited, as well as the new junction heading up to Brixton Hill, right outside Lambeth Town Hall.
All panel members came up with anecdotes about Brixton Road, but Councillor Haselden was alone in his endorsement of the “improved” traffic flow around Windrush Square. The Brockwell Park Herne Junction then made a return, thanks to a hit and miss question posed by a young (ish) local blogger / bicyclist.
This was a detailed, and very lengthy meeting. Bicyclists are rather picky on the finer points of trying to find a safe and enjoyable way around town on two wheels.
Cheap political points weren’t there to be scored, and it was refreshing to see cross party support for cycling, and a more sustained form of transport in general throughout the borough.
Transport probably won’t play a key role in the local elections. All four main parties in Lambeth are broadly in agreement for the way ahead, come May 7th. Our role as the electorate is to ensure that this consensus is built upon and the next administration aims to keep cycling in Lambeth high up on the agenda.
