London to Spend US$975 Million on Walking and Cycling Programs Over Next Decade
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 02.12.08
London is certainly at the forefront of efforts by cities to lower emissions of carbon dioxide, reduce traffic and air pollution, and promote healthier lifestyles. In addition to imposing a congestion tax , as well as a 'Dirty Lorry' charge, on vehicles entering the city, and otherwise tackling climate change through planning and incentives, London is now announcing that it plans "to create a new network of quick, simple, and safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians that represents the largest investment in walking and cycling in the city’s history."
This is not some token initiative, either. London is committed to spending US$975 million over the next ten years to implement five new programs "with the aim of having one in ten round trips in London each day made by bike, and saving some 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year ." Read more about the program after the fold
The five new programs will be:
1) A bike-share program akin to those springing up all over Europe. 6,000 bikes will be "located across docking stations every 300m so Londoners and visitors have quick and easy access to a bike." Much as in Paris, the bikes will be used by tourists for sightseeing, as well as residents for commuting.
2) A dozen "radial Cycling Corridors for commuters" will be created to make it easier to cycle into central London.
3) A series of Bike Zones will be established that "link key local destinations and open parks and waterways for cyclists." One of the key features of these zones will be that the streets will have 20mph speed limits, and will be designated as 'cycle priority' streets.
4) More signage will be put up to make short trips on foot or bike easier to navigate.
5) 200 'Streets of Gold' will be designated and receive "urban makeovers which link key local destinations like stations, schools and shops in inner and outer London with high quality walking facilities, delivering improved pavements, seating and crossings alongside regeneration measures."
See Also: ::Bicycle Master Plan For Seattle, ::Have You Reduced Your Dependence on Cars?, ::It's London Fashion Week--Again ::What is Bike Friendly?, ::Biodiesel Feedstock Collected to Unplug London's Arteries and ::No Bicycles Left in London
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This is awesome! I love that London is making it so easy to choose to be green...even for visitors.
I think the bike sharing programs are great. They are a great option for tourists-- the only thing I worry about is helmets!
Fantastic :-). I live in London and I'd love to cycle, but at the moment it seems just too dangerous.
Some of the money for this scheme is coming from the increase in the congestion change for 4x4s and sports cars -- up from £8 to £25 per day in October!
Hopefully they won't use this as an excuse to destroy homes and such. In Minneapolsi they want to build an 'around the city' parkway but to do so they want to tear out blocks of housing.
On a humoous note: Why is London spending US dollars on this issue? $975 Million in ten years will be about what 2 Pound ten? LOL
-Lego
Very useful bike ;)