nickr The problem with compelling cyclists to use cycle lanes is that many of them are designed for the casual cyclist, the type that might have cycled on the pavement before the lanes were built. As a long time cycling commuter my average speed is probably around 15 - 20mph. I really don’t want to be cycling around bus stops, bin, street lights, rubbish and pedestrians. Some of the latest lanes force cyclists to give way at EVERY junction, totally useless and very dangerous.
Personally, I would be in complete favour of banning all vehicles from central and Greater London. Leaving all roads available for Cycles, Pedestrians Buses and Trams if there are any. I would absolutely have no problem with that at all, as driving in London used to always be bad, and I would imagine is a nightmare nowadays. Goods vehicles could be allowed in only after all pedestrians and cyclist have pretty much vacated the roads. e.g. between Midnight and 5 am to do deliveries. cycle couriers could of course take up the slack during the day for smaller items.
The car parks could be turned into secure cycle parks *free of course" and all the cycle lanes could be removed. Plus the streets and kerbs could be kept much clearer of debris, especially with no cars and more regular cleaning. Obviously pothole work would need to continue, but probably be cheaper without all the vehicles damaging the road.
A huge amount could be saved on traffic signals and road compliance signage, with standard give way junctions…the average traffic light junction costs around a million easy and the ongoing maintenance…most of those could go. As it’s completely unnecessary for cyclists. One way streets would no longer be necessary, just a no goods vehicle sign.
I guess this could be extended to all major towns, even if they don’t have a good transport infrastructure, one could soon be built.
The savings from no traffic police having to patrol for infringements, lack of speed cameras, no parking attendants required, no congestion charge infrastructure (unless they want to charge goods vehicles, but they could do that via a tax on them), no parking meters, could run into many millions. I think there are probably 10K+ people involved in policing, parking and servicing infrastructure that would no longer be required.
Offices in central London would only have to provide very limited car parking, as all maintenance would be done between Midnight and 5 am. All people could choose to cycle, or go by public transport and the price of public transport would surely come down with all those extra people using it. Most garages could be closed and redeveloped