Latest news with #LondonCyclingCampaign
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
Bank junction to reopen to black cabs as a trial
Black cabs will be allowed to drive through Bank junction, in the City of London, once again as part of an 18-month trial. Restrictions to most traffic, except buses and pedal bicycles, were introduced in 2017 after a cyclist died there and more than 100 people were injured. City of London council said the move would be "carefully monitored" but argued it provided access to the area for those less able to use public transport, and said black cabs had a "strong" safety record. Simon Munk, from the London Cycling Campaign (LCC), said: "Reintroducing more motor traffic to a now beautiful, calm and people-friendly space still risks significantly worsening the junction." In 2015, Ying Tao, a 26-year-old female cyclist, was killed when she was hit by a lorry turning at the junction. Following her death a protest was held at the junction, and months later more than 13,000 people signed a petition calling for lorries to be banned during rush-hour. Currently, only buses and pedal cyclists are allowed to cross it or travel westbound on Cornhill between 0700-1900, Monday to Friday. As part of the trial, which begins on 28 July, black cab taxis will be able to travel west to east only while construction works are carried out on Leadenhall Street. Once the works are complete in October, black cab taxis will also be able to travel east to west. The existing restrictions will still apply to other traffic, including private hire vehicles. At the end of the trial, a final decision will be made as to whether the changes become permanent, or return to the current arrangements. The trial also follows improvement works to Bank junction which the council said "simplified" the junction and made it more pleasurable to be. Council members who voted in favour of lifting the restrictions to black cabs argued that they had a "strong safety record" and that the "significant majority" were now zero emission vehicles. Councillors also said it meant those less able to walk, cycle and travel on public transport will now have "easier access" to transportation. The chairman of the City of London Corporation's Planning and Transportation Committee, Tom Sleigh, said: "The improvement works at Bank junction have been a great success, with many more people now relaxing and enjoying themselves in this more pedestrian friendly, vibrant area. "With that in mind, we'll be carefully monitoring the impact of reintroducing taxis through the junction, during the trial period. "Black cabs in the City have an impeccable safety record and with most of them now also electric vehicles, they have the potential to enhance the area for those unable to use modes of active travel, or who need transportation when public services aren't available." Simon Munk, from LCC, said the news that black cabs were not going to be allowed to turn in the junction was "very welcome", and said: "It goes a long way to dealing with the main risks of reintroducing motor traffic to this space." Mr Munk added: "It will likely mean noise, congestion for buses, and a potentially more hostile environment for walking, wheeling and cycling - and the evidence suggests that taxis and their users won't benefit much if at all. "But the trial will allow us all to judge the scheme on its impacts at the end of the year." Paul Brennan, chairman of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, previously said: "Common sense has prevailed" and said the move was "an important step towards ensuring the City of London is open and accessible". Mr Brennan added: "This trial will demonstrate the importance of taxi access and benefit the immediate area and wider Square Mile." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Council backs reopening of Bank junction to taxis Will taxis be allowed back at Bank junction? Traffic banned from busy City junction Traffic halted over cyclist's death London Cycling Campaign City of London Corporation
BBC News
06-07-2025
- BBC News
Bank junction to reopen to black cabs as a trial
Black cabs will be allowed to drive through Bank junction, in the City of London, once again as part of an 18-month to most traffic, except buses and pedal bicycles, were introduced in 2017 after a cyclist died there and more than 100 people were of London council said the move would be "carefully monitored" but argued it provided access to the area for those less able to use public transport, and said black cabs had a "strong" safety record. Simon Munk, from the London Cycling Campaign (LCC), said: "Reintroducing more motor traffic to a now beautiful, calm and people-friendly space still risks significantly worsening the junction." In 2015, Ying Tao, a 26-year-old female cyclist, was killed when she was hit by a lorry turning at the her death a protest was held at the junction, and months later more than 13,000 people signed a petition calling for lorries to be banned during only buses and pedal cyclists are allowed to cross it or travel westbound on Cornhill between 0700-1900, Monday to part of the trial, which begins on 28 July, black cab taxis will be able to travel west to east only while construction works are carried out on Leadenhall the works are complete in October, black cab taxis will also be able to travel east to existing restrictions will still apply to other traffic, including private hire vehicles. At the end of the trial, a final decision will be made as to whether the changes become permanent, or return to the current trial also follows improvement works to Bank junction which the council said "simplified" the junction and made it more pleasurable to be. Council members who voted in favour of lifting the restrictions to black cabs argued that they had a "strong safety record" and that the "significant majority" were now zero emission vehicles. Councillors also said it meant those less able to walk, cycle and travel on public transport will now have "easier access" to transportation. The chairman of the City of London Corporation's Planning and Transportation Committee, Tom Sleigh, said: "The improvement works at Bank junction have been a great success, with many more people now relaxing and enjoying themselves in this more pedestrian friendly, vibrant area."With that in mind, we'll be carefully monitoring the impact of reintroducing taxis through the junction, during the trial period."Black cabs in the City have an impeccable safety record and with most of them now also electric vehicles, they have the potential to enhance the area for those unable to use modes of active travel, or who need transportation when public services aren't available." Simon Munk, from LCC, said the news that black cabs were not going to be allowed to turn in the junction was "very welcome", and said: "It goes a long way to dealing with the main risks of reintroducing motor traffic to this space."Mr Munk added: "It will likely mean noise, congestion for buses, and a potentially more hostile environment for walking, wheeling and cycling - and the evidence suggests that taxis and their users won't benefit much if at all. "But the trial will allow us all to judge the scheme on its impacts at the end of the year." Paul Brennan, chairman of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, previously said: "Common sense has prevailed" and said the move was "an important step towards ensuring the City of London is open and accessible".Mr Brennan added: "This trial will demonstrate the importance of taxi access and benefit the immediate area and wider Square Mile."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
More walkers hit by cyclists than cars in royal parks
Cyclists are more likely than motorists to hit and injure pedestrians in London's parks, new data reveal. Nine pedestrians were struck by cyclists in the capital's Royal Parks, which include Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Richmond Park, between January 2024 and April 2025. There were a reported 18 similar near misses across the eight outdoor spaces. In contrast, no pedestrians were struck by cars and there were only two reported near misses involving vehicles, accident logs held by the Royal Parks show. The data was obtained after the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) responded to a parks campaign encouraging cyclists to obey 20mph speed limits by insisting: 'The biggest cause of road danger to anyone inside a Royal Park remains drivers.' The only motorised vehicle to hit and injure someone over the 16-month period was a motorbike, according to accident logs released through a Freedom of Information response. Meanwhile, nine cyclists collided with other cyclists and two cars collided with other cars. On eight occasions, cyclists rode into moving or parked cars, including one who hit a vehicle after ignoring a red light. In total, seven cars hit cyclists in incidents where the motorist appeared to be at fault. There were a further three near misses between cars and bikes. Cars also struck trees, walls and lampposts on seven occasions. And cyclists were logged as running over and killing a squirrel, and hitting two dogs and a deer. In April, the Royal Parks charity launched a 'considerate cycling' campaign after Hilda Griffiths, 81, died after being hit in Regent's Park by Brian Fitzgerald, a Credit Suisse director who admitted he was travelling at 29mph in the park's 20mph zone in a 'pace line' formation with other club cyclists. An inquest heard he could not be prosecuted because speed limits do not apply to bikes. Mrs Griffiths died from her injuries two months after the collision in 2022. Tom Fyans, the LCC chief executive, responded to the campaign by saying: 'While cyclists riding too fast are annoying and can undeniably be dangerous, the biggest cause of road danger to anyone inside a Royal Park remains drivers.' Gerard Griffiths, the son of Mrs Griffiths, who has campaigned for a review of cycling laws, said the latest data show bikes put people at greatest risk in parks. 'The attitude of some cyclists – whose need for speed and bragging rights on GPS fitness apps like Strava – needs to change,' he said, referring to YouTube films of cyclists in Regent's Park exceeding 30mph. 'It's about time that sections of the cycling community realise that riding at excessive speed is dangerous.' An LCC spokesman said 'historically' through roads in the Royal Parks have had 'significant issues' with speeding and dangerous driving. He added: 'Many of the Royal Parks have no or few motor vehicles but lots of people cycling. That is likely to explain some of the data presented here. 'Regardless of that, no one should be injured walking or crossing the road in a park, and as we've hopefully been clear on, every single park user – cyclist or driver – should behave sensibly, legally and pay close regard to others, their surroundings and their speed.' A spokesman for the Royal Parks said it welcomed considerate cyclists, adding: 'Unfortunately, we have seen too many collisions and near misses between speeding cyclists and pedestrians or wildlife, which is why we recently launched a 'considerate cycling' campaign, asking cyclists to slow down, stay within the maximum 20mph vehicle speed limit in the parks and respect others.' The parks' new code has already been mocked on social media by some cyclists, who suggest that it unfairly targets them. The Royal Parks spokesman added: 'We believe that reminding cyclists to watch their speed will improve safety in the parks for everyone and will give cyclists more time to react in the event of a possible collision.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Telegraph
More walkers hit by cyclists than cars in royal parks
Cyclists are more likely than motorists to hit and injure pedestrians in London's parks, new data reveal. Nine pedestrians were struck by cyclists in the capital's Royal Parks, which include Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Richmond Park, between January 2024 and April 2025. There were a reported 18 similar near misses across the eight outdoor spaces. In contrast, no pedestrians were struck by cars and there were only two reported near misses involving vehicles, accident logs held by the Royal Parks show. The data was obtained after the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) responded to a parks campaign encouraging cyclists to obey 20mph speed limits by insisting: 'The biggest cause of road danger to anyone inside a Royal Park remains drivers.' The only motorised vehicle to hit and injure someone over the 16-month period was a motorbike, according to accident logs released through a Freedom of Information response. Meanwhile, nine cyclists collided with other cyclists and two cars collided with other cars. On eight occasions, cyclists rode into moving or parked cars, including one who hit a vehicle after ignoring a red light. In total, seven cars hit cyclists in incidents where the motorist appeared to be at fault. There were a further three near misses between cars and bikes. Cars also struck trees, walls and lampposts on seven occasions. And cyclists were logged as running over and killing a squirrel, and hitting two dogs and a deer. In April, the Royal Parks charity launched a 'considerate cycling' campaign after Hilda Griffiths, 81, died after being hit in Regent's Park by Brian Fitzgerald, a Credit Suisse director who admitted he was travelling at 29mph in the park's 20mph zone in a 'pace line' formation with other club cyclists. An inquest heard he could not be prosecuted because speed limits do not apply to bikes. Mrs Griffiths died from her injuries two months after the collision in 2022. Tom Fyans, the LCC chief executive, responded to the campaign by saying: 'While cyclists riding too fast are annoying and can undeniably be dangerous, the biggest cause of road danger to anyone inside a Royal Park remains drivers.' Gerard Griffiths, the son of Mrs Griffiths, who has campaigned for a review of cycling laws, said the latest data show bikes put people at greatest risk in parks. 'The attitude of some cyclists – whose need for speed and bragging rights on GPS fitness apps like Strava – needs to change,' he said, referring to YouTube films of cyclists in Regent's Park exceeding 30mph. 'It's about time that sections of the cycling community realise that riding at excessive speed is dangerous.' An LCC spokesman said 'historically' through roads in the Royal Parks have had 'significant issues' with speeding and dangerous driving. He added: 'Many of the Royal Parks have no or few motor vehicles but lots of people cycling. That is likely to explain some of the data presented here. 'Regardless of that, no one should be injured walking or crossing the road in a park, and as we've hopefully been clear on, every single park user – cyclist or driver – should behave sensibly, legally and pay close regard to others, their surroundings and their speed.' A spokesman for the Royal Parks said it welcomed considerate cyclists, adding: 'Unfortunately, we have seen too many collisions and near misses between speeding cyclists and pedestrians or wildlife, which is why we recently launched a 'considerate cycling' campaign, asking cyclists to slow down, stay within the maximum 20mph vehicle speed limit in the parks and respect others.' The parks' new code has already been mocked on social media by some cyclists, who suggest that it unfairly targets them. The Royal Parks spokesman added: 'We believe that reminding cyclists to watch their speed will improve safety in the parks for everyone and will give cyclists more time to react in the event of a possible collision.'
BBC News
25-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cyclists urged to slow down in London's Royal Parks
The Royal Parks charity has launched a campaign encouraging cyclists to be more considerate and stick to the speed limits in the Considerate Cycling campaign follows several incidents in the parks, the charity said, with the aim to enhance safety and improve the park experience for all campaign also comes after a recent research found almost three-quarters of pedestrians surveyed in London had witnessed or experienced a near miss, or collision, with a Fyans, from the London Cycling Campaign, said: "While cyclists riding too fast are annoying and can undeniably be dangerous, the biggest cause of road danger to anyone inside a Royal Park remains drivers." The survey, which was conducted in February and consulted 2,005 found 72% regarded "people cycling without due care and attention" as the main concern as a 86% of people said the 20mph vehicle speed limit in central London should also apply to bicycles, which are currently campaign will run through the spring and summer is backed by a new code of conduct that all cyclists entering the parks should adhere to, regardless of whether they are commuting, exercising or exploring the parks recreationally, the charity said. New signage is also displayed across the Royal Parks in high-traffic areas, with a new cycling online hub on the charity's website. 'Behave better' Darren Share, from The Royal Parks charity, said: "Cyclists must understand the impact their speed can have on others, which is why it is crucial that they comply with the park regulations, and we are asking people to stay within the vehicle speed limits in the parks."The safety of all visitors is our top priority. By encouraging cyclists to slow down, respect the park environment and be considerate of others, we hope to foster a culture of respect and a safer, more enjoyable experience for all park visitors whether on two feet or two wheels."Tom Fyans, from the London Cycling Campaign, added: "Paying attention to your speed when cycling is sensible and shows respect to others around you. "Everyone needs to be sensible, everyone needs to behave better, everyone should be safe - and The Royal Parks needs to keep the focus on reducing road danger for everyone."
