The Barclays sponsored Superhighways For Bicycles scheme has had a certain amount of success in terms of an increase in numbers of bicycles which are using the superhighways in London on a daily basis. There is a downside however to the scheme, as the number of accidents involving bicycles has also increased.

The latest plans to extend superhighway 2, include approximately ten places where the cycleway cuts into the pavement around bus stop areas, enabling the cyclist to overtake the stationary bus on the pedestrian side of the bus without having to swing out into the traffic lane, which should make for afe cycling in London.

Superhighway 2 currently runs from Bow to Aldgate and the intention is to increase its length by another 1.5 kilometres to Stafford. Ben Plowden of London Transport commented on the extension in a press statement:

“This new design is more robust and intelligent than before and huge improvements have been made along the route”

The Superhighway bike scheme has generally received widespread support in London with 80% of cyclists who use the Superhighways believing that overall safe cycling in London has been significantly improved.

London For Transport plan to have a dozen superhighway cycle routes open by 2015 including the proposed superhighway number 5, which will run between New Cross Gate and Victoria via Peckham, Camberwell, Kennington and Vauxhall. Public consultation for this proposition took take place in December 2012 and January 2013 and received extensive approval.

Overall, the new superhighway will be an improvement on existing routes by providing more space for buses and cyclists with cycle lanes being at least 1.5 metres wide. Cars will be banned from turning in certain places and 20mph speed limits will be enforced in designated areas. In addition, 52 new, safer junctions will also be added.

All in all it has to be said that these newly proposed superhighway improvements have to be better for the wellbeing of the people of London and the environment in which they live and breathe. Safe cycling in London for 2013!