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A little bit of thought and observation should show that registration, tax, insurance and licences have little effect on road behaviour. Adequate traffic laws for cyclists and motorists are all in place. What is lacking is adequate enforcement.
But, no doubt, the self-inflicted motorized martyrs would moan about that, too.

- Hc, Somerset, UK, 16/01/2010 20:20
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I like James' foaming rants, he shows total ignorance on cycle parking infrastucture and on what the Cycle Superhighways actually consists of. Idiot

- Ben, London, 16/01/2010 13:56
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Riding my bike on the road, I recently collided with a teenage girl at a pedestrian lights. Flattened her and went flying myself trying unsuccesfully to swerve round her. She and all her friends swore blind that I had jumped the lights and wanted to claim on my insurance, which like most cyclists I do have. They called the police. This being an offence by a cyclist and not something boring like a burglary or a drunk driver they turned up very quickly. Fortunately I carry a 'muvi' camera on my crossbar which enabled me to show a green light and her running into the road whilst texting, having made only a fleeting check for traffic.
I agree that the police should take more action against cylists who ride on the pavement, I would strongly support this.
On the other hand some junctions are so badly designed that the only way to negotiate them safely does involve going through a red light, albeit cautuiously and without inconveniencing or endangering others.

- Harry Davidson, London, 16/01/2010 11:17
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A Cycle fund of £25000 per borough, not bad, it should just about cover a circular track in a park.

- Mr S.Port, London, 15/01/2010 01:28
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Quote: I like my car thanks...and when i dont drive i use a black cab !

- Richard, LONDON

Wow, what an interesting life you lead.

- Fred, London, 14/01/2010 17:23
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Cycle lanes should be built in wide open spaces segregated from traffic where possible. If they want to encourage cycling in the suburbs of Enfield,Haringey, Waltham Forest, Hackney, Newham &Tower Hamlets they could begin by making sure the canal paths of the River Lea &Regents Canal are smooth,paved &tidied up.That way people from inner London & outer London areas like Tottenham Hale could cycle more easily all the way to the Stratford Olympic park or Canary Wharf on segregated cycle paths away from traffic &through some nice parkland.I cycled there recently.They have existing cycle routes along these canals but facilities have fallen into disrepair(rocks, glass,slabs on path)&are not well known or signposted.In the Netherlands many cycle paths are right next to canals but for some reason on the TFL journey planner they don't have routes along canals or river Thames,even though these river side paths would be the most safe way through London without encountering traffic.The routes are not as direct as on the road perhaps, but they are safe enough for novice users to feel comfortable in - at least during the daytime.That will encourage more people(who would never cycle on roads)to start cycling.

- Joseph, Tottenham, 14/01/2010 16:08
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James, London - Middle class? Who are they? You either work and earn (working class) or you're born in to money (upper class). I cycle, and I'm working class. I d not wear lycra either. By the way, I hope that the face recognition you are mentioning does a good job of catching motorists on their mobile too. They are much more of a menace than the cyclists you seem to keep stressing about & using them at the wheel causes many annual deaths and injuries. But as long as you motorists get to your destination, you're ok right?

Sue, Kent - "Cyclists are a ruddy menace - bikes and cars using the same space do not mix." Is that because you cannot drive with cyclists on the road. Many other people can, so maybe you need some re-training at the wheel.

Kev, London - I presume the reason cars have number plates & insurance is so that drivers cannot hide and break the law (even though the majority of you all speed, jump lights, park where you shouldn't, use mobile phone while driving...I could go on) & can then sit in their metal box, thinking they own the road & they should listen to no-one.

- 2 Wheels, London, 14/01/2010 15:03
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We have teenagers killing each other in broad daylight with knives and guns on a daily basis all over London and we are talking about encouraging the use of pushbikes????,at least Boris is running true to form.

- Jacob, Bolshevik Britain., 14/01/2010 14:59
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Please,no more bikes.

- Norman, London, 14/01/2010 14:07
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I'm with it, provided that cyclists are banned from Central London, let's say within the congestion charge area.

- Bj, East London, 14/01/2010 13:44
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This money is being thrown away on "money to fund studies on how cycling can be developed."

Cycling groups will tell you how to do it for free.

You'd have to be mad to cycle in these boroughs, with all the reckless car drivers, lorry drivers talking on phones, bus drivers who pass leaving an inch to spare, impatient speeding taxi drivers, and emergency vehicles screaming along on the wrong side of the road at 60 mph.

Most people quite rightly won't cycle on unsafe roads. Boris and his mates aren't interested in making them safer, just in PR gimmicks.

- Jon, London, 14/01/2010 13:29
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All the problems in London and all they do is sit round a table and come up with this. Jobsworths, highly paid.

- Grim Reaper, Hell, 14/01/2010 13:06
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Seems like a pretty sensible plan. Most world cities encourage cyclists, we should do the same. I just hope there is some basic education to teach cyclists that most risks are simply not worth taking; let that car cut you up, don't worry about it, just filter past the at the next set of lights. Don't worry, be happy.

- St, London, 14/01/2010 12:51
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I like my car thanks...and when i dont drive i use a black cab !

- Richard, LONDON, 14/01/2010 12:50
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Oh look an article about cycling and suddenly all the rabid foaming at the mouth brigade are out. What a suprise. NOT! You lot make me laugh out loud. First of all, £300k is hardly a great sum of money - not when you consider that new road schemes regularly cost in excess of £10-£15MILLION. Secondly, Sue, Ken, cycle helmets do not work in impacts with cars. They were designed for off road mountain bike use in the 1970s, are useless at impacts of over 12 mph. They can also make rotational head injuries worse, and can lessen the rider's vision. Finally, if you wear one, you are actually MORE likely to have an accident, as drivers will pass closer and give you less room. Why don't you actually do some research before spouting the usual rubbish? You might learn something. Thirdly, levels of car use are extremely high in outer London boroughs, and something needs to be done to encourage people to switch to more sustainable forms of transport. It's a step in the right direction, but not enough in my view. Petrol's not going to last forever, and it's high time the streets were given back to pedestrians and cyclists. And finally, James, I believe you are actually insane, but do keep posting your lies as they cause me much amusement, thanks.

- Lesley, Hastings, UK, 14/01/2010 12:39
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Just think, 300,000 gbp is one third the cost of one of the 3000 fatal car accidents every year.

Perhaps car drivers should stop parking on double yellow lines (putting hazard lights on doesn't make this ok). Perhaps they can also stop parking on pavements. Perhaps they can also stop running red lights, breaking the speed limits and aggresively intimidating cyclists. Perhaps they can also stop polluting the environment just to drive 2 miles to the shops as they are too lazy to walk. Perhaps they can stay out of the advanced stop lane reserved for cyclists. Perhaps all the unlicensed, untaxed drivers with false number plates can be caught too.

- Cyclist, london, 14/01/2010 12:25
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James made his comment quickly. I don't mind so long as this project helps me sell more cycles and accessories from my shop thats fine by me.

- Dc, London, 14/01/2010 12:19
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Quote: "bikes and cars using the same space do not mix."

- Sue, Kent

Your probably not a very good driver if you think that!

- Tony, Kent, 14/01/2010 12:08
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And you can expect the unusual rant from me Dc,London.Cyclists should nor be encouraged unless or until they agree to use there cycles as cycles and not cop out and take them on the train or public transport,just yesterday some so called cyclist tried to get his primitive form of transport onto a bus can you believe!.And you should all be registered and taxed and bikes should have number plates,so when a pedestrian is knocked down on the pavement or crossing because said so called cyclist failed to obey the law,at least we can identify you,why most cyclists object to these measures is plain to see,the same reason you wear clowns clothes and wrap around sun glasses,you need anonymity to break the law,and for gods sake stop leaving them dumped on the pavement directly out side shop doors, there by creating a hazard for those trying to enter a shop.And do us all a favorer please,just stop thinking your so superior simply because you made a choice to use a primitive form of transport,your not.

- Kev, London uk, 14/01/2010 12:04
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Just think this £300,000 could have funded 3 years free travel on national rail services on New years eve!!!

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 14/01/2010 12:02
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It would be ideal for the Rt Hon the Lord Norman Tebbit to officially open this scheme.

- James From Camden, London, 14/01/2010 11:51
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I completely agree with James. Let them pay for parking their bikes and the Police should start booking cyclists for running red lights and riding on pavements. Let them be insured, let them go on proper cycle safety courses and let them be fined for not wearing a safely helmet. I heard on the news last night that someone died after being run down by a bicycle on a pavement, so its not always the car that's at fault as many cyclists would like us to believe. Cyclists are a ruddy menace - bikes and cars using the same space do not mix.

- Sue, Kent, 14/01/2010 11:47
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James, did you come out of a George Orwell novel or are you just insane?

- Michael, London, 14/01/2010 11:40
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This £300,000 would be better spent making outer underground station step free thus benefitring millions of passengers on a permenent basis.

In fact, if Boris can afford to waste money on this outer boroughs were schemes have been stopped need to ask whether this is the same money diverted to Bojos pet projects?

After last few weeks money would have been better spent on instlling grit boxes!!

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 14/01/2010 11:39
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I would love to see this in London and more respect for cyclists please, they're not all thugs you know!
It's all about being responsible for ones health and enjoying it. Perhaps there is a Triathlete in training amongst you!

- Claire Elizabeth, London, 14/01/2010 11:02
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If you want to make cycling in London safer and more fun
you need to get rid of the crazy selfish car drivers, the
recent ice and snow proves my point just stupid loons who have no clue. Big up to all cyclist keeping fit and
having fun with out being locked up in a tin box.

- Smiff, London, 14/01/2010 10:50
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WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY, just when the economy is going belly up and the recession is going to bite we spend more money on the wealthy, middle-class, Lycra layabouts to park their ego vehicle.

Yes do install bike parking spaces but only if the councils can charge for their use by the hour to recover the cost and make a profit. Do not put these spaces on pavements to obstruct the old, the disabled and mothers with prams. Do put them in areas that nobody uses because they are industrial or sink estates, that way the middle classes may learn what the poor actually look like. Do give the council powers fro removal and rapid sale of cycles that are parked without a fee paid being displayed or confirmed.

Do charge cyclists for using 'cycling superhighways' and above all ensure that facial recognition cameras are installed so people can make claims against a cyclist for injury etc if cycle identification and tracking is not implemented in a rapid manner.

I am afraid that this action is discrimination against old and disabled - I would say against the poor as well but I guess that there will be enough cycle thefts to redistribute that section of wealth, especially as cycles are not identified by licence.

- James, London, 14/01/2010 10:37
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Wait for it. Tax, insurance, menace, Lycra Louts, red lights, alomst knocked me over, scouge of society.

Also expect the usual rant from James London

- Dc, London, 14/01/2010 10:26
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