Morning:
2°c
Vince Cable’s car on cycling superhighway
20 Jul 2010Business Secretary Vince Cable's ministerial car was photographed parked illegally on the new cycle superhighway as his chauffeur waited for him at South Bank University.
A Transport for London spokesman said no one should park in the cycle lane at “any time”. Cyclist Charlie Holland said: “I trust his driver will be disciplined.”
Reader views (14)
@Johnson Smith
Are there any British cars any more?
@Ian Dickson
I have to assume you are the sort of driver who makes my cycling experience so pleasurable, by heckling me about such things as the non-existent road tax and not wearing the not legally required helmet.
God knows how much of my hard earned tax goes to you so you can drive on out roads, but I resent every penny.
- Steve Gardiner, London, 19/04/2011 15:04
Report abuse
These super highways are just a joke, as Mikael from Netherlands pointed out, proper "cycle paths" there serve much more purpouse than our "super cycle highways".
Can anyone explain me please how painting an asphalt blue does help cyclists?
Basically, Barclays just paid £25M to spray their logo everywhere in London. And else was funded by the taxpayers = tax funded advertising Barclays campaign. Wonder how much Barclays bosses pay Boris.
- Igor, London, 29/07/2010 14:57
Report abuse
These super highways are just a joke, as Mikael from Netherlands pointed out, proper "cycle paths" there serve much more purpouse than our "super cycle highways".
Can anyone explain me please how painting an asphalt blue does help cyclists?
Basically, Barclays just paid £25M to spray their logo everywhere in London. And else was funded by the taxpayers = tax funded advertising Barclays campaign. Wonder how much Barclays bosses pay Boris.
- Igor, London, 29/07/2010 14:56
Report abuse
Coming from a country with a cycle culture (Denmark) I find it quite amusing, as Bob says: Why are the suddenly called Super Highways? I have always cycled and even thou I have had 2 bikes stolen here in two years... I will continue cycle and support everything that has to do with cycling. The problem here is, that in many ways, 90% of the good thoughts are not thought through and in my view - very political. Meaning, if you want to create Cycle Super Duper Excellent Highway (I'm used to just call it a... a cycle path...), then they could be raised like the pavement, so it will be much more difficult for cars to park there. Furthermore are many mayor roads here in LDN e.g. 5 lanes wide, thou there is only 2 lanes in each direction - e.g. Kingsland Road - a mayor road leading north. Why not take a bit in both sides, let 4 lanes be 4 lanes and create a cycle path in both sides? 13 cyclists got killed in the traffic last year - mainly women and mainly lorries/HGVs. Present-wise way to many women, why? because they do not jump the lights and are hidden in the driver's blind spot. The cyclists appear not to be a natural part of the traffic - also because of these ridiculous 4 meters of cycle path painted on the road. It doesn't help, the cycle paths are needed to create a constant awareness, to make it easier for the drivers to spot the cyclists. It's a long collaboration, in which we must succeed - pedestrians, cyclists and drivers - we can all learn a bit...
- Mikael, London, 21/07/2010 23:59
Report abuse
@Ian Dickson - you evidently have no comprehension of the meaning of the word "menace". People are just trying to get from A to B just the same as you. Dont defend an illegally parked vehicle by trying to throw the issue with a myth.
- DJC, Hampshire, 21/07/2010 21:48
Report abuse
Ian, roads are maintained by general taxation, drivers don't pay for the upkeep of them. 'Road tax' was abolished by Winston Churchill in 1926. Most cyclists drive cars too.
- Adam Tranter, London, 21/07/2010 11:32
Report abuse
The vehicle is parked on a double-yellow line. The driver should therefore be required to pay the penalty.
- Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher, 21/07/2010 08:50
Report abuse
I would love to know where Barclays suddenly find 25 Million Pounds to pay for this rubbish,of course lads we are only getting small bonuses this year.!!!
- Davey_buoy, Chertsey, 20/07/2010 21:40
Report abuse
Arrogance.
A touch of old Liebour creeping into this lot methinks.
- Nora Kane, London, 20/07/2010 17:39
Report abuse
If cyclists paid any sort of contribution to the upkeep of our streets, I'd be more kindly disposed to them. As it is, it costs me over £200 for the privilege of driving on our streets while trying to avoid lunatics on two wheels who go anywhere they feel like, irrespective of the Highway Code or, indeed, any criteria of sensible behaviour. They are a total menace.
- Ian Dickson, Brighton, UK, 20/07/2010 17:13
Report abuse
The cycle lanes around Borough Road have been there for years and there are always cars parked on them, why on earth would a "cycling superhighway" make a difference?
- Bob, Cheam, 20/07/2010 14:09
Report abuse
You forgot to mention that he's not in a British car, you normally love to point out that sort of thing!
- Johnson Smith, Redhill, 20/07/2010 13:27
Report abuse
You forgot to mention that he's not driving a British car, you normally love to point out that sort of thing!
- Johnson Smith, Redhill, 20/07/2010 13:25
Report abuse
Looks perfectly parked to me.
- Mr S.Port, London, 20/07/2010 11:38
Report abuse
