http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/feb/23/brighton-hove-council-cycle-highway
Is this as bonkers as it sounds? Have they got any idea how building up a network of proper cycle routes works?
Brighton and Hove council plans to remove cycle highway at £1.1m costThe European-style cycle freeway is segregated from traffic and is key to getting more people cycling, say protesters
Brighton and Hove city council appears determined to abolish its cycle highway despite the fact that demolition will cost £1.1m.
Mary Mears, council leader, said the decision to remove the cycle lane which connects South Downs national park with Hove's seafront was a response to "concerns" from residents and users. She said: "We remain committed to the safety of the cycling fraternity. Unlike some other cycle lanes in the city, the Grand Avenue/Drive scheme is not well used or appreciated. Furthermore its removal will improve traffic flow along the coast road from Shoreham Harbour and across the city."
We're talking about rather more than a simple cycle lane. It is a European-style "cycle freeway", for the most part segregated from traffic by being set into the pavement behind the on-street parking. It was completed in 2008 as the centrepiece of Brighton and Hove's successful bid to become a Cycle Demonstration Town, with £3m in government funding provided by Cycling England in the glory days of 2005. It is part of the infrastructure that won the Transport Authority of the Year award only last year, when the council was commended for cycling improvements that saw cycling in the city increase by 27% since 2006.
In Lund, Sweden where I live they spend so much money on providing cycle lanes and support and it improves your quality of life so much. I can bike most places with my children, from the age of 3 with the youngest on a Isla bikes Rothan push along, No need to get stressed wondering if someone is going to knock you over or driving like Toad of Top Gear hall.
I would say implementing something like this in all UK cities would be a big step to improving fitness and well being and generally making or cities nicer places to live in. Maybe thats why so many UK people aspire to "Escape to the country" while the Europeans like living in the city.
