A "Cycling Utopia"

leaskovski · 30 Dec 2013 at 22:09

So it looks like they are thinking about making use of the space above the rail network in London...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25549789

The Beeeeeeeeeb said:
Plans to build a network of cycle paths high above the streets of London are being put forward for consultation.

SkyCycle is a 136-mile (219 km) route, with the first phase, proposed from east London to Liverpool Street Station, costing more than £200m.

If approved, the 10 routes would be built above existing rail lines and would take about 20 years to complete.

Sounds quite cool, however it is a lot of money. Not sure if there could be better ways to spend that amount of dosh on the current cycling network, i.e. make proper cycle lanes instead of the hybrid things that they have in places.

Plus, by the time it will be finished, cars will be flying around anyway, and the roads will be clear.

W!ll · 30 Dec 2013 at 22:16

Seems like a rather overkill solution to the problem?

Theophany · 30 Dec 2013 at 22:52

This should be in the Motors subforum for ultimate lulz.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MOW DOWN THESE SELF-RIGHTEOUS LYCRA MORONS IF THEY'RE NOT ON THE ROAD? THEY DON'T EVEN PAY ROAD TAX! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!

PMKeates · 30 Dec 2013 at 22:55

I think it looks great!

Dis86 · 30 Dec 2013 at 22:58

PMKeates said:
I think it looks great!

All that money saved on bodywork and resprays!

sunama · 30 Dec 2013 at 23:36

It does look good and very futuristic, whereby cyclists have their own "road".

DB_SamX · 31 Dec 2013 at 00:01

There is a something similar in NY. Conversion of a disused railway viaduct for green pedestrian route across town. I've walked its length and it's pretty amazing what they have done with it.

I'd hope they would do the same, but London's looks devoid of any greenery.

http://www.thehighline.org/galleries/images

Russinating · 31 Dec 2013 at 00:12

That artists impression has been around for ages. Doubt it will ever come to fruition tbh.

Also the problem with cycle paths is some people cycle at 5pm and some people cycle at 30mph so it gets pretty annoying if it's narrow and you're actually trying to get somewhere.

Maccapacca · 31 Dec 2013 at 00:14

I thought it was good until I saw it was conceived by a landscape gardener / designer.

SpeedFreak · 31 Dec 2013 at 00:28

God, to think what that money could do elsewhere. Life does exist outside of London.

CaptainRAVE · 31 Dec 2013 at 00:37

One step closer to multi level roads, access ways and a true underworld

Hades · 31 Dec 2013 at 00:43

Now how will they jump red lights? THIS HASN'T BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH !

touch · 31 Dec 2013 at 00:47

Dis86 said:
All that money saved on bodywork and resprays!

Most of the bodywork is free on the NHS but you're right that you'll save a bit my not needing to respray your bike

box · 31 Dec 2013 at 01:00

Looks great

grudas · 31 Dec 2013 at 01:01

Hades said:
Now how will they jump red lights? THIS HASN'T BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH !

Lately as a regular cyclist I've been paying attention to drivers.. And you can see 2-3 cars at once jumping red lights quite often..

its odd that just the cyclist gets marked as the 'redlightjumper'

it is quite nice idea tbh but IMO it could be done cheaper and IMO east London is not the place to start.. First should be central London and then extend it to other areas of london.. Central is way to busy when it comes to cyclists..

also I agree with the speed problem.. I overtake 90% of the cyclists I meet on the road I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to sit behind someone going at 8mph..

Hades · 31 Dec 2013 at 01:22

grudas said:
Lately as a regular cyclist I've been paying attention to drivers.. And you can see 2-3 cars at once jumping red lights quite often.. its odd that just the cyclist gets marked as the 'redlightjumper'

I agree that some car drivers jump reds when they have just turned red and they should be stopped. But honestly around 80% of cyclists jump reds blatantly with no intention of stopping even though they have been red for a minute. The difference is that the car drivers risk it at the last minute (still bad) but the cyclists simply ignore traffic lights completely.

grudas · 31 Dec 2013 at 01:43

Hades said:
I agree that some car drivers jump reds when they have just turned red and they should be stopped. But honestly around 80% of cyclists jump reds blatantly with no intention of stopping even though they have been red for a minute. The difference is that the car drivers risk it at the last minute (still bad) but the cyclists simply ignore traffic lights completely.

Honestly? Not true a lot of cyclists stop at lights actually more of them stop than jump! It's a rare sight for me on my commute to work to see a cyclist jump a red light at the junction for example

crossings is a different thing IMO and if it's empty and no one is crossing I'll jump the red light too

Hades · 31 Dec 2013 at 01:49

grudas said:
Honestly? Not true a lot of cyclists stop at lights actually more of them stop than jump! It's a rare sight for me on my commute to work to see a cyclist jump a red light at the junction for example crossings is a different thing IMO and if it's empty and no one is crossing I'll jump the red light too

Honestly we must live in different countries then... although you seem to admit to ignoring red lights on some occasions too. Red means stop by the way. It doesn't mean "go if you personally think it's ok". Genuine question... while I appreciate jumping an empty crossing light is probably completely safe, would you do it in a car?

Phantom Shadow · 31 Dec 2013 at 01:55

Personally I can't remember ever seeing a cyclist jump a red light. I have however stopped at a red light and then been overtaken by a white van who went straight through the junction (cross roads, 1 lane in each direction no left turn lane or anything, so had to go on the wrong side of the road to go around me), followed by a motorbike 30 seconds later.

Someone needs to tell cyclists that red means stop, but someone also needs to tell motorists that yellow/amber != green

Cycle paths on their own level up in the air? I'm not really sold tbh, sounds pointlessly expensive and unfeasable.

Tefal · 31 Dec 2013 at 02:00

Phantom Shadow said:
Personally I can't remember ever seeing a cyclist jump a red light. I have however stopped at a red light and then been overtaken by a white van who went straight through the junction (cross roads, 1 lane in each direction no left turn lane or anything, so had to go on the wrong side of the road to go around me), followed by a motorbike 30 seconds later.

so two vehicles quite a far apart both went around you and through? you sure you weren't looking at the wrong lights?

A "Cycling Utopia"

Tea Drinker