Killing of cyclists: enough is enough
by bikesalive
Polite meetings and symbolic action are having no effect. We need to act. The time has surely come for cyclists to (nonviolently) defend ourselves.
Transport for London (TfL) is quite clear that it is deliberately putting cyclists’ lives at risk (not only passively, but actively by designing dangerous “cycle superhighways”), in preference to re-balancing road usage to prioritise people over machines. TfL says that nothing must be done to slow down motor vehicles.
On the contrary, restraining the inherent violence of motor traffic is essential for a safe and civilised city. Much of the traffic which threatens and poisons us should not even exist in its current form. For instance, there is no reason for most journeys by private car in inner London – other than the selfishness of the driver.
Major changes at busy, dangerous junctions are essential. There must be cycle lanes and cycle priority at places like Kings Cross, irrespective of the slowing of motor vehicles. Traffic lights must be rephased to have longer gaps between conflicting green phases, so that slow-moving traffic such as bikes, and pedestrians, are well clear of the junction before the next vehicles get a green light. This wouldn’t be needed if drivers obeyed the rule “green = go if the way is clear” (not “green = go, regardless”) – but they don’t.
It has been suggested that if TfL won’t make an immediate commitment to such basic essentials, then cyclists and others must take our own action.
So what next?
What if scores, perhaps hundreds, of cyclists decided to come together to peacefully close down a dangerous junction like Kings Cross for an hour? We could – according to taste – ride very slowly round the one-way system, or simply not move at all for an hour.
What if, unless TfL made firm commitments to make changes, hundreds of us returned the following week and closed the junction for an hour again? What if we did this every week until there was a guarantee of the changes needed to make us safer?
And once one junction was made safer, what if we then chose another dangerous junction, and closed it down every week until…
In this spirit, it’s been suggested that on Monday 9 January (the first working Monday of the New Year, and barely 3 months after the last time a cyclist was slaughtered at Kings Cross) cyclists gather at the York Way / Pentonville Road junction, at Kings Cross, to calm (and preferably stop) the Kings Cross traffic for one hour, from 6pm to 7pm.
Will you be there (at least in a supportive role, even if you don’t want to be involved in stopping the traffic)?
Please spread this message far and wide.
Contact “Bikes Alive” on bikesalive@london.com
[21 December 2011]
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From:
Albert Beale, 5 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, London N1 (worldpeace@gn.apc.org)
I think it’s sensible that this initiative doesn’t make very detailed demands about exactly what cycle priority measures should be put in place; the overwhelming need at junctions like Kings Cross is simply to slow and calm motor vehicles, and give much greater priority to pedestrians and cyclists. Whatever scheme TfL might come up with, unless they admit that the end result is that motor vehicles will be fewer and slower (and probably, on average, smaller), then we know they haven’t done what’s necessary and hence resistance must continue!
While TfL says that all its plans are against the background that vehicles mustn’t be delayed, we know that – whatever scheme they come up with – they haven’t yet got the right solution.
When insisting that the more dangerous and powerful (ie motorists) must no longer behave in a way that endangers the weaker (ie cyclists and pedestrians), then – by analogy – those of us who cycle must also take care not to behave in ways which endanger pedestrians.
After all, the power relationship between a cyclist and a pedestrian is a _bit_ similar to that between a motorist and a cyclist – although of course the latter is on a far worse and more dangerous scale.
Keith Lucas, London WC1 (badhoc@london.com)
This is awesome – the more people we get angry about this, the quicker we’ll start seeing results.
My only worry, having done this in Euston Road and Blackfriars as part of Climate Rush, is how it’s reported in the media. People don’t like cyclists, so we found it quite difficult to get positive coverage, especially from ‘non-believers’. I don’t know how you get past this (maybe negative coverage isn’t an issue?) but i’d be really interested to see what the response to this is.
Good luck!
Andrew Tobert, E5, Andrew.tobert@gmail.com
Davy Starkey , se8 4af ,davy@justmymail.co.uk
Someone I know died cycling last year in London. So admire the direct action idea. I do find it slightly disappointing that no mention of Critical Mass. Which has been meeting on the last friday of the month for 15+ years in London and many cities across the world. Raising awareness about cycling and issues relating to it. So if people out their can’t make Monday 9/1/12. Go along to critical mass [reclaim the streets with bicycles] 18.30 southbank under waterloo bridge last Friday of the month. Lastly there are no leaders at critical mass so if a group of you felt strongly about this particular junction lead the mass to it. Good luck for Monday, I would come along but am in Cornwall.
Cheers
Davy
Watkin Morgan. watkinmorgan@zoho.com. Lewisham SE13
Went to Kings X at the last minute after seeing your event mentioned in The Standard. I had almost forgotten how ghastly the traffic is on the Euston Road. Give me the Elephant and Castle any day!
Definitely a worthwhile way to spend an hour. Lots of pedestrians asking questions and some taking part, which was nice. Not sure if there will ever be a “pedestrian movement”, but here’s hoping. Not sure about the “arrest cards” though? This could put some people off – and at least for now, the police do seem to be on their best behaviour.
Keep up the good work.