London increased cycling but often more dangerous

[vorsprung]

Norman (London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman) knows these gaps put the city’s growing numbers of riders at risk. “While we have seen an increase in cycling, we have seen a risk of collisions go down but only where there is cycle infrastructure,” he says. Where there isn’t the infrastructure, risks have increased because more people are riding where there aren’t cycle lanes, he says.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-23/london-bike-boom-risks-becoming-a-victim-of-its-own-success

The article mentions culture wars with councils electing people that are anti infrastructure

[Peter]

It isn't the councils electing people, surely?

[toontra]

The tide has turned in London.  At peak hours there are more bikes than cars in many areas.  The vast increase in hire/electric bikes is definitely part of the reason.

If I was a car driver I probably would feel slightly "bullied" or certainly inconvenienced by the number of cyclists getting in my way and slowing me down - but I'm not 

It's the way of the future - folks better get used to it.  We are approaching critical mass!

[Morat]

When I'm in London, Lime bikes are now my go to transport unless it's really tipping down.

[toontra]

When I'm in London, Lime bikes are now my go to transport unless it's really tipping down.

Yep.  My son uses them regularly for work and social stuff.  He's never considered himself a "cyclist" or even owned a bike (much to my dismay  ).

[Morat]

On the wider point though... late last century when I was fit and had a full head of hair... I would ride my bike to the station at Camberley and take it to London, then ride to never-became-Mrs-Morat's place in Earl's Court. People thought I was mad to ride in London and it was, truthfully, genuinely scary in places. Back thenI was used to cycling in Liverpool which was scary for other reasons. ie "ey Mate, givvus a go on yer bike?"

[trundle]

It would be interesting to see if the stats are split by area. I find the centre of London much safer than the suburbs. Which is a mix of having many more people cycling, and excellent infrastructure. We thin out in the suburbs, and often the "infra" is awful: A line painted to keep us in the gutter. Or a 50m long cycle lane that gives way 4 times. And people then think, "entitled cyclist - I paid for that cycle lane: Use it!" Not knowing how awful it is, because they don't cycle.

[yoav]

I didn't see anything in the article which supports that cycling is "more dangerous".
Depends, of course, on what you mean by dangerous.
The number of KSI per km ridden?
Or just the perception of increased danger?

[trundle]

Very true. As you suggest perhaps this is absolute numbers and not adjusted for distance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bromptonlad]

I miss the commuting/racing along the blue highways at rush hour... been 10 years now...  :'(

[yoav]

The article doesn’t contain any statistics on bike collisions and injuries. I think the OP’s thread title is misleading.