Cycling in Barnet

This blog post is copied with permission from the Barnet Cycling campaign. Although better known for fighting for car parking charges to be lowered and cash meters to be reinstalled Mr Mustard is all in favour of better and safer facilities for cyclists and occasionally he is one although usually on 2 wheels with an engine attached and that is also a mode of travel that carries risk

The times they are a’changing in Barnet and now the time has come to show the council that there is broad support for a more pro cycling stance. Barnet have expressed interest in the Mini Holland program being put forward by the Mayor’s office. With £30-40 million on offer for cycling and urban realm improvements to our borough, there is real scope for change.

Find out more about the Mini Hollands proposals…

Our previous post
 

GLA Press release

The exact details of what would/could be done are being discussed now but we would like to put forward Barnet LCC’s vision of what is possible. There are great potential benefits to ALL Barnet residents whether they cycle or not.

The Mini Hollands program contains a wide range of measures but includes the reallocation of road space to make it easier for local people to choose cycling as their preferred mode of transport for local trips. The creation of segregated routes on some main roads and the removal of rat runs in neighbouring wards will help create the conditions that many people say would get them onto their bikes.

Additionally, the Barclays Cycle Superhighway Scheme could be extended into Barnet, unlocking additional funding and providing a strong spinal route through the borough further enhancing the benefits of the Mini Hollands scheme.

Where will this space come from? The answer will be dependent on the specific conditions. Sometimes it will mean the loss of a traffic lane and sometimes some space will be made from narrowing the pavement. There will also be the loss of the occasional parking space. While we are fully aware that parking is a “hot” issue in Barnet, we believe that the business case for segregated cycling provision on main shopping streets (eg. North Finchley) is very well proven. It has been shown again and again that these sort of facilities increase footfall and turnover where they are put in.

Please see links at the bottom of this post for more about the business case for these sort of changes.

What about pedestrians? Don’t segregated facilities make it hard to cross the road? The fact is that it is hard to cross the road now. Badly designed bike lanes introduce problems for pedestrians and for cyclists alike but well designed ones are of benefit to all. Here at Barnet LCC, we are going to be making sure that whatever gets built conforms to the very highest standards as shown to work well, for all users, in other countries.

Getting more people cycling locally (particularly on the school run) will reduce morning congestion, making it easier for those who must drive. Many people would like to cycle more but are put off by the hostile road environment. Indeed the urban realm benefits in our high streets and neighbourhoods will be felt by all residents. There really is a huge prize on offer here. We are pleased to have the support of prominent locals.

Encouraging active lifestyles will help to keep people healthy and fit into older age, which is very important for an ageing population. It also encourages the use of local shops and services, which ensures that those facilities are supported and available for older  and disabled people who need them nearby.
- Julia Hines, Age UK Barnet

A great idea. Very happy to support this positive urban regeneration initiative.
-Helen Michael, Cafe Buzz, North Finchley

What can you do? You can let Barnet know that you want this to happen! Cllr. Dean Cohen is the new Environment and Transport chap. His contact details are given below.

Please either write your own letter/email to him or simply copy/paste the one we have provided below.

We need as many of these as possible by mid September, so please do sent one in and ask all your friends/contacts to do likewise. Together we can secure over £30 million for cycling and urban regeneration in Barnet!

Cllr. Dean Cohen – Cabinet Member for Environment

6 Russell Gardens
London
NW11 9NL

Mobile:  07887 778509

cllr.d.cohen@barnet.gov.uk

Here is a simple form letter.

Please do remember to include your name and full address when sending it.

Thank you for your support!

Barnet LCC

Cllr Dean Cohen,
I am writing to you as a local resident to let you know that I fully support a move toward a more cycle friendly Barnet. Our borough is well known for its focus on family life and good schools. The Mini Holland scheme proposed by Boris Johnson will represent a great step forward in an area that Barnet has traditionally been rather weak on. More and more people are choosing to cycle and many more would with the support that such a scheme offers. Reallocation of road space is the right next step to grow cycling beyond its current low level. This is a chance to have the best facilities in London, if not the country. 

Barnet deserves the best.

I wish you all the best luck in your pursuit of the funding on offer.

Best

4 wheels bad; 2 wheels even worse

Transport Local Implementation Plan

Mr Mustard's previous blog was about how difficult life will become for motorists in Barnet but it seems to be worse for cyclists whose lives are at risk whenever they are near motor vehicles. Mr Mustard is often aboard his powered two wheeler and occasionally rides his pushbike. When in a car he does give other road users, whether cycling , walking, or on horseback, plenty of room and consideration.

The provision for cyclists in Barnet is poor. Here is a recent submisison by Barnet Cyclists ( who have no idea they will be on this blog )

click to enlarge; back to return

and here is the Transport for London summary.

	Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Feedback Form
	Overall Score	Inadequate
	Dear Jane and colleagues - Many thanks for submitting your draft LIP on 14 February 2011. You will see below a summary of TfL's comments and in each of the tabs within this spreadsheet additional detail is provided on the recommended actions to address the matters raised. I hope you find this feedback helpful and I would encourage you to meet with TfL officers to discuss the comments provided. Best regards. David Rowe, Head of Borough Projects & Programmes.
	London borough	Barnet
	Date received	14 February 2011
	Name of borough officer	Jane Shipman
	Date of TfL feedback
	Name of accountable TfL Manager
	Email
	Telephone
	Overall comments and summary of actions
	As currently drafted this LIP does not adequately address the requirements of the GLA Act 1999 or the Second LIP Guidance issued in May 2010. This is principally because the objectives and delivery plan interventions as described will not adequately deliver the MTS Goals as required by the GLA Act 1999 "A LIP must contain each particular borough's proposals for the implementation in its area of the policies and proposals (or as interpreted regarding the revised MTS, the MTS Goals) contained in the MTS". At present they are too narrowly defined to satisfactorily address the MTS Goals in their entirety. Unless the final draft addresses this issue it will not be considered adequate for Mayoral approval. Other issues that need to be addressed are as follows: - there are no demonstrable links between the objectives and the SRTP, SCS and LDF - the timelines attached to the objectives do not adequately reflect the timeframe of the MTS - there is not enough information in the 'Local Context' section to adequately provide the evidence required to support the objectives - similarly, there is not enough information to support the objectives or delivery plan regarding transport issues in the borough - more information is required regarding the SEA, EqIA and HAMP - information is required about the borough's AQAP - the timeframes of the delivery plan interventions need to reflect those of the objectives - the types of intervention as described do not adequately support delivery of the targets - a table showing all potential sources of funding needs to be added - more detail is required regarding the cycle parking and better streets high priority outputs - a risk assessment needs to be added - the cycling mode share and total casualties targets are not sufficiently ambitious and should be revised - information is required on the means by which progress against the performance indicators will be monitored - there are a number of statements regarding bus services that requires further discussion and agreement with TfL prior to drafting the final LIP.
	Strategic Fit	Not adequate		See the summary above and the more detailed comments in the Strategic Fit sheet.
	Consultation	More info req.		See the more detailed comments in the Strategic Fit
	Programme of Investment	Not adequate		See the summary above and the more detailed comments in the Strategic Fit
	Performance Management Plan	More info req.		Refer to comments in the Strategic Fit and Performance Management sheets.
	Next Steps/Timeline
	* Please note the Annual Spending Submission (ASS) is a separate process.

sorry this chart should be in the empty box above.

As you probably noticed the 4 box blue chart is complete rubbish as the boxes 3 & 4 should refer to 2011.

Here is the accurate summary of my informant.

Thought you might be interested in the responses to the proposed Transport LIP (Local Implementation Plan). A big fat fail from TfL

It is only a couple of years until your local councillor puffs up your drive. Ask them about the provision for cyclists and why a lovely blue superhighway was refused and if you don't like the answer, vote with your wheels.

Yours, a bit out of breath

Mr Mustard