11:34 AM
Jo-Anne Rowney
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| John Griffiths |
CYCLING campaigners have invited the leader of H&F council to join them on a bike ride in the area’s most dangerous spots.
Hammersmith and Fulham Cyclists have called upon Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh to join them on a bike ride to highlight the dangers on the boroughs roads.
The route would cover Hammersmith Bridge, the gyratory, Shepherd’s Bush Green and Holland Park – the worst areas for cyclists.
John Griffiths of H&F Cyclists (pictured) said: "We suggest Cllr Greenhalgh should cycle with us around these places with his children to see why more should be done. The council say Hammersmith is a green borough and the gyratory is at the centre of it. They should make it an area to walk and cycle safely and cycling should be the priority above motor traffic.
"When companies build roads where there is more room they take cycling into account, but in the three major places where cyclists have difficulties it seems the council are not prepared take drastic measures to make it safer."
Mr Griffiths has previously met the council leader to ask for the lowering of the speed limit on Hammersmith Bridge and gyratory, but no change has been made to their transport plans.
The cyclist group feel it is even more important now as the council start a consultation on where to put Boris bikes docking stations after approving bringing the scheme to the borough and along with it more cyclists.
Mr Griffiths said: "The present scheme is good if there are a few cyclists, but what happens when the new bike riders take to the road and path?
"We’ve already said we want the roads to be made 20mph, unless there is a better suggestion, but now this is even more important with the Barclays Superhighway 9 being built and the Boris Bikes being introduced.
"Provision was made in the planning stages, and they are building an island and path, but now with the Boris Bikes as well as us cyclists there won’t be enough space.
"There will even more cyclists on the road, more inexperienced and insecure cyclists. In the areas like the gyratory and the bridge cyclists squeeze through the gaps in traffic. It’s dangerous."
But Mr Griffiths still holds out hope for the new scheme to draw attention to the problems cyclists face.
"Hopefully we can use the council’s enthusiasm for the Boris bike scheme to see how important it is to fix the problems, enforce a slower speed limit, and give more room for cyclists."
Cllr Nicholas Botterill said: "I don’t think I need any persuading to believe that cycling around such monster gyratories presents riders with many dangers.
"We are supportive of the Super Highway 9 and I know that officers have been talking to representatives of the various cyclists groups about some of the finer details."
Read at http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-and-hammersmith-news/2011/10/31/h-f-council-leader-challenged-to-test-out-cycling-danger-spots-82029-29694805/#ixzz1cxInFKNk
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