Transport for London have proposed to make the streets they manage in central London 20mph by 2020. Brent Cycling Campaign discussed this proposal and sent the following response.

“This is the response on behalf of Brent Cycling Campaign. We are the local group of the London Cycling Campaign in Brent, representing approximately 250 supporters in the London Borough of Brent, and anyone else who wishes to improve facilities for cycling within and without the Borough.

We support this scheme for the following reasons:

• Lowering speeds to 20 mph will reduce potential harm in the event that a collision does occur.
• Lower speeds will reduce the likelihood of collisions due to reducing stopping distances.
• Lower speeds will make crossing roads easier for pedestrians.
• We support the use of raised tables where these are combined with signal controlled, or uncontrolled crossings.

We have the following concerns with the scheme:

• Engineering measures proposed must be evaluated for possible negative impacts on cycling. For example speed humps and poorly designed (non-sinusoidal) speed tables can lead to conflict for people cycling by introducing pinch points where motor vehicles and people on bikes are forced into the same space.
• 20 mph limits by themselves are not sufficient to improve the environment for cycling. We understand that TfL only has control over the TLRN, and that these are typically considered main roads, however TfL must work with boroughs to reduce total through motor traffic on some streets.
• Where motor traffic cannot be reduced 20 mph must not be considered sufficient to make a road suitable and safe for cycling. Separate space for cycling must be provided anywhere where motor traffic flows remain high.
• We are concerned that TfL aims for self-enforcing limits. We understand that this includes speed camera enforcement, and that the police force in London is stretched, however driver behaviour is influenced more effectively by an immediate police stop, rather than by a delayed letter.
• We are concerned about possible effects of removing the centre white line on close-passing of people on bikes. We suggest TfL investigates the evidence surrounding this approach before pursuing it.”