This story has been covered by all the media in London today

Cyclists allowed wrong way up one-way streets - Telegraph

Black-cab boys don't like it. I'm sure that anybody who has to earn a living driving a delivery vehicle up there isn't going to be too chuffed.

The council is not even going to demarcate a cycle lane.

I wonder what the motor insurer's position is going to be when the first multi-million pound claim is presented by an injured cyclist. I don't think the current version of the Highway Code covers operation of a road in this manner or the national Highways Acts, except in most general terms by which powers are delegated to Local Authorities. So, presumably, at best, the measure will only be supported under local By-law.

I can see the ambulance chaser's queing-up now to sue the Local Authority !

This is from the same council that decided, some time ago, to de-clutter the streetscape by removing general street furniture (e.g.Pedestrian railings) and signage. This change, at vast expense to the local Council Tax payers, was justified on the grounds that it reduced accidents, based on a piece of research conducted in Sweden which had concluded that drivers slow down when faced with increase hazard levels. I'm not so sure that conclusion has universal application ? It also had the effect of making the streets look prettier, which in the Royal Borough Kensington and Chelsea of course means higher property prices.

I'm sure, Kensington and Chelsea, given half a chance would turn certain parts of the borough into gated communities. Given, this seemingly pro-cycling measure might have the effect of putting-off drivers from using these streets, are we seeing the introduction, by stealth, of car exclusion zones ?

Nick,

4/06/08

In answer to your question, without the rhetoric, yes.

In Lancaster where we just moved from there has been a one way street with a cycle path running the wrong way up it for years.... but at least there is a lane and clear sign posting to alert drivers pulling out of a side street.

If i were a cyclyst i wouldn't really feal comfortable using that street!!!

So if people ignore the law, we should change the law? When can we expect speed limits on extra-urban motorways to be repealed then?

So if people ignore the law, we should change the law? When can we expect speed limits on extra-urban motorways to be repealed then?

Exactly.

Unfortunately, I think this is just a Tory run borough taking a leaf out of New Labour's bumper book of spin, aka "Dumbed down democracy" - The narrative for which goes as follows."You're an unusually vocal and easily gullible part of the electorate, therefore you can be told that you can have any lollipop you want in the shop, no matter how undeliverable, ethically or morally dodgy, non-sensical it may seem to the remainder of the population that still have functioning grey matter. And, if in the process of appeasing you publicly, we can effectively satisfy the unpublished demands of a much more important group, then so be it."

I think Kensington and Chelsea's have just subverted cycling lobby's campaign for the council's own agenda . . . If Harry Hill organsied a fight in that Royal Borough between the cyclists and the multi-million pound home owners . . .who'd win ?

Nick,

5/06/08

most cyclist dont obey the highway code anyway so why will this make much difference.

nfortunately, I think this is just a Tory run borough taking a leaf out of New Labour's bumper book of spin, aka "Dumbed down democracy" - The narrative for which goes as follows."You're an unusually vocal and easily gullible part of the electorate, therefore you can be told that you can have any lollipop you want in the shop, no matter how undeliverable, ethically or morally dodgy, non-sensical it may seem to the remainder of the population that still have functioning grey matter. And, if in the process of appeasing you publicly, we can effectively satisfy the unpublished demands of a much more important group, then so be it."

Although I'm a keen cyclist I completely agree with you about the way 'Dumbed-down' politics is going; well put!

Don't forget the other side of this coin as well; the attacks on minority targets that everyone loves to hate: gun clubs, jet-skiers etc.