Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, has urged cyclists to support candidates in this week’s council elections who have pledged improvements to cycling infrastructure.
Thousands of cyclists, including dozens from Croydon, pedalled into central London yesterday to call for safer roads
Lambert was speaking ahead of the Space for Cycling Big Ride staged in London and cities across the country, when thousands took to their bikes to call for more cycling-friendly roads to be provided. This includes more protected cycling space on streets, to reduce maximum speed allowed for certain roads, and to introduce further traffic-free lanes.
Only a few hours before the beginning of the ride, a cyclist was hospitalised in London after a collision with a van on Shoreditch High Street. Last Tuesday, the latest cycling death was reported in London, when Abdelkhalak Lahyani was killed in an accident in Elephant and Castle.
In 2012, 118 cyclists were killed on Britain’s roads. Figures from the Department from Transport confirm that killings and injuries in 2012 have increased by 32 per cent compared to the period between 2005 and 2009.
Lambert said: “A sustainable transport policy means more facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
Green MEP Jean Lambert: backing Space for Cycling and urging voters to support local election candidates who do
“We know that if more people get around the city by bike or on foot it’s better for everyone – both in terms of improving London’s appalling air quality, and the direct health benefits enjoyed by the people concerned.
“I am proud that all the Green Party candidates asked by the London Cycling Campaign support local measures to make cycling safer and easier in their boroughs – and I hope all the suggested measures can be put in place soon.”
Jean Lambert is one of eight MEPs representing London. She was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 and is seeking re-election in this Thursday’s European elections.
Inside Croydon’s recent coverage of the local elections:
- Policy analysis 1: The incinerator
- Policy analysis 2: Hammersfield
- Tories accused of ‘lies on a grand scale’ on Council Tax
- Conservatives snub hustings as sham candidates exposed
- Threat of UKIP forces Tories to press the panic button
- Questions mount over political influence at council
- Council allowances and local politicians’ secret consensus
- The list of candidates for the May 22 local elections
Coming to Croydon
- Coulsdon East local election hustings, May 19
- St Giles’ primary school open morning, May 21
- David Lean Cinema: The Rocket, May 22
- Songs From The Ledge, Spread Eagle Theatre, May 23
- Greek Myths: stories and mask-making, May 27
- Howard Marks: Scholar, Smuggler, Prisoner, Scribe, May 29
- David Lean Cinema: Dallas Buyers Club, May 29
- Tales from Ancient Greece, Upper Norwood Library, May 29
- Upper Norwood Library Book Club, May 31
- Stitch Pitch quilting workshop, Upper Norwood Library, June 2
- Croydon Tech City “summit”, June 6
- An Improvised Murder, Spread Eagle Theatre, June 7
- Lakes Playground Action Group fun day, June 14
- Elm Tree Cottage garden open day, June 15
- Norwood Society Talk: The Concrete Church, June 19
- Classic Car Show at Purley Rotary Fields, June 22
- Crystal Palace Overground Festival, June 26-29
- Warnings to the Curious, Spread Eagle Theatre, June 27
- South Norwood Allotments open day, June 28
- Fragile, Spread Eagle Theatre, July 24-26
- Elm Tree Cottage garden open day, Aug 10
- Norwood Society Talk: War Memorials, Sep 18
- Norwood Society Talk: From Fire Station to Theatre, Oct 16
- Norwood Society Talk: Lambeth’s Archives, Nov 20
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I think we can all support this call to make more safe space available for cyclists.
It is therefore with disappointment that the much-vaunted bridge across East Croydon station has not provided the cycle and pedestrian link to the town centre. During the redevelopment consultation events it was recalled that there were assurances that this bridge would provide a safe link to the town. Cyclists, obeying the highway code have little alternative but to use the congested highways and compete with trams, buses, trucks and cars.
As it is, the bridge is only for ticket holders, currently only accessible to from Dingwall Rd.
Another lost opportunity in Croydon!
Interesting. What the Green Party don’t tell us very often is this, quoted directly from their manifesto:
“We will work to create a world of global inter-responsibility in which the concept of a “British National” is irrelevant and outdated.
Sounds great doesn’t it!!!! Makes riding a bicycle seem as important as a National Health Service.