| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:FYI. Hammersmith Bridge | |
| Posted by: | Francis Rowe | |
| Date/Time: | 20/01/26 09:28:00 |
| Paul, the vast majority of journeys of any distance in London cannot be made without sharing road space with motor vehicles and most people commuting over Hammersmith Bridge will face far more challenging locations on their trip. You’ll be aware that the vast majority of all collisions, including those involving cyclists, take place at junctions and that statistically cycling with traffic along a straight road (or over a straight bridge) is close to riskless. Michael hasn’t been able to back up his claims about collisions on the bridge so most of us will be concluding they never happened. You are right that some people currently cycling over the bridge will choose to go back to the bus, their cars or Ubers when it reopens but I think you underestimate the culture change that has taken place in the Barnes area and many will stick with their bikes. While crossing the reopened bridge may be statistically safe, it won’t feel safe for a less confident cyclist and, sadly the sight of small children on their bikes and trikes being shepherded across the bridge will end. I’m not disputing this is a cost of reopening but it is only involves wheeling a bike the short distance across the bridge to resume the ride on the Thames Path. The benefits of reopening including a restoration of public transport access to a significant population area and an end to the traffic blight in parts of Mortlake and Putney massively outweigh any downsides. I’m sceptical of the short-term modal shift benefits that you refer to. Parents cycling with their children to school is fantastic to see but my observation is that most of these trips are an alternative to walking. Most people in Chiswick with primary school aged children live a short distance away. The benefit here is longer term – the creation of a more cycling orientated culture but it will take decades to see the full benefits of this – meanwhile we need to deal with this ‘too many cars’ issue you always refer to. The most effective and practical is more and faster buses and that includes those going over Hammersmith Bridge. If you doubt that and believe that the majority of people who need to use Hammersmith Bridge or are impacted by its closure would like to see it remain shut, organise a rally in this cause. If you get more people at it than the one this weekend, I’d need a rethink. Micheal, I’m delighted to see Paul Campbell is alive and well. Do thank him for sharing my work! |