Traffic calming designed to be ‘cyclist-friendly’ has proved popular with cyclists, according to the London Borough of Brent.
Brent has replaced traditional humps on a London Cycle Network+ route with sinusoidal humps, to improve conditions for cyclists.
Jared Plumridge, senior engineer in Brent’s traffic team, said that early trials of the sinusoidal humps at one site had found similar reductions in speed as for traditional humps, but with a more comfortable ride for cyclists.
Plumridge said convincing councillors that replacing existing humps with new ones was worthwhile had been ‘difficult’.
But 83% of cyclists preferred the new design – featuring a shallower initial rise designed to reduce the jolt cyclists can experience when they ride over them – and 66% reported a noticeable difference in ride quality. Brent now plans to implement more of the humps.
Chris Margetts, Brent’s head of traffic management, played a key role in making this case for the measures, which also included tightening the geometry of a mini-roundabout. He had highlighted the recent successful installation of sinusoidal humps in neighbouring Islington to local politicians.
Brent’s new humps were introduced as part of £565,000 investment in London Cycle Network+ improvements in 2007/08. Brent successfully bid for extra funding for the improvements from Transport for London, on top of the £350,000 initially secured. The borough has received £463,000 for 2008/09.
The London Cycle Network+ initiative aims to introduce a 900km network of continuous, improved routes for cyclists across Greater London by 2010. A spokeswoman for TfL said that at least 630km of the London Cycle Network+ had been completed to date.
The election of a new mayor for London could prompt changes to the programme. The spokeswoman said: ‘We are working with the mayor to consider what measures are necessary to meet his aspiration for London to be a truly cycle-friendly city.
‘This will include looking at networks such as the London Cycle Network+, to ensure we provide the best-possible conditions for cyclists.’
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