Building Elevated Bicycle Roads to Connect Underground and Subway Stations in London
Summary
In this article, we discuss the proposal by the City of London to build elevated bicycle roads that would connect underground and subway stations. The article explores the potential benefits of such an initiative and highlights similar projects in other cities that prioritize pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
Table of Contents
- London’s Proposal for Elevated Bicycle Roads
- Challenging the Dominance of Cars in Cities
- Prioritizing Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure in City Planning
London’s Proposal for Elevated Bicycle Roads
The City of London has proposed building bicycle roads that would connect underground and subway stations. These elevated roads would have walls or fences on two sides and would require payment to use them, much like the subway. While the idea is interesting, it is uncertain whether it will ever be built due to potential funding and political issues. The proposed bicycle roads would complement the existing bicycle superhighways on the ground.
Challenging the Dominance of Cars in Cities
Similar initiatives are being undertaken in other cities, such as New York, to encourage bicycle transit. The dominance of cars in cities is being challenged by developments that prioritize pedestrians and bicycles. For example, the Bedford Zero Emission development in England and Masdar City in Abu Dhabi are designed to minimize car use. Some commercial developments, such as The Grove in Los Angeles and Main Street in Disneyland, have already implemented car-free zones.
Prioritizing Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure in City Planning
The speaker in the video reminisces about lying down in the middle of the street with friends as a child, despite knowing it was unsafe. They reflect on how streets are perceived as belonging to cars and how this mindset needs to change. The speaker suggests designing parts of cities for pedestrians and cyclists, with services located in alleys to prioritize people over cars. Governments could learn from these examples and prioritize pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in their city planning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building elevated bicycle roads to connect underground and subway stations in London is an interesting proposal that could complement existing bicycle superhighways on the ground. However, it is uncertain whether it will be built due to potential funding and political issues. Nevertheless, the proposal highlights the need to challenge the dominance of cars in cities and prioritize pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in city planning.
