Cycle lanes and routes

To encourage cycling - and make it as easy and safe as possible - the Council, together with other London boroughs, is implementing the London Cycle Network of strategic cycle routes. These are funded by Transport for London (TfL).

Cycle routes include dedicated cycle paths, cycle lanes on the public highway, advanced stop lines at traffic lights and other features such as toucan crossings. These are signal-controlled, push button crossings for use by both cyclists and pedestrians. In order that drivers are made aware of the presence of cycle lanes, green carriageway surfacing is used at critical locations, such as across the mouths of junctions and on the approaches to traffic lights.

Walking and cycling

To encourage cycling - and make it as easy and safe as possible - the Council, together with other London boroughs, is implementing the London Cycle Network of strategic cycle routes. These are funded by Transport for London (TfL).

Cycle routes include dedicated cycle paths, cycle lanes on the public highway, advanced stop lines at traffic lights and other features such as toucan crossings. These are signal-controlled, push button crossings for use by both cyclists and pedestrians. In order that drivers are made aware of the presence of cycle lanes, green carriageway surfacing is used at critical locations, such as across the mouths of junctions and on the approaches to traffic lights.

Cycle lanes and routes

Toucan Signals

These are special traffic signals, similar to pelican crossings - they have a red man and green man to show when it is safe to cross - but they also have an extra signal, a green cycle. This means that cyclists need not dismount, but can cross over at the same time as pedestrians.

Advanced Cycle Stop Lines

Within ordinary traffic signalled junctions, there are two sets of stop lines on each approach. The one further from the signals is for general traffic, and the one nearer to the signals is for cyclists.

This is to give cyclists a safe waiting area in front of traffic so they may be seen and to give space for cyclists wishing to perform turns at junctions where they need to move from the left to the right at the stop line (or vice versa). General traffic should stop at the first stop line.

Contra-Flow Cycle Lanes

When a one-way street is introduced this gives little inconvenience for motorists, but can mean that cyclists have to travel much further. A contra-flow cycle lane lets a cyclist travel against the direction of flow of the one-way street in safety and offers a more convenient and direct route.

The problem is that for a safe contra flow lane, the cyclists must be segregated at each end from the oncoming traffic by a traffic island. This can only be done if the road is wide enough. It may also need to have a parking ban throughout the length of the contra flow lane. This can be difficult in some residential areas with limited off-street parking.

"Plug" No Entry

This is where a road is two way throughout its length except for a short length of one-way working at one end. This means that entry into the road is banned at one end and traffic is only allowed to exit. To assist cyclists, a short gap allows cyclist to travel past the no-entry signs.

Traffic Signage

A full catalogue of traffic signage and road markings can be found on the The Highway Code website, which includes those that are applicable to cyclists.

Draft consultation walking and cycling strategies

The Council's Cabinet have approved the document for consultation purposes and Council Officers are now keen to hear your views on each of the documents.

Comments received during the consultation will be reviewed by Officers. A final version of the Strategy will then be prepared for submission to the Council's Cabinet in Autumn 2005.

How to submit your views:

If you have any comments on either of the strategies you can send your views to:

If you require any further information about either of the strategies please contact:

Stephen Pauling

James O'Regan

The closing date for responses is Friday August 19th.