The London Metropolitan University becomes the latest large educational institute to fully back plans for safer cycling. The university which has over 15,000 students and 2,000 staff in central London has fully backed the plans for the two new proposed routes for protected cycling
In a letter to Transport for London, John Raftery Vice Chancellor made it clear that the university wanted the plans to go ahead.
The university joins The University of Westminster, Queen Mary and many others within the education sector to support the plans. With huge numbers of students around London, and no on-site accommodation, the university recognises that it’s students often travel by bicycle, but more would chose to do so if it was safer. Two students have been killed recently whilst riding bikes.
Dear Sir,
London Metropolitan University is a diverse and vibrant higher education institution spread over three campuses at Holloway Road, Moorgate and Aldgate.
London Metropolitan University is strongly in favour of plans for the proposed cycle superhighway and request that they are delivered at the earliest opportunity.
Our University community has been personally impacted by the dangerous conditions imposed on cyclists in the capital, and has sadly lost staff and student cyclists to road traffic accidents.
Large numbers of our staff and students commute via bicycle, myself included. We encourage staff to cycle through our Cycle to Work scheme and our students, who live across Greater London (the University has no on-site student accommodation), often opt to cycle as it is the cheapest transport option available.
More needs to be done to make cycling in the capital safer. Our roads should be safe enough so any member of the public can choose to cycle across the whole city freely without being exposed to danger.
These proposals are a large step in the right direction. The superhighway will significantly improve the conditions for our staff and students that cycle to and from the University and go some way in reducing any future tragedies.
In our view, the potential impacts on business and congestion appear short-term and are outweighed by the long-term benefits of the proposal.
Not only will improving London’s cycling infrastructure save lives, it will also improve the quality of our urban environment by easing the pressure on public transportation networks and congested roads. Improvements will support efforts minimise our environmental impact and improve public health by allowing more people to cycle around the city.
Yours faithfully,
Professor John Raftery
Vice-Chancellor
CyclingWorks 