‘Cycle lanes in the sky’ project moves up a gear

 
Maxine Frith25 September 2012

A plan to create a network of “cycle lanes in the sky” across London will move a step closer today when the men behind the idea meet transport bosses to discuss possible test sites.

The SkyCycle proposal would see elevated bike pathways built alongside railway lines, on embankments and next to viaducts and sidings.

Cyclists could be charged about £1 per journey, with payment via Oyster Card and routes from major rail terminals into the city centre.

Sam Martin and Oli Clark, of the Exterior Architecture firm, came up with the idea and claim it could be a world-first in transport development. They say it would reduce the risk of accidents and encourage more people out of cars and onto bikes.

They put the plan to Boris Johnson after meeting him in a lift at City Hall while on their way to see his transport advisers. Mr Martin said: “Boris was all over the idea. He summed it up in one line, ‘It’s like ET flying to the moon, flying over London.’ ” With the Mayor’s backing, Mr Martin and Mr Clark are meeting Network Rail bosses today.

There are three rail sites in the north, east and south-west of the capital that they believe could test their concept. It is thought the first SkyCycle route may link Stratford with the City through Liverpool and Fenchurch Street stations.

The idea came from Mr Clark’s dissertation on how to incorporate cycle ways into a regenerated Battersea Power Station. Mr Martin said: “We passed by Queenstown Road railway station. That’s where we thought, ‘Let’s clip the cycle way on to that’. ”

Mr Martin admitted that SkyCycle would cost “tens of millions of pounds” but believes it could be sponsored like the cycle hire scheme.

A spokesman for the Mayor said: “He is committed to leading a cycling revolution in the capital, and the use of elevated cycleways is an idea worth exploring.”

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