David Cameron > Boris Johnson 4 SkyCycle

An incognito Google search shows David Cameron is a greater supporter of SkyCycle than Boris Johnson, who is doing some good work with local Sustrans Quietways cycle routes and Superhighways.

However these desperately need to link with bold infrastructure projects like SkyCycle.  Otherwise all we end up with is different coloured cycle lanes.

Whoever is politically more committed to cycling needs to act for an efficient healthy clean future.  Such is imagined in 1 ~ Serpent Dove

Elder Adok

Boris & Dave + SkyCycle & railways

The brilliance of the SkyCycle insight is that rail and cycle traffic meet similar demands: speed without interruption between population and city centres.

For our country's health [and for their political legacy] Boris needs to sanction SkyCycle, and Dave support a countrywide equivalent which might be called ByCycle [a cycle bypass].

In congested areas these cycleways would be above railways but where there is space they could run beside them. 

Such an idea is fulfilled in Serpent Dove by a cycleway from Cambridge to Lakenheath via Ely. It's where Io and George meet.

Dave or Boris being bold with SkyCycle

Boris is not keen on heights after the zip famously failed on his wire!?

But that is no excuse for timidity towards SkyCycle which aims to instal proper cycling infrastructure above London's railway lines. These would be equivalent to the 1960s' vision of building motorways for cars, but Boris talks of tinkering with cycle lanes alongside existing traffic.

Perhaps Dave could do better outside London and create a cycling legacy with heathy people and healthy environment.

We need some leadership on cycling infrastructure from cycling leaders.

Elder Adok

Why is Boris supporting a Thames Deckway but not SkyCycle?

Why compete when you can complement?  It looks good but it is not cheap and competes with existing river traffic, so why is Boris supporting a Thames Deckway?

SkyCycle complements existing train traffic with additional overhead cycleways, so it makes more sense than a Thames Deckway.  But there might be an even better solution introduced in chapter 02 of my first novel.

This imagines bronchs which are both fresh air ducts and cycleways. Along the Thames they are anchored on the shoreline away from river traffic. It makes riding in them an amazing experience depending upon the tide; at times cyclists would be in dry clean air with their heads just above water level!

Here's to exciting practical imaginative cycling,
Elder Adok

Boris and Dave, George and Io

George [very English] and Io [named after one of Saturn's moons, picture c/o NASA] first meet on the bronchs [an idea in the Buffalo Future novels] which are specifically for cyclists. They cycled side by side for miles, which was only made possible by good design. Their conversations helped them explore purpose in life, family matters, and the possibility of love.

We know Boris and Dave cycle but is it ever side by side? What could such conversations cover? Might they talk of bicycle matters, and of realising good design?

We'll see!

I hope so, Elder Adok

Good conversation with Boris, Dave, and SkyCycle

Cyclists reduce pollution, keep fit, and with proper cycle lanes can have good conversation.

With an election next year, now is the time to make decisions which encourage cyclists. Building SkyCycle is an obvious opportunity. It would significantly enhance social engagement in our capital by encouraging cyclists to chat away from the noise and confusion of road traffic.

Serpent Dove  includes just such an encounter between Io and George. It leads into a growing friendship ... but there are other encounters too. 

Roll on a bicycle-friendly world,

Elder Adok

Cycle lanes for different speeds

Updated May 2020

If SkyCycle, a scheme proposed by Foster+Partners, turns out to be just a cycle track above the railways that would miss many opportunities. For example, how about lanes for different speeds: electric bikes, family carriers, Bromptons, trailer towing, and road bikes?

The slow lane could be wide enough for those towing a trailer or cycling side by side.  The middle and fast lanes would give flexibility so those cycling around 30 mph could do so safely. Coronavirus challenges us to empower cyclists. Rather than squeezing tight single lane tracks down the side of busy roads, it's time to hand over some main roads completely to cycling.

Even better, how about purpose built infrastructure overhead? The Buffalo Future novels envisage such an idea in the bronchs, which are cycle ways also acting as fresh air ducts.

Here's to the best cycle infrastructure.

Come on Boris and Dave, SkyCycle!

First posted August 2015; updated August 2015

There are political pilgrimages to Brompton Bikes because they manufacture a fantastic British icon. Its flexibility inspires many in reducing pollution by cycling to/from trains, and storing a folded bike securely.

In 2014 Prime Minister David Cameron visited with local MP Mary MacLeod and the then Minister of State for Employment Esther McVey. It was a great photo opportunity because it included two Conservative female politicians.

However all bikes [folding or not] need proper cycle-friendly infrastructure design and commitment. David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson declare themselves bike friendly with many photoshots, but will leave a lasting cycling legacy unless investing in something like Foster + Partners SkyCycle?

Santander hire bikes and blue coloured cycle tracks are only tinkering. Boris has a final window of opportunity before the next mayor arrives. Who knows Cameron be displaced by an explosive Corbynite charge!

Imagine if SkyCycle was even more than purpose built cycleways. Could it also carry fresh air, communications, generate from solar etc. That would be an amazing legacy. Two are combined in the idea of the bronchs in my first Buffalo Future novel.

C40 cities and ordinary people

I was wondering if any funding existed for individuals who can make a difference in clearing pollution. The C40 cities awards are for leaders in corporate bodies.

Surely individuals can encourage change too, so how about an award for them?

I believe futurologists help set the scene in which society evolves.  Structural change is important but so is our behaviour.  The more people that cycle the less pollution there is, but we need the infrastructure that makes it possible ... like the bronchs in Serpent Dove.

SkyCycle + fresh air = bronchs

The Guardian told us that Paris is using car number plates, even registration numbers one day with odd ones the next.  It's to encourage alternating car sharing, but the idea hasn't gone down well.  Roll on SkyCycle as a way of reducing pollution by cycling.

Beijing is offering visitors bottles of fresh air.  Now you won't get far on one of those.  Cycling doesn't pollute.  Boris Johnson and David Cameron are supposed to be cycle friendly, so we should push the cause.

But there is a better solution ... how about combining the two ideas: fresh air + cycling?  

If you can get around a city without polluting the atmosphere then it will provide you with clean cycleways, the bronchs.  These would be like lungs pumping fresh air into the heart of the city.

It is an idea I've written about in Serpent Dove the first in the Buffalo Future series.

Here's to futuristic and realistic thinking,

Elder Adok