Dave, Boris, & Ed forget cyclists' vote

News reports, for example Telegraph's which party should cyclists vote for?, show that only the Lib-Dems and Greens are saying anything much about reducing pollution and investing in cycle-friendly infrastructure.

Others have forgotten that cyclists' vote, and in large numbers too.

I know Boris has introduced different coloured cycle lanes but as I've argued before they are not superhighways.  Time is running out for substantial realistic commitments to increasing cycling and reducing pollution.

Where is the political will we all seek?

Buying fresh air?

Water used to be free but now we pay for it.  Our tap water is so clean that a doctor recently told me it could be safely used to wash wounds without risk of infection.

Might we be buying clean air in the future?  After all the recent smog was not confined to Paris but slowly crept across central and eastern areas of Britain.  Those with health problems were advised to avoid excess exercise.

Cycling doesn't cause smog so surely cyclists have a right to travel in clean air.

Fast, refreshing, and efficient ... bronchs

I love Ibike's list giving 60+ advantages in cycling.  A bike can take you to the heart of a city, in this case Bath, England.

It would be worthwhile putting the advantages in order of preference, so how about this for starters:

1. It's often faster cycling short journeys or in cities [No 8]
2. The exercise and freedom refresh body, mind, and spirit [No 10 & 13]
3. I agree that a well maintained bike can give years of service at little expense to the environment [No 1 & 42]

But there's one disadvantage because cyclists often have to breathe in polluted air.  What if they had clean air to cycle in?  The cycleways could be the lungs of a city, its bronchs.

Here's to real investment in clean cycling,

Elder Adok

Waterloo cycling

Waterloo railway station is the busiest in London; the South West Trains - Network Rail alliance is increasing its capacity.  How will everybody get around?

Four platforms are being lengthened and the redundant Eurostar section being refurbished to provide additional platforms.  A succinct animation gives details.  Clearly there will be a significant rise in traffic; cycles could clog up pedestrian thoroughfares.

Boris bikes are available outside the station, but imagine being able to pick one up on your platform and cycle off into purpose built cycleways.  That's my vision in Serpent Dove, a futuristic realistic novel.

Enjoy, Elder Adok