TfL view on Cycle Super Highway

A TfL officer wrote this on 14 June. I have annotated with comments in [ ]

"Yes we are aware of some reports [about where?] that some people have expressed concern as to the skid resistance of the surface. We have reviewed these comments and they do not appear to match with the actual performance of the surface when it has been assessed, either informally by cyclists riding on the surface and specifically testing its grip with a bike in a range of conditions, or by some more formal testing that we have undertaken. [my reports are from cyclists using the route]

In overall quality terms we expect the experience to be a very positive one for cyclists, as in many cases the blue surface is being applied after re-surfacing or other carriageway works which will have extensively improved the ride performance. [not in the case of A13 in Barking/Newham - relatively new cycle tracks are being 'painted']

There are three types of blue surface being used on Barclays Cycle Superhighways.

The first is a ‘high friction’ surface which you will be able to observe at junctions. This has a high level of skid resistance and is a blue form of other high friction surfaces currently used in these circumstances.

The second is an ‘encapsulated’ surface (where the aggregate used to provide grip is encapsulated within a blue glue-like material). This is being used ‘on-carriageway’ on links in-between junctions where the cycle lane forms part of the highway and provides a level of skid resistance equivalent to tarmac or other surfaces (such as bus lane surfacing).

The third is a blue paint which is applied ‘off-carriageway’ (e.g. on pavement or shared cyclist/pedestrian mixed use circumstances) which has a level of skid resistance appropriate for that circumstance. [This seems to be what has been used in Barking, though reports question whether the level of skid resistance is "appropriate"].

Each of these surfaces has undergone rigorous pretesting to review fade, wear and skid-resistance. Formal skid-resistance testing has also occurred at a significant number of locations on Route 7. Our tests to date have demonstrated that the surfaces are fit for purpose and are performing to a satisfactory level when being applied ‘on the ground’.

One effect that may be occurring is that when the new surface is first laid it is very blue and appears quite smooth and slick. We believe that some cyclists may be perceiving this as slippery even though in practice it is not.

If you have any specific examples of locations that any of your members feel do not provide appropriate levels of skid resistance, please do let me know as we will of course look into it. [I have e-mailed the writer today].