Cycling Superhighway in Barking

TfL's contractors have been out with their blue paint painting the green cycle track alongside the A13 blue, part of branding it as a Cycling Super Highway. I've tried to keep an open mind on this, but by first reports, it's not looking too good.

The second report claims that the new surface is slippery when wet. I can't confirm this, but please be careful and make sure you report the matter if you do have problems.

Opinion 1 (professional): 'I must admit the quality of the routes as shown in the attached photos, does leave something to be desired, I am hoping this is only the first coat?'

Opinion 2 (daily commuter): 'As a daily cycle commuter from Hornchurch to Liverpool Street, I cannot believe what is going on within B & D and Newham. The blue paint that has been applied to the green high adhesion cycle route surface is dangerous. In the dry weather it is poor. When it is wet it is lethal, like cycling on ice.

There is no way a paint will provide the quality of surface that is needed for cycling in all weathers. Most of us cyclists are having to cycle on the pavement because this surface is not safe! In addition, how does Blue paint transform a cycle route into a "Cycle super highway"?? '

How super is your bike lane?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/20/super-bike-lane

With the launch of the cycle super highways this summer, the Guardian is doing an on line assessment of the quality of what it calls "bike lanes", including the CSH. (Conventionally cycle lanes are in the carriageway, cycle paths are away from the carriageway and cycle tracks are alongside but not on the carriageway - though shared unsegregated use of the footway is not normally thought of as a cycle track. Cycleways serves as a generic term for all these things).

One of the first CSH's starts/ends in Barking by Greatfields Park. There's a launch event on Saturday 24 July - details to follow.