ACT NOW for a
Cycle Safe Westminster
Why make Westminster safe for cycling?
In 2020, the council’s Movement Strategy created 11 kilometres of new cycle lanes across Westminster, reallocating traffic lanes and removing car parking bays on an unprecedented scale - showing that rapid change is possible. However - unlike the pop-up bike lanes seen elsewhere in London - Westminster’s cycle lanes are not protected. Paint is no protection from motor vehicles!
We need safe, protected cycle infrastructure for:
Safe streets
An unacceptable number of people are getting injured or even killed while cycling in Westminster
Access for all
Everyone needs to be safe, and feel safe, to cycle - whatever their age, ability, gender or background
Climate action
Our planet urgently needs a shift away from vehicles to active travel. Electric vehicles are not enough
The economy
Making it safe and convenient to cycle to the West End is essential for attracting customers back post-Covid
3 steps to Cycle Safe Westminster
Westminster today is not safe for cycling. The borough has the highest numbers in London of people killed or seriously injured while cycling - there were 70 casualties in 2019 (the latest data).
This needs to change.
That’s why we’re calling for Cycle Safe Westminster. The council needs to build on its investment last year into the safety of its roads, by making its cycle lanes:
Permanent
Urgently stop removing the cycle lanes and make them a permanent feature of Westminster’s roads
Protected
Physically separate cycle lanes from motor traffic with wands or kerbs, increasing safety and reducing stress
Connected
Join up these lanes to provide continuous safe cycle routes across the borough, with particular attention to safety at junctions
Where are the new lanes?
This map shows the new temporary cycle lanes or routes in Westminster.
The lines in red show the lanes that have already been removed or downgraded.
Details of each temporary lane can be found here.
Cycle Safe Westminster: Georgia’s story
Hear how Georgia’s life in London was transformed after she started cycling last year thanks to the introduction of a protected cycling lane on Park Lane.
Want to tell your story? Contact cyclesafe@westminstercyclists.org.uk to spread the word!
