Boris Johnson’s network of cycle superhighways were severely criticised today by a police safety expert.
Pc Simon Wickenden, from the Met’s traffic management unit, also said that Transport for London ignored police warnings about the danger faced by cyclists due to the design and lack of legal status of the blue painted lanes.
He was giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Brian Dorling, 58, who was the first cyclist to be killed on a superhighway. He collided with an HGV at Bow roundabout in October 2011.
Pc Wickenden told Poplar coroner’s court: “I consider the use of the blue road surface marking to be ambiguous and to lead to confusion.” He said there were advantages and disadvantages with the extension of the blue lane across the junction in Bow. Mr Dorling was seeking to ride straight across and the HGV was turning left.
Pc Wickenden said: “The advantage is that it highlights the potential presence of cyclists to drivers… The disadvantage is quite clear. One: it places cyclists in a position in the roundabout where they may come into conflict with traffic when it is leaving the roundabout. Two: it may give cyclists a false sense of security.” He added: “In my view, it would be safer not to have the marking at all on the roundabout.”
The hearing continues.
