Cycleway, my arse!
@issaddlethereis
Often ranting about TfL's worst Cycleway (#Cycleway1). Tens of thousands of potential cycle journeys are lost every day because huge compromise were made.
Just some of the highlights from Cycleway 1 this morning: Contractors closing part of it without any signs or prior notice (because, why not?), scaffolding truck parked on mandatory cycle lane and drivers pulling out of side roads without a care in the world.
Cycling back home yesterday on Cycleway 1. Check out the reversing BMW driver on Pitfield St! One nice thing I'll say about route is that's there's often plenty of shade.
What's this trend with drivers of vehicles which can easily kill only indicating AS they turn instead of BEFORE they turn (as you're supposed to)?
Could this be the stupidest place to stop your car for a school drop off ever? Also untaxed! Cycleway 1 is the gift that just keeps on giving...
Seeing drivers do this sort of thing when you're cycling is crap. It's even worse when you're cycling with a child. And the vehicle is untaxed! Reported.
I'm not usually the paranoid type, but I sometimes wonder if Cycleway 1 was designed this way to punish those living in Tottenham, Seven Sisters, Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington, and beyond. What did we do to deserve such a second rate cycle route?
The precious car-brained people out there can't comprehend there are people out there just getting on with life, often using their imagination and will, to get by without the need for a car. Cue the comments on how "dangerous" this is!
Numbers wise, this short section of Cycleway 1 sometimes feels like an actual Cycleway. Plenty of shade too in the summer months in the mornings and late evenings. Encouraging, but a fraction of the potential cycle trips we'd see if it were a properly protected route.
This morning's commute on @tflondon.bsky.social's 10-year old Cycleway 1. Some parts are only just feeling like a cycle route of some description, but mostly it still feels like a Carway. Can we not do better than this in 2026 @willnorman.co.uk @mayoroflondon.bsky.social @hackneycouncil.bsky.social?
More fun this morning getting to @tflondon.bsky.social's Cycleway 1 route from the "wrong side" of the A10. Since C1's "completion" 10 years ago, there's only been one cycle crossing put in place on the A10 (in Dalston). This is not ok @willnorman.co.uk @mayoroflondon.bsky.social! (video x2 speed)
Of course Haringey Council fixed all the potholes on Hillside Rd before tackling the cause of them! Been over a year since this ANPR camera was pointing the right way and drivers are taking full advantage of it. Hoping that @haringeygreens.bsky.social can sort this very soon.
Councils like Haringey can paint all the bicycle signs they want on these roads, but look at the state of it! This is no safe cycling school run route! Hopefully @haringeygreens.bsky.social can sort this out with some urgency?
I'll finish this thread from this one-way trip on the delightful Cycleway 1 with this abomination. 10 years since the the route was "completed" and only now are @hackneycouncil.bsky.social thinking of putting a cycle crossing here. @hackneygreenparty.bsky.social
It won't be long until the freshly laid surface and speed humps on De Beauvoir Rd Cycleway 1 are mashed out of shape by all those SUVs!
Ah! My bad! I didn't spot the magic paint going across the junction!!! Silly me!!!!! Feel much safer now.
Presuming C1 now runs between Chiswell St and Finsbury Sq, this is an exciting addition to the experience! Going straight on at this junction to get to the short cycle track ahead when motor traffic is turning left! Looks fun! @tflondon.bsky.social @mayoroflondon.bsky.social @willnorman.co.uk
For as long as @tflondon.bsky.social @mayoroflondon.bsky.social @willnorman.co.uk stand by so called "Cycleways" like this where drivers of huge cars bully people riding bicycles, I will keep on posting about it. The Cycleway 1 experiment is a failure. We've enough with tinkering around the edges.
"Low-traffic Cycleways". Presuming this doesn't include Cycleway 1 then!
And to make things worse, the cycle signals only stay green for 5-seconds at Finsbury Square leading to Chiswell Street! Can you please look into this and fix @islington-council.bsky.social @tflondon.bsky.social @cycleislington.uk.
As if Cycleway 1's alignment wasn't confusing enough already! Is the route still supposed to run down the full length of Wilson St (which is closed off much of the time anyway)!? Surely this routing can't be right either!? It's horrendous! Any clues please @tflondon.bsky.social @willnorman.co.uk?
What was the idea behind this section on Boleyn Rd Cycleway 1? How are people meant to filter to the ASL / cycle box at the front? C1 was "completed" 10 years ago, and no thought whatsoever has gone into large parts of the route. @hackneycouncil.bsky.social @tflondon.bsky.social @willnorman.co.uk
Hi @tflondon.bsky.social @hackneycouncil.bsky.social. When Cycleway 1 was "built" what was the plan for when waste operatives are forced to stop and load in between two rows of parked cars? Was this not thought through? Or are you okay with people cycling on pavements? @willnorman.co.uk
To be fair, it does say 'Electric Vehilces Only', which this is!
Cycleway 1 is full of these "I hope to god they're going to stop!" moments. Always a delight.
Ah yes. I know that manoeuvre well. The "Cycleway 1 shuffle"! A necessary thing to learn on London's worst Cycleway which is still plagued by too many cars. You should include this move on your 'Cycle skills' page @tflondon.bsky.social if you're going to continue defending routes like this.
Another selfish driver parking on the mandatory cycle lane on West Bank. One of very few half decent bits of Cycleway 1 and drivers still find a way to make it more dangerous. @hackneycouncil.bsky.social are you even taking notice of driver behaviour like this anymore?
