Yes to a traffic-free Oxford Street

Cycling ignored

The Mayor is asking your opinion on pedestrianising Oxford Street.

We say a resounding YES to making this iconic street traffic-free and people-friendly! But if cycling isn’t catered for here and on parallel streets, cycling in the West End will be WORSE.

Right now, no one seems to be taking this seriously.

The Mayor’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner Will Norman wants to ban cycling on Oxford Street, and Westminster’s parallel streets are a black hole for cycleways – ever tried battling the traffic in Fitzrovia on a bike?

You can help – take our one-minute action to tell the Mayor and the Leader of Westminster City Council to be bold for cycling in the West End.

Leadership needed

Transport for London’s own strategic cycling analysis shows how important cycle routes are here – it says there are four high quality cycle routes needed in the vicinity, not one.

We think allowing cycling on Oxford Street is feasible and in line with other major pedestrianised streets in European cities.

But that’s not on the table, and so far TfL and Westminster council’s answer appears to be just one weak and wiggly route, far north of the ‘desire line’. This isn’t good enough.

The only viable alternative to cycle tracks on Oxford Street is high quality, high capacity and fairly direct cycle routes both sides of Oxford Street, and close to it.

Also, the Oxford Street scheme will force a conversation about the areas either side of it, such as Soho and Marylebone, and the motor traffic levels they face.

A double win would be for Westminster to cut down traffic on both sides – which would deliver safe cycle routes too.

Take our one-minute action – call on the Mayor and Westminster City Council to show leadership, work together and create these much-needed cycle routes for a better London.