Update, 3rd March 2015 – in response to debate on an email list, I have uploaded a letter providing further details of evidence around this topic, sent last September to a correspondent who requested it.
Published today in the Evening Standard – from 24 professors with expertise in transport, health and other related disciplines.
‘We are academics with expertise from a range of disciplines supportive of cycling and the economic, social, environmental, and health benefits it can generate. We believe provision for cycling is currently often highly inadequate. Some of us have personal experience of the resultant and unnecessary toll of death and injury on our roads.
Much evidence now shows the benefits of providing well designed space for cycle traffic segregated from motor traffic on busy roads. This is a key part of the major changes needed to reap the benefits of cycling and ensure that people of all ages and abilities can cycle in safety and comfort.
The Mayor and Transport for London’s plans for the N-S and E-W cycle superhighways mark a step change in ambition. Two key routes will be suitable for cycling by all, not just the fit and the brave. That this will be done largely by taking space from the carriageway represents a substantial and welcome commitment to London’s sustainability.
While not perfect in all details, we believe the plans will substantially benefit both cycling and London. The benefits are likely to exceed those stated in consultation documents, because current transport modelling approaches deal badly with cycling and cycle infrastructure.
We believe it is crucial that the vision embodied in these plans is implemented and that they are not delayed, cancelled, or diluted. We would urge academic colleagues and others to write in support of the plans and organisations to do the same on behalf of their staff.’
Professor John Adams, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University College London
Professor Mima Cattan, Professor of Public Health, Northumbria University
Professor Danny Dorling, Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography, Oxford University
Professor Norman Ginsburg, Professor of Social Policy, London Metropolitan University
Professor Ian Gough, Professorial Research Fellow, CASE (Centre for the Analysis of Social Exclusion), London School of Economics
Professor Judith Green, Professor of Sociology of Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Professor Sir Andy Haines, Professor of Public Health & Primary Care, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Professor Tim Jackson, Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey and Director of the Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group (SLRG)
Professor Glenn Lyons, Professor of Transport and Society, University of the West of England Bristol
Professor Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Professor David Metz, Visiting Professor, Centre for Transport Studies, University College London
Professor Hugh Montgomery, Chair of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London
Professor Peter Newman, Professor of Comparative Urban Planning, Westminster University
Professor Graham Parkhurst, Director of the Centre for Transport and Society, Professor of Sustainable Mobility, University of the West of England Bristol
Professor John Parkin, Professor of Transport Engineering, University of the West of England Bristol
Professor Colin Pooley, Emeritus Professor of Social and Historical Geography, Lancaster University
Professor Ian Roberts, Professor of Epidemiology & Public Heath, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Professor Jon Shaw, Professor of Transport Geography, Plymouth University
Professor Elizabeth Shove, Professor of Sociology, Lancaster University
Professor Alan Tapp, Professor of Marketing, University of the West of England
Professor Jeremy Till, Head, Central Saint Martins and Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts London
Professor Fran Tonkiss, Professor of Sociology, Director Cities Programme, London School of Economics
Professor John Urry, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Lancaster University
Professor Mark Wardman, Professor of Transport Demand Analysis, University of Leeds