An innovative new scheme aimed at separating cyclists from cars is being trialled on a small stretch of road in London.
Double yellow lines between Kentish Town and King’s Cross have been replaced with ‘armadillo’ blocks and plant pots, with the intention of making the road a safer place for those on two wheels. The project is the first of its kind in the UK.
The width of the street has been almost halved in terms of space for car drivers, with two-metre-wide cycle lanes now running in both directions along its entire length. The lanes are marked out with low-slung plant pots and round rubber blocks – dubbed ‘armadillos’ – which are screwed into the ground, protecting cyclists from the dangers posed by four-wheelers.
The reduction in road space is not likely to sit well with the inner-city motorist, especially considering that it will result in even less parking places.
However, Camden council is planning to extend the project to more streets in the area, with other UK councils expected to follow suit in the near future.
The scheme was welcomed by Jean Dollimore, Camden Cycling Campaign co-ordinator, who said: "The changes on Royal College Street demonstrate how to make cycling safe and attractive for everybody including young children."
A key aim of the project is to reduce the number of cyclists killed on roads – six have been killed on London streets already this year. Manufacturers have been working towards the same goal in terms of new technology, with Volvo unveiling a cyclist detection system earlier this year. You can read more about that here.
Click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter
