The Metropolis

Beware the votes of cyclists

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 7 December, 2011 12:01

An exhaustive, excellent post at Cyclists in the City synthesises a lot of recent developments. It’s worth reading in full. The conclusion is ominous for Mayor Johnson.

There are upwards of 500,000 cycle journeys in London every day, according to TfL. That’s an awful lot of us when it comes to the Mayoral election. I think it’s time everyone who cycles thinks carefully about how they exercise their vote at the election next year.

As a keen classicist the Mayor will no doubt appreciate the tragic patterning at work here. The encouragement he gave people to take to their bikes has helped create an army of cycling voters. So his own public support for cycling, coupled with the hubris he has displayed in office when it comes to dealing with cyclists’ concerns, may ultimately lead to his electoral downfall.

It makes you think.

Context: Sixteen people have been killed while cycling in London this year.

Cycling in the City – Transport for London letter last week rejects safer Blackfriars scheme, claims killer roundabout at Bow is not a risk for cycling & walking. Mayor now completely out of step with most other cities?

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