Hendon Times: Mayor tells cyclists ‘yes, Ken do’ in pledge to help cause

Barnet cyclists met the Mayor of London this week to discuss the lack of provisions and investment for cyclists in the borough. A delegate from Barnet London Cycling Campaign, which has more than 300 members, met with Ken Livingstone on Tuesday to ask him to help persuade Barnet Council to give higher priority to cycling. The group believes Barnet is being left behind as neighbouring boroughs plough resources and funding into encouraging and improving cycling.

Of £23million available for London boroughs to invest in cycling this year through London Cycle Network funding, Barnet applied for £40,000, the least of any London borough.

Haringey was awarded £949,000 while Harrow received £835,000.

Suggestions made at the meeting included:

* Introducing safer ways to get around gyratory systems such as Tally Ho Corner in North Finchley and ensuring more cycle training is provided, and promoted, for children and adults
* More cycle parking at Underground stations, in particular East Finchley and Golders Green
* Appointing a full-time cycling officer, as other boroughs do, to ensure cycling issues get properly addressed.

Charles Harvey, a member of Barnet London Cycling Campaign, said: “It was a very positive meeting. Mr Livingstone was keen to work with us to help promote cycling. I think it is true that cycling is not seen as that important to the council, and that needs to change.”

Mr Livingstone said: “We have made £23m funding available to the boroughs for the London Cycle Network, so the funds are there to make cycling a real priority in Barnet.”

Councillor Matthew Offord, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We are working with TfL to identify the most appropriate measures to encourage cycling in the borough and have committed to a £500,000 investment programme in cycling over the next two years.”

Mr Offord insisted providing cycle training for children and adults in the borough is of a high priority and added cycle parking facilities have been installed at Burnt Oak Tube station, and there are plans to do the same in Ballards Lane, Finchley Central.