Last night I joined around 200 cyclists and pedestrians at a direct action event in King’s Cross, organised by Bikes Alive. I strongly support their demand to change the balance of power on London’s roads. For far too long, priority has been given to the motorised transport rather than the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
The number of cyclist deaths in London has grown in the past few years. Transport for London’s statistics show that although casualties fell from 3,506 in 2000 to 3,202 in 2008, they rose to 4,007 in 2010, with the trend continuing in the first six months of 2011. It was therefore fitting that our direct action started at the lethal junction where York Way meets Euston Road and Pentonville Road, where Min Joo Lee was tragically killed by a Heavy Goods Vehicle in October. The 24-year-old fashion student from Korea was the thirteenth cyclist to be killed in London in 2011.
As a cyclist myself, but also as a pedestrian and a very occasional car driver, I have been pushing for increased road safety at the London Assembly, through Transport for London and the Met Police, for the past twelve years. As an issue it has risen up the political agenda, but road deaths and injuries are still too often seen as unavoidable in a modern society.
As Mayor I will argue that a modern society should aim for zero deaths. I would ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are treated more fairly. I would rebuild London’s most dangerous junctions to provide safe, segregated space for pedestrians and cyclists. The fantastic turnout last night shows just how important this is for Londoners and I was grateful to take part and show my support.
London’s roads must be fixed urgently if we are to make them safe for cyclists and all other road users. This is the Mayor’s responsibility and I hope that our peaceful, direct action will mean that he starts to listen to us.