Making the streets safer for pedestrians & cyclists

Farokh Khorooshi, the chair of the Fitzjohns Residents Association, deserves a medal for the work he does to improve quality of life for Hampstead residents. Two years ago I chaired a group of residents, councillors, parents and cyclists whose aim was to make Fitzjohns Avenue and the surrounding area greener, safer and less congested. Some of the things we proposed are now coming to pass - for example, a 20mph limit policed by average speed cameras and a school bus system.

Mr Khorooshi (seen above picking with his first grape crop!) was part of the Fitzjohns "blue skies" group and he more than anyone deserves credit for ceaselessly pushing for action on the things we suggested. Turning Hampstead Village into a shared space environment where the pedestrian is prioritised - a central plank of Mr Khorooshi's Hampstead2020 concept - was one such idea. Introducing an electric car train to move people around the Hampstead area was another.

The one thing we did not get was properly separated cycle lanes. I don't believe we can expect to see more people cycling (and especially not parents) unless we make it safer to do so. Painting a picture of a bicycle on the road does not, we think, make it safe to cycle.

Transition Belsize is aiming to map the NW3 area in terms of separated bicycle lanes we would like to see, particularly on key school commuting routes. When we have a draft plan we will take it to schools, parents and residents to seek their backing. We will then be pushing for the next Camden Council administration to put in properly separated cycle lanes and clamp down on irresponsible driving behaviour by truck drivers who are responsible for the majority of cyclist deaths in London.

This administration has put in bike stands all over the borough which is good. But I hope the next administration, which will be formed in May 2010, will actually make it safer to cycle.