Cyclists hit back at Sunday Times over claim cycleways cause congestion

Cyclists have hit back over Sunday Times reporting of a report by real-time traffic information firm INRIX suggesting that segregated cycle lanes are one of the four contributors to worsening congestion in the U.K.

Cycling blogger Mark Treasure highlighted figures suggesting that the part of London where segregated cycling facilities have been built has seen the smallest increases in journey times for a five-mile journey for motorised traffic: a 26% increase to 29 minutes, compared to a 34% increase in outer London, to 20 minutes. Danny Williams, another cycling blogger, said The Sunday Times had not accurately represented the INRIX report, which states that the completion of segregated cycleways, alongside Crossrail and otherschemes, were causing traffic disruption but it predicted they would "ultimately reduce congestion by 20%, while stopping the temporary disruption caused by their construction".

Carlton Reid, of Bike Biz, said official statistics show why there is more congestion: "There are simply more motor vehicles on the roads... nearly three million more in the space of just five years." The newspaper also pointed to street works and to van deliveries.