Something seriously newsworthy is happening in London. Yesterday, London mayor Boris Johnson approved what is said to be Europe’s longest “segregated” bike lane.

 

Segregated bike lanes — what we here in the states would call “protected” lanes — are anything but unequal. The idea is basically to give motorists and bikers proportionate breathing room. It is designed to offer a safer alternative to auto-dominated roadways after a number of cyclist casualties along city roads in recent years.

 

The lane will extend from east to west London, with another north-south route in the works as well. The project will cost upwards of a billion dollars (£900 million), and will stretch approximately 18 miles directly through the center of London. Other segregated bike paths have popped up near London in recent years, but a route of this magnitude in an urban environment is unprecedented.

 

The route will be another step toward declogging London’s roads. Twelve years ago, the city implemented a congestion pricing tool to limit automobiles in certain areas, charging a fee for access. Other cities, like NYC back in Blomberg’s day, have tried to jump-start similar programs, but most have crashed and burned.

 

“Getting more people on their bikes will reduce pressure on the road, bus and rail networks, cut pollution, and improve life for everyone, whether or not they cycle themselves,” Mayor Johnson said.

 

The proposal is currently awaiting approval from Transport for London, which will hopefully come during a February 4 meeting. If it’s given the green light, construction will get rolling April, and the lane will open spring of 2016.