“ A limited stretch of wider pedestrian space and a more pleasant environment are small steps in the right direction. But this scheme looks like having limited benefits for pedestrians and it's a lost opportunity to provide the choice for people to shop by bicycle in safety. The High Street needs a complete overhaul with priority reassigned first to pedestrians, second to cyclists and lastly to motors. A reduced speed limit and more ways to cross the road safely would help.
The proposals may make provision for cycling worse. Has anyone considered this?
Cyclists stop to shop more often than drivers, simply because they can park very easily, right next to the shop they need and so business benefits. That's partly why over half of the councillors in Barnet have signed up to improve space for cycling, but what are they doing in practice? Please see http://action.space4cycling.org/data/borough/43 ”