London Enters The Modern Age Of Cycling

In the space of only a couple of short weeks we've seen London take huge strides towards catching up with the rest of the world in terms of providing facilities for cyclists.

First there was the opening of two new "Barclays Cycle Superhighways", including one from Merton (Colliers Wood) to the City - and with another two superhighways due to open next summer. Next there was the launch of the "Barclays Cycle Hire" scheme which provides a simple pick up/drop off facility for cyclists to rent a bicycle. And with the first 30 minutes being free this really does sound like an excellent way to cover those short journeys from A to B in the centre of London (where the scheme is initially concentrated).

Needless to say the media has been full of stories about the Cycle Superhighway and, in particular, the bike hire scheme. Sadly most of them seem to be focusing on negative points, however minor they may be, and almost attempt to turn those points into show stoppers. OK, there may be teething problems, but let's not forget what the flip side ... we could have no such scheme at all. At least things are now starting to happen and London is becoming a safer place for Londoners to cycle. That in my view is fantastic, so well done to all of those who helped make it happen!

Initially the bike hire stations are situated in the centre of London, but there are plans to add further stations as more bikes become available and the scheme starts to bed in. So wouldn't it be nice if, now that Merton has a cycle superhighway, we also start to see cycle hire stations spring up along the cycle superhighway. I know I'm somewhat biased, but that would be an entirely logical and sensible expansion of the scheme.


It is a bit of a shame though that the cycle superhighway wasn't extended to Morden though (I know, I am biased). That would have linked it up with tram stops along the way, the vast bus network for which Morden underground station is a hub, and it would have facilitated linking the route to Wimbledon thus providing an even bigger potential catchment area - and a link between the Northern Line and District Line on the underground network.

As you've no doubt guessed by now, I am already a huge fan of these two initiatives and look forward to see both grow over the coming years. Now - like most - I'm not a huge fan of the rather in-your-face Barclays branding, but hey, if that is what it takes to get such schemes off the ground and make them affordable and accessible to the public then I'll happily live with a bit corporate branding.

Is Morden A Bit Behind The Rest Of The World?

Contrary to common belief Morden isn't such a bad place to live; Morden Hall Park (National Trust owned) near the centre, Northern Line starts/finishes here, three stops on the Wimbledon to Croydon tram line are near Morden centre, good road links in and out of London.

Looking slightly further afield Morden is practically next to Wimbledon, Wimbledon Common and of course the famous tennis courts. Heading in the other direction you'll find Mitcham Common - with public golf course. 30 to 40 minutes on the tube gets you to the heart of London's west end!

Property prices in Morden are also infinitely more reasonable compared to Wimbledon.

However, there are some areas where improvements could be made, for example:

• I keep reading articles and stories about how some areas, e.g. Camden, put up cycle hoops etc. to make the area more user friendly for cyclists. None of that ever seems to happen in Morden.
• With the exception of Sainsbury's I can honestly say that there aren't any shops in and around the high street I would set foot in; you won't even find a half decent chain coffee shop among the pound shops, greasy spoons, charity shops and halal butchers.
• Areas like Morden Park in particular are just big open spaces screaming out for something which would make them more attractive for people to use, e.g. jogging paths ... or how about paths for roller blading.

The basics are there, what is needed are just those little things which makes you want to use the place for recreational purposes and look after the place.