CCC have been busy advertising the demo by leafletting the bikes parked at the stafions at the weekend.
Cyclists protesting at the lack of cycle facilities at St Pancras International Station on November 14th are now expecting action by rail authorities to provide cycle parking at the flagship station.
The protest, highlighting the poor provision for cyclists at London’s new flagship station, will be led by Camden Cyclists and City Cyclists, with support from London Cycling Campaign members. Cyclists are protesting at the poor access for cyclists to the station, the lack of cycle parking and restrictions on bike carriage on Eurostar.
Responding to the planned protest Network Rail CTRL, the station owner, says the station will now have cycle stands for 100 cycles ready by the 14th. The original plan was for 30 low-grade ‘wheelbender’ stands that are highly vulnerable to theft. The company says it will review cycle parking with a view to increased provision. Jean Dollimore of Camden Cyclists said “Proper stands for 100 bikes is definitely a step in the right direction but demand at other London stations shows we’re likely to need a lot more.”
In a separate response to the protest Eurostar says that, from early 2008, it will allow customers to reserve places for cycles on the same train that they are travelling on (there is currently a delay of up to 24 hours). LCC’s director Koy Thomson said “We welcome this step towards more integrated transport by Eurostar and hope that the new dispatch system will be in place for the New Year. “
Campaigners are calling on all cyclists to join the protest on Wednesday at 8.30 to ensure that rail authorities live up to their new commitments and to put pressure on the local council to deliver safe cycle access to the station. St Pancras styles itself as ” a place people will want to visit” to which campaigners reply “…unless they are on bikes”, noting that there have been three cyclist deaths within 500m in the last year. LCC groups are calling for: completion of a key missing link from St Pancras to the London Cycle Network; a reduction of the speed limit around the station to 20mph; and an improvement in local cycle lanes and removal of restrictions which prevent access to local bike routes.