So ok, its early days. In fact it is the earliest day of the Mayor of London's Congestion Charging Scheme.
I've been riding into work from Holloway in the north of the city, to Old Street which is to the east of the centre of London and also the eastern boundary of the charging zone. So my route doesn't actually touch the zone, and I start quite some way out from the zone.
BUT my ride in today was incredibly traffic free. I can't believe it, and maybe it to too early to tell, but this charge could already be having an amazing affect on not only London traffic, but the whole feel of the city.
(I think) I saw more bicycles, more pedestrians, and if I'm not mistaken, more friendliness between road users who, today at least, didn't have to fight for every last bit of space.
I felt safer on a bike today for the first time in ages.
I hope this is a good omen. Ken Livingston, the mayor of London, is a brave man. And he may just have got it right.
Posted by tom at February 17, 2003 10:01 AM