Read on Twitter
Kensington High Street Cycle Lane live thread - a chronology as it unfolds from ideation, to installation, to celebration, to removal, and to perhaps the installation of a permanent protected cycleway.
Let’s see how it goes @RBKC @betterstreetskc
Let’s see how it goes @RBKC @betterstreetskc
Some footage from @theJeremyVine of #KensingtonHighSt from 2013 when the cycle lane wasn't even a twinkle in the eye of @RBKC
12 April 2017
This video showing posted by @theJeremyVine in 2017 shows the kind of appalling driving a cycle lane in Kensington High Street could protect cyclists from.
This video showing posted by @theJeremyVine in 2017 shows the kind of appalling driving a cycle lane in Kensington High Street could protect cyclists from.
24 May 2020
Back in May when Street Space projects were popping up @WalleyVision shared a thread where he included pictures of pre-cycle lane #KSH showing plenty of space for a cycle lane.
Back in May when Street Space projects were popping up @WalleyVision shared a thread where he included pictures of pre-cycle lane #KSH showing plenty of space for a cycle lane.
In the next tweet in @WalleyVision thread:
For anyone regularly cycling through Kensington, you will know this junction. Always traffic - not enough space - no cycle provision.
This pic show a streetscape hostile to cycling
For anyone regularly cycling through Kensington, you will know this junction. Always traffic - not enough space - no cycle provision.
This pic show a streetscape hostile to cycling
A few days later on 27 May @djjmilner asks @RBKC @RBKC_cycling @cllrKTS @jthalassites
"Can we temporarily turn this lane of parked cars into a protected cycle path on KSH?
It would get more people to work safely, help local businesses."
"Can we temporarily turn this lane of parked cars into a protected cycle path on KSH?
It would get more people to work safely, help local businesses."
19 June 20 @RBKC Announces:
A new temp cycling & walking route on #KSH is being explored to help people return safely to our streets.
We want everyone to be able to pass through our streets to go for a stroll or shop at a local business.

More: https://bit.ly/2N980hj
A new temp cycling & walking route on #KSH is being explored to help people return safely to our streets.
We want everyone to be able to pass through our streets to go for a stroll or shop at a local business.

More: https://bit.ly/2N980hj
On 19 June Councillor @jthalassites of @RBKC announces
"We’re working with local businesses and residents to see how a temporary cycle lane on Kensington High Street could help to make active travel an option for more people while attracting shoppers back to our borough."
"We’re working with local businesses and residents to see how a temporary cycle lane on Kensington High Street could help to make active travel an option for more people while attracting shoppers back to our borough."
20 June 2020
London Evening Standard:
Pop-up cycle lane along Kensington High Street will help 'bring back shoppers'
https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/popup-cycle-lane-hammersmith-kensington-westminster-a4474446.html
London Evening Standard:
Pop-up cycle lane along Kensington High Street will help 'bring back shoppers'
https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/popup-cycle-lane-hammersmith-kensington-westminster-a4474446.html
Finally on 2 Oct 2020 the lane is installed as
@theJeremyVine discovers:
“Me getting a little overwhelmed earlier at the sight of safety WANDS, suddenly, from nowhere, in what has been one of the most anti-cycling boroughs in London,
@RBKC”
@theJeremyVine discovers:
“Me getting a little overwhelmed earlier at the sight of safety WANDS, suddenly, from nowhere, in what has been one of the most anti-cycling boroughs in London,
@RBKC”
13 October 2020
Listen in as @theJeremyVine describes why the KSH cycle lane is important on 13 October 2020.
He says
“I’m hereby thanking @RBKC council for their radical deployment of wands on a road which has been too dangerous for too long.
Listen in as @theJeremyVine describes why the KSH cycle lane is important on 13 October 2020.
He says
“I’m hereby thanking @RBKC council for their radical deployment of wands on a road which has been too dangerous for too long.
This video was posted by @MichielJoseph on 06 November 2020
Kensington High Street, Friday night 530pm. Car traffic is flowing well. Cycle lane is still there. What could have been the reason for the congestion earlier in the week?
@RBKC
Kensington High Street, Friday night 530pm. Car traffic is flowing well. Cycle lane is still there. What could have been the reason for the congestion earlier in the week?
@RBKC
23 November 2020 @JKBartsHeart tweets this video:
“Kensington High Street cycle lane demonstrating its potential everyday.
Clearly this person using a mobility scooter finds the cycle lane more convenient & better than the pavement"
“Kensington High Street cycle lane demonstrating its potential everyday.
Clearly this person using a mobility scooter finds the cycle lane more convenient & better than the pavement"
25 November 2020
@MichielJoseph
Posts this video showing the Kensington High Street cycle lane this morning full of parked cars
@MichielJoseph
Posts this video showing the Kensington High Street cycle lane this morning full of parked cars
25 Nov 2020
It’s a matter of time before Kensington High Street in
@RBKC will transport more people by bicycle than by motor vehicle!
Footage from today.
@betterstreetskc
It’s a matter of time before Kensington High Street in
@RBKC will transport more people by bicycle than by motor vehicle!
Footage from today.
@betterstreetskc
26 Nov 2020
@Tony_Devenish posts this video of himself and local MP @FelicityBuchan claiming - without providing any evidence - that the KSH cycle lane is not working.
If you really want it to work why not continue the trial longer?
@Tony_Devenish posts this video of himself and local MP @FelicityBuchan claiming - without providing any evidence - that the KSH cycle lane is not working.
If you really want it to work why not continue the trial longer?
27 Nov 2020
@EveningStandard journalist @RossLydall posts
No response from @RBKC tonight to apparent imminent removal of HSK cycle lane.
Since its introduction, the lane was being used by 3,000 cyclists a day - more than double the number of cyclists on HSK in Oct 2018.
@EveningStandard journalist @RossLydall posts
No response from @RBKC tonight to apparent imminent removal of HSK cycle lane.
Since its introduction, the lane was being used by 3,000 cyclists a day - more than double the number of cyclists on HSK in Oct 2018.
27 Nov 2020
A statements from the Kensington Business forum blame the decline of KSH on the cycle lane.
The truth is the street had been in decline for a long time before the cycle lane was installed.
A statements from the Kensington Business forum blame the decline of KSH on the cycle lane.
The truth is the street had been in decline for a long time before the cycle lane was installed.
27 Nov 2020
Again from @RossLydall on 27 Nov 2020
The truth is that Kensington High Street was in a terrible state by summer 2019.
I walked its length one lunchtime and counted many empty shop units - reflecting the UK-wide collapse in traditional shopping.
Again from @RossLydall on 27 Nov 2020
The truth is that Kensington High Street was in a terrible state by summer 2019.
I walked its length one lunchtime and counted many empty shop units - reflecting the UK-wide collapse in traditional shopping.
27 Nov 2020 and Nov 2016
This form @JamesNonchalant who has been riding along KSH for more than a decade, noting its decline and positing that a cycle lane could help the businesses there.
This form @JamesNonchalant who has been riding along KSH for more than a decade, noting its decline and positing that a cycle lane could help the businesses there.
27 Nov 2020
This from @betterstreetskc
“It's extraordinary. No safe alternative, no congestion whatsoever, no urgency to take it out. Without even completing a trial period. Huge support they are not looking at. Reckless and irresponsible. We urge them to reconsider.” @RBKC
This from @betterstreetskc
“It's extraordinary. No safe alternative, no congestion whatsoever, no urgency to take it out. Without even completing a trial period. Huge support they are not looking at. Reckless and irresponsible. We urge them to reconsider.” @RBKC
27 Nov 2020
@FoxPrimary a wonderful @rbkc school, join support for safe cycling on Kensington High Street. We urge @rbkc not to rush recklessly to rip out a safety scheme without listening to ever growing support
@FoxPrimary a wonderful @rbkc school, join support for safe cycling on Kensington High Street. We urge @rbkc not to rush recklessly to rip out a safety scheme without listening to ever growing support
28 Nov 2020
“The cycle lanes are there to stop us getting killed”
“The cycle lanes are there to stop us getting killed”
28 Nov 2020 @theJeremyVine tweets:
I guess this will be my last time on the KSH cycle lane. They have only been in place for 2 months, and they are reportedly being ripped out next week. But I had an interesting encounter when I headed there today:
I guess this will be my last time on the KSH cycle lane. They have only been in place for 2 months, and they are reportedly being ripped out next week. But I had an interesting encounter when I headed there today:
28 Nov 2020
“Sometimes size really does matter”

“Sometimes size really does matter”

28 Nov 2020
Don't believe the people who'll say, when it's removed, "no one used it anyway." Watch for the cyclist at the back of the line:
video from @theJeremyVine
Don't believe the people who'll say, when it's removed, "no one used it anyway." Watch for the cyclist at the back of the line:
video from @theJeremyVine
28 Nov 2020
Yes we like it. Because it is safe for us!
Yes we like it. Because it is safe for us!
28 Nov 2020
“I’d be so upset if they got rid of the cycle lane. I love it and it’s so secure.”
“I’d be so upset if they got rid of the cycle lane. I love it and it’s so secure.”
28 Nov 2020
“I don’t find it is safe to cycle in London - and if we can improve it [with cycle lanes] that’s great - that’s why we are paying our taxes - I think.”
“I don’t find it is safe to cycle in London - and if we can improve it [with cycle lanes] that’s great - that’s why we are paying our taxes - I think.”
28 November 2020
“We wouldn’t be able to come out as a family if they got rid of it.
You can’t cycle down this road without a cycle lane.”
“We wouldn’t be able to come out as a family if they got rid of it.
You can’t cycle down this road without a cycle lane.”
29 Nov 2020
The Kensington Street cycle lane makes it a lot easier and safer. It’s a necessity.
I’d be fuming if they removed it.
The Kensington Street cycle lane makes it a lot easier and safer. It’s a necessity.
I’d be fuming if they removed it.
29 Nov
On 29 Nov @IsItABikeLane tweeted this image showing the concentration of KSIs along the route of the soon to be removed KSH cycle lane
“One of UK’s smallest councils shouldn’t have the power to block safe cycling for whole of west London.”
@tfl @willnorman @SadiqKhan
On 29 Nov @IsItABikeLane tweeted this image showing the concentration of KSIs along the route of the soon to be removed KSH cycle lane
“One of UK’s smallest councils shouldn’t have the power to block safe cycling for whole of west London.”
@tfl @willnorman @SadiqKhan
29 Nov 2020
It would be very disappointing if
@RBKC don’t fulfil their commitments & keep to their word by removing the cycle lane
It would be very disappointing if
@RBKC don’t fulfil their commitments & keep to their word by removing the cycle lane
29 Nov 2020
“What do you think of @RBKC removing the Kensington High Street Cycle Lane?”
"I think it is a bad idea."
“What do you think of @RBKC removing the Kensington High Street Cycle Lane?”
"I think it is a bad idea."
29 Nov 2020
@betterstreetskc
Robin thinks the cycle lanes are very helpful & the council should not rip them up this Wednesday after only being finished 6 weeks ago
Tell @RBKC they need to reconsider at https://betterstreets4kc.org.uk/campaigns/high-street-kensington/
@betterstreetskc
Robin thinks the cycle lanes are very helpful & the council should not rip them up this Wednesday after only being finished 6 weeks ago
Tell @RBKC they need to reconsider at https://betterstreets4kc.org.uk/campaigns/high-street-kensington/
29 Nov 2020
I felt pretty safe using this protected cycle lane. Hopefully it can stay.
https://twitter.com/betterstreetskc/status/1333017029645889541video/1
I felt pretty safe using this protected cycle lane. Hopefully it can stay.
https://twitter.com/betterstreetskc/status/1333017029645889541video/1
30 Nov 2020
In this video @theJeremyVine speaks to this local mum and daughter who regularly use the KSH bike lane.
They are astonished that it is set to be removed and plead with @RBKC to keep it.
In this video @theJeremyVine speaks to this local mum and daughter who regularly use the KSH bike lane.
They are astonished that it is set to be removed and plead with @RBKC to keep it.
30 Nov 2020
Decathlon: the cycle lane on KHS is really good for business
So @RBKC doesn’t know how many stores are currently closed on KHS. @betterstreetskc visited the few shops that are open & looks like the cycle lanes are great for business!
Decathlon: the cycle lane on KHS is really good for business
So @RBKC doesn’t know how many stores are currently closed on KHS. @betterstreetskc visited the few shops that are open & looks like the cycle lanes are great for business!
30 Nov 2020
@betterstreetskc
Support for the safe cycling scheme on High Street Kensington continues to flood in. These people deserve to be heard by
@rbkc
before they rip it out
@betterstreetskc
Support for the safe cycling scheme on High Street Kensington continues to flood in. These people deserve to be heard by
@rbkc
before they rip it out
30 Nov 2020
The cycle lane isn’t working claim@Tony_Devenish @RBKC @jthalassites @FelicityBuchan
All the other voices in this thread including @FoxPrimary disagree and want to keep the KSH cycle lane.
The cycle lane isn’t working claim@Tony_Devenish @RBKC @jthalassites @FelicityBuchan
All the other voices in this thread including @FoxPrimary disagree and want to keep the KSH cycle lane.
30 Nov 2020
This from local @RBKC @FoxPrimary
“Families and staff from the Fox Federation, using the cycle lane for their commute and to travel around the borough.
@FoxPrimary
@ashprimary
@AvonmoreSchool
#savethelane
This from local @RBKC @FoxPrimary
“Families and staff from the Fox Federation, using the cycle lane for their commute and to travel around the borough.
@FoxPrimary
@ashprimary
@AvonmoreSchool
#savethelane
British Cycling champ @taogeoghegan tweets:
Good luck to the families protesting this decision tomorrow on Ken High St. Cycling has been taken up by so many new people this year, let’s please avoid regressive road infrastructure action
@RBKC https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/30/kensington-and-chelsea-council-criticised-for-scrapping-cycle-lane?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Good luck to the families protesting this decision tomorrow on Ken High St. Cycling has been taken up by so many new people this year, let’s please avoid regressive road infrastructure action
@RBKC https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/30/kensington-and-chelsea-council-criticised-for-scrapping-cycle-lane?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
30 November 2020
@RBKC faces demands to refund the cash it was given to build the KHS cycle lane https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/kensington-cycle-lane-axed-refund-government-cash-b115087.html
@RBKC faces demands to refund the cash it was given to build the KHS cycle lane https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/kensington-cycle-lane-axed-refund-government-cash-b115087.html
1 Dec 2020 @FranGraham88 posts:
Been out naming wands this morning! Local kids who want to #SaveTheLane on Kensington High Street have adopted a bollard!
Been out naming wands this morning! Local kids who want to #SaveTheLane on Kensington High Street have adopted a bollard!
Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail, has pitted the full weight of his newspaper against the families who use the KSH cycle lane because he feels it is in the way of him getting to his office in his limo
1 Dec 2020 @BBCTomEdwards
Demo against removal of cycle lane on High St Ken. It cost 300k & isn’t finished & is a central govt policy. Downing St not happy. But council removing it after 300 complaints from residents & business.
Demo against removal of cycle lane on High St Ken. It cost 300k & isn’t finished & is a central govt policy. Downing St not happy. But council removing it after 300 complaints from residents & business.
1 Dec 2020
“I think it’s very important for us to have a lane”
vid. by @bearwitness2019
https://twitter.com/JKBartsHeart/status/1333889926664949764/video/1
“I think it’s very important for us to have a lane”
vid. by @bearwitness2019
https://twitter.com/JKBartsHeart/status/1333889926664949764/video/1
1 Dec 2020 @JKBartsHeart
Local Kensington resident Justin joined @VanessaOnAir on @BBCRadioLondon to discuss #KensingtonHighStreet
& said “what @rbkc and @jthalassites are saying doesn’t add up”
https://twitter.com/JKBartsHeart/status/1333865540511821827/video/1
Local Kensington resident Justin joined @VanessaOnAir on @BBCRadioLondon to discuss #KensingtonHighStreet
& said “what @rbkc and @jthalassites are saying doesn’t add up”
https://twitter.com/JKBartsHeart/status/1333865540511821827/video/1
On 1 December @drewsonix tweeted:
When @eveningstandard said "hundreds" objected to the lanes, why did they fail to mention the thousands of daily users?
Compare 300 emails to 300 users per hour!
When @eveningstandard said "hundreds" objected to the lanes, why did they fail to mention the thousands of daily users?
Compare 300 emails to 300 users per hour!
