Since the road was blocked there have been reports of large groups of teenagers riding bikes through the street at night

CYCLISTS have criticised the ban on bikes along Oxford Street saying not enough has been done to provide safe alternative routes.

John Chamberlain, from the Camden Cyclists group, said cyclists had been overlooked in the plans to pedestrianise the world famous shopping street.

“I think it’s unfortunate at Oxford Street that cycling has been banned without any thought of the alternatives,” he told Extra. “They’ve done nothing for alternative routes. If the decision is made to ban cycling, then you – at the very least – should offer a safe alternative route.”

Cycling, along with pedicabs, vehicles and buses was banned on Monday as part of the move to pedestrianise the stretch of the street west of Oxford Circus.
Enforcement officers have since been telling cyclists to get off their bikes along the road.

Mr Chamberlain added: “In general, we would not want to see cycling banned.

“And if the decision anywhere is made to ban cycling, I mean, there’s an enforcement issue as well.

“When we look at statistics over the next few years, it’ll be interesting to see what the net effect of that has been on cycle and pedestrian injuries.”

The London Cycling Campaign (LCC) said thousands of people previously cycled along Oxford Street every day and now needed somewhere safe to go.

They said Westminster City Council were building new cycling lanes in George Street, north of Oxford Street, but that they needed to be twice as long and that other routes needed to be added too.

In their statement LCC added: “Without vital parallel routes we’re almost certain to see cyclists trying to ride along Oxford Street despite a ban and cyclists using unsigned, unsafe routes and junction crossings through Mayfair and Marylebone.”

A Transport for London spokesperson said: “Cyclists, e-scooter users and pedicabs will be physically banned from entering pedestrianised sections on Oxford Street with barriers.

“There will be signs asking people to walk their bikes in the traffic-free zone and a heightened TfL enforcement officer presence.

“TfL will continue to monitor and review the design of the scheme to ensure that there is adequate signage, specially designed physical measures, and sufficient on-street enforcement.

“Strict geo-fencing is in place for dockless e-bikes that enter the traffic-free zone, which will automatically cut or reduce power for dockless e-bikes should they attempt to enter the traffic-free area.

“TfL will monitor and work with suppliers to remove any e-bikes found in the area.”