The terminology is very seductive. It makes wonderful copy.
But every ride is different. There are an infinite number of destinations – shops, schools, libraries, museums, cinemas, places of work and so on. We do not want to have to check the map every time before setting out. And if a destination is not on the grid or a super/quietway what do we advise – leave the bike at home and take the bus? And beware the lobby that wants to sideline us into a cheap ghetto. Only allowed on a few streets for our own safety.
So the Grid etc needs to be viewed as just a beginning. Will these proposals be the first stage of a policy that leads eventually to ALL roads being good for cycling? We cannot know. But the Grid etc are on offer, so the pragmatic response is to work for these and hope. So that is what we will do.
But we must not lose sight of the real requirement – to have the total road network suitable for cycling.
Info on Central Grid here
On the Southwark part here