Source: Zag Daily

Recent statistics from Transport for London (TfL) indicate a 26% rise in the number of cycling trips since 2019.

According to TfL’s latest Travel in London report, the capital sees approximately 1.33 million cycling journeys each day, marking a 5% increase from the 1.26 million daily trips recorded in 2023.

This surge in cycling activity coincides with the expansion of London’s Cycleway network, which has now exceeded 400 kilometers, more than quadrupling its length since 2016 and surpassing the length of the London Underground.

“It’s a significant increase in cycling that defies national trends,” stated Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, in an interview with Zag Daily. “What it shows is that all the actions and policies like the expansion to Cycleways, the Mayor’s Healthy Streets approach and the Vision Zero strategy are working in terms of getting more people cycling.”

The most substantial growth was observed in central London, where cycling journeys rose by 11.6% between 2023 to 2024. Inner London experienced a 4.2% increase, while outer London saw a 3.8% rise.

In October, eight Cycleways were expanded in London, and Transport for London (TfL) introduced 20 new Cycleway routes during the 2023/24 period. Currently, 27.4% of Londoners live within 400 meters of the cycle network, with TfL collaborating with London boroughs to achieve the Mayor’s target of 40% by 2030.

A call from the industry is that London’s cycling routes need to be interconnected throughout the entire city, addressing the current gaps in the network.

“We’ve made progress, but this is the start” Mr. Norman stated. “There are still holes in the network – one of the obvious being Kensington and Chelsea. Focusing on those boroughs that are not yet delivering is a priority because a network is only as good as its weakest spot.”

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that next year will see the completion of several borough-led Cycleways, including routes from Rotherhithe to Peckham, Enfield to Broxbourne, and along Deptford Church Street.

“There are boroughs who have never had bike lanes looking at installing cycle networks in the next six to 12 months and that is thanks to campaigning communities and politicians recognising the importance of this.”