New data from Transport for London (TfL) reveals the number of cycle journeys in the UK capital have increased by 26 percent since 2019.
The data shows the number of cycle journeys increased to an estimated 1.33 million journeys per day in 2024, up by five percent from 1.26 million in 2023.
The growth comes as the city’s Cycleway network surpassed 400 kilometres in September, more than quadrupling its size since 2016.
“Walking and cycling is key to making London a sustainable city, so it’s very encouraging to see this new data, which shows that there continues to be a significant number of journeys cycled or on foot,” said Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer.
“We have made great strides expanding the cycle network throughout London from 90 kilometres to over 400 kilometres and are continuously working to increase this number.
“We’re determined to ensure that the way people travel in London is not only healthy and sustainable but also affordable, which is why we are working closely with boroughs to transform our roads and invest in our transport network, enabling even more people to make their journeys by walking, cycling and using public transport.”
Cycle routes
The increase in numbers was strongest in central London, where cycle journeys increased 11.6 percent between 2023 and 2024. In inner London, there was a 4.2 percent rise and in outer London there was a 3.8 percent rise.
Eight cycleways were expanded in the city last month, and TfL launched 20 new cycleway routes in 2023/24.
The transport operator says that 27.4 percent of Londoners live within 400 metres of the cycle network, with a goal to reach 40 percent by 2030.
“London really has embraced cycling – thanks to sustained investment by TfL, cycling now makes up a third of all tube journeys – it’s a mainstream, mass mode of transport that is healthy, safe, and both climate and congestion busting,” said Tom Fyans, Chief Executive Officer at advocacy group London Cycling Campaign.
“TfL’s latest report underlines the urgency of the next steps needed – delivering high-quality safe cycle routes throughout outer as well as inner London, into every borough. That’s what will help London become the clean, green, healthy city the mayor has committed to.”
Safety
TfL’s latest annual casualty statistics found that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists made up 80 percent of all people killed or seriously injured in 2023.
The number of people killed per year while cycling has dropped by 40 percent from London’s 2010-2014 baseline with deaths falling from 13 to eight despite the increase in bike trips.
Campaigners have urged further investment in segregated bike lanes and better infrastructure at junctions, and last month London Cycling Campaign released an updated version of its most dangerous junctions map.
“There are junction designs that are safer and achievable to be found in London and across the UK. Yet too often, the mayor, TfL and borough leaders continue to utter the same platitudes and more families suffer” said Fyans.
“Until London takes bolder action, people will keep being killed while cycling and too few Londoners will feel safe enough to cycle.”
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