HedgehogCycling.co.uk

Cycling in Yorkshire & Beyond

Header image with bicycles

Cycling in London 40% Higher than in 2019

Cycle superhighway on Westminster Bridge, by Tim Sheerman-Chase, Licence CC BY 2.0
Cycle superhighway on Westminster Bridge, by Tim Sheerman-Chase, Licence CC BY 2.0

Cycling levels in London in Autumn 2022 were 40% higher than pre-pandemic, Autumn 2019. That’s according to TfL’s annual Travel in London report, summarised in a TfL press release.

Cycling

Weekday cycling levels are up despite less commuting. The increase in cycling is:

  • +20 to 25% on weekdays and
  • +90% at weekends

In 2019, 12% of Londoners lived within 400m of a high-quality cycle route; in 2022, that figure is up to 22%.

Walking

Walking is also up:

  • the proportion of trips made on foot has increased from 35% pre-pandemic to 41% in April-September 2022, and
  • the number of walking journeys per person per day has increased by 11% over the same period

Santander Cycles

In late September 2022, hires of Santander Cycles were 11% higher than pre-pandemic. There have been 10.9 million hires so far in 2022, 762,500 higher than at the same time in 2021.

There have been 86,000 e-bike hires.

Public Transport

Public transport use has not fully recovered after the pandemic.

Tube use is at 82% of the pre-pandemic level, and bus passenger numbers are 84% of those seen before Covid-19.

Will Norman

London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman said:

‘It’s great to see the boom in walking and cycling we saw during the pandemic has continued as more Londoners enjoy using sustainable ways to get around the capital…The Mayor and I are determined to continue building a cleaner, greener and more prosperous London for everyone and investing in and encouraging use of sustainable transport options is a vital part of that.’

london walking and cycling commissioner

Sustrans London

Director of Sustrans London James Cleeton said:

‘It is hugely encouraging that cycling in London is up 40%, and walking up 11%, compared to pre-pandemic levels. The numbers show that investing in infrastructure like cycle lanes, reduced speed limits, ambitious low traffic neighbourhoods, crossings, pavements and junctions, and community initiatives such as cycle hubs, has direct impact on communities and changes the way we travel.’

director of sustrans london

TfL Funding and Future Plans

TfL’s funding agreement with the government includes £80 million per year for active travel, plus a further £69 million allocated to boroughs.

New 20mph zones are planned in Camden, Islington, Hackney, Haringey and Tower Hamlets.

Cycling in London 40% Higher than in 2019