The number of daily cycle journeys in London increased to 1.26 million in 2023, up by 6.3% from 1.19 million in 2022, and up by 20% since 2019, according to data published by Transport for London (TfL) in a new report.
TfL’s ‘Travel in London‘ report states that this represents a level of growth not seen in the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic and suggests that Londoners are continuing to make the most of cycling as a sustainable and affordable way of travelling around the UK capital.
While central London has seen a smaller level of growth (1.7%) reflecting hybrid working and less commuter cycling, both inner and outer London have seen increases of 8.2% and 5.5% respectively compared to 2022 levels.
Separate data from the report shows that in the financial year 2022/23, the percentage of all journeys made by cycling reached 4.5%, a significant increase compared to the pre-pandemic level of 3.6% in 2019/20.
READ MORE: TfL announces cycling updates to Google Maps
TfL’s data also shows that the proportion of Londoners who have cycled in the past year has increased, including increases among people from Black, Asian other minority ethnic groups.
In the financial year 2022/23, 24% of Londoners reported having cycled in the past year, up from 21% in 2019/20.
This includes increases among all ethnic groups, including Black people (12% in 2019/20 to 15% in 2022/23) and Asian people (11% in 2019/20 to 15% in 2022/23).
However, in relation to the sociodemographic profile of all London residents there is, according to TfL, still under-representation on many of these groups.
Earlier this year, TfL announced a strategy for making cycling more representative of London’s diverse communities through its Cycling Action Plan.
It outlined evidence-led measures to support underrepresented groups by addressing the barriers they face.
This includes investment through the annual Walking and Cycling Grants London programme, with groups awarded funding every year to boost participation among underrepresented groups from a wide range of backgrounds and ages.
READ MORE: 80% of Londoners feel safer driving rather than cycling, survey finds
Walking also continues to be central to how many people travel in London, with levels increasing in 2022/23.
Data from the Travel in London report shows that walking accounts for 39% of all trips by London residents.
Overall trip rates have increased from 0.66 trips per person per day on average in 2017/18 to 0.80 in 2019/20 and 0.84 in 2022/23.
The new statistics show the benefits of investing in high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure, with the cycle network now at 352km (218 miles), up from 90km (56 miles) in 2016.
READ MORE: Cambridgeshire active travel scheme wins big at CiTTi Awards 2023
Alex Williams, chief customer and strategy officer, TfL, said: “Walking and cycling are absolutely essential to a more sustainable future for London so it’s very encouraging to see this new data, which shows that there continues to be significant increases in the number of journeys cycled or on foot.
“We’re determined to ensure that the way people travel in London is healthy, sustainable and affordable, which is why we will keep working closely with boroughs to transform our roads and invest in our transport network, enabling even more people to choose to make their journeys by walking, cycling and using public transport.”
TfL and boroughs continue to expand London’s strategic cycle network at pace, with 24% of Londoners now living within 400m of the network, up from 5% in 2016.
Achievements and innovations in active travel will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
