Outer London sees 22 per cent rise in cycling

TfL says new data which shows levels of cycling increased in both inner and outer London last year is further evidence of the vital role played by active travel, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since spring 2015, TfL has carried out annual cycle counts, of the numbers of people cycling past fixed points on the Capital’s cycling network over the course of a day.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, cycle counts in 2020 were instead carried out in the autumn, with results showing a 22% increase in outer London, and a 7% increase in cycling in inner London.

Despite a huge drop in the number of journeys being made overall as more people work from home, people only travel for legally permitted reasons, it is surprising to see that Londoners have been increasingly cycling to make essential trips and for exercise.

In addition, TfL published its Travel in London report, which showed that almost half of all journeys between April and June 2020 were made by walking and cycling - up from 29 per cent before the pandemic.  

This is great news!

Will Norman, London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner, said: 

"This new data highlights again how, against a backdrop of significantly fewer journeys being made overall, cycling has been a vital means of transport for Londoners during the pandemic, with a particularly significant increase in outer London as people turn to active travel to get around their local area and for exercise.

It's therefore crucial that we ensure roads are safe for cyclists, and we continue to work with the boroughs to deliver new or upgraded protected cycle routes across the capital, to enable people to cycle safely and easily."

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