London Cycling Boom: More Riders, Bigger Networks, and a Greener Future

Cycling in London is on the rise—and it’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. According to new data from Transport for London (TfL), daily cycle journeys have increased by 26% since 2019, with an estimated 1.33 million cycling trips being made every day in 2024. This is a big leap from the 1.05 million daily trips recorded just five years ago, and it’s clear that cycling is becoming an increasingly popular and practical way to get around the capital.

The latest figures come from TfL’s Travel in London report, which offers an insightful snapshot of the city’s evolving transport patterns. The report highlights that not only are more Londoners cycling, but the infrastructure to support them has also grown significantly. TfL has made major strides in expanding the city’s cycling network, and these improvements are having a real impact on how people move around.

“I’m delighted that London’s cycling boom is continuing. We’re working hard with London’s boroughs to expand our network of cycleways and it’s great to see more and more people using them to travel around the capital,” said Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner. “Enabling more people to make their journeys by walking, cycling and using public transport is key to building a safer and greener London for everyone.”

In fact, cycling is now so entrenched in London’s transport fabric that it’s outpacing other forms of travel. In central London, the number of daily cycle journeys increased by 11.6% in just one year, while outer London saw a 3.8% rise.

“London really has embraced cycling,” said Tom Fyans, CEO of the London Cycling Campaign. “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. 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.”

Much of this growth is thanks to sustained investment in cycling infrastructure. TfL has expanded the strategic cycle network from just 90km in 2016 to more than 400km in 2024—an increase longer than the London Underground itself. This growth means that nearly 30% of Londoners now live within 400 meters of a cycle route.

Cycleway9 in London

“We have made great strides expanding the cycle network throughout London from 90km to over 400km and are continuously working to increase this number,” said Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer. “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.”

In 2023/24 alone, 20 new cycleways were launched, connecting more than 600,000 Londoners to safer, convenient cycling routes. These protected cycleways are especially important in making cycling more accessible for people of all abilities and backgrounds, encouraging a more diverse range of cyclists. As the network continues to expand, TfL aims to have 40% of Londoners living within 400 meters of a cycleway by 2030—a goal that will further integrate cycling into the city’s transport ecosystem.

The numbers are promising, but there’s still work to be done. Mariam Draaijer, Chief Executive of JoyRiders, pointed out that while the overall increase in cycling is encouraging, attention is needed in outer London, where infrastructure is still catching up with demand.

“It’s great to see that overall cycling numbers in London are going up and that it is increasingly seen as a viable alternative form of transport. Cycling can often be faster and more reliable than other forms of transport,” she said. “It’s important though to point out that there still needs to be more work done especially in London’s outer boroughs and we urgently need to work on closing the gender gap in cycling.”

There are also ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and integrate cycling with other forms of transport. For example, upcoming projects like Cycleway C34, which will connect Wood Lane to Shepherd’s Bush, will include protected cycle lanes, new pedestrian crossings, and bus lanes.

“This new report showing more Londoners are choosing to cycle as part of their everyday journeys is great news from both a health and environmental perspective. Incorporating activity into daily life has huge benefits for businesses too thanks to better physical and mental health, so it’s encouraging to see more people cycling,” said Oli Ivens, London Director at Sustrans, a charity that works closely with TfL on cycling infrastructure.  “At Sustrans we’re hugely proud of our work supporting TfL and London boroughs in the roll-out of new cycleways. We continue to design, build and activate new schemes and see huge opportunity for increased cycling in outer-London areas, and an acceleration of the integration of active travel with public transport.”

The growing popularity of cycling in London is part of a broader movement towards healthier, more sustainable urban living.

For Londoners, cycling has become more than just a way to get from A to B—it’s an essential part of the city’s future. With investment in infrastructure, a growing network of Cycleways, and more people embracing cycling every day, London is well on its way to becoming a truly green, sustainable, and healthy city.