London just Quadrupled its Bicycle Network in Eight Years

London’s streets are alive with the joyous hum of cyclists as the city celebrates a remarkable achievement in its quest for sustainable urban mobility. The unveiling of a significant new cycleway in Southwark marks a pivotal moment in London’s cycling revolution, offering a safer, greener, and more connected cityscape for all.

By the end of March, London’s Cycleway network will have expanded fourfold since 2016, stretching its arms to cover over 360km of the English capital’s terrain. It’s about more than just statistics; it’s about fostering healthier lifestyles, and an invitation to leave the car behind.

Cycleway 4 stands as a testament to this vision, a route that links central London to the historic charms of Greenwich. With a newly completed section weaving through Rotherhithe, Surrey Quays, and Deptford, cyclists can now traverse these diverse neighborhoods with ease, soaking in the sights and sounds of the city as they pedal along.

Cycleway 4

“London Cycling Campaign has campaigned for Cycleway 4 for decades. We’re so happy to see it finally open!” said Jakub Mamczak, Senior Campaigns Officer at London Cycling Campaign. A connected and coherent, safe cycle network is the vital next step for our city to take to enable Londoners to embrace cycling as a healthy, clean, sustainable transport mode – already cycle journeys in London match up to a third of all Tube journeys.”

And it reinforces the idea that complete networks are what is needed for all this investment in cycling infrastructure to be meaningful. Many studies have show, that’s what it takes to move the needle, not a few fancy protected lanes to nowhere for show. And London appears to have gotten the message.

“I’m delighted that work on Cycleway 4 is now complete, meaning people cycling can travel more easily and safely from London Bridge all the way to Greenwich. Its completion also means the Mayor, TfL and London boroughs will hit the milestone of quadrupling the size of the strategic cycle network from 90km in 2016 to over 360km by the end of this month,” said Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner.

“Improving our infrastructure and making cycling as accessible as possible for accessible Londoners lies at the heart of the Mayor’s vision for a safer and greener London for everyone.”

Cycleway9 in London

Over the past year, London has witnessed the birth of 20 new Cycleway routes, welcoming over 600,000 eager cyclists into its fold. And with the launch of the Santander Cycles day pass, offering unlimited journeys for just £3, cycling has never been more accessible or affordable.

Yet, beyond the infrastructure, it’s the impact on Londoners’ lives that truly resonates. With nearly a quarter of the city’s residents now living within a short distance of a high-quality cycle route, cycling has become not only a mode of transport – but a way of life. And the numbers reflect this shift, with a 20% increase in daily cycle journeys recorded in 2023 alone, according to TFL.

Looking ahead, the agency said it has plans to introduce 1,400 new e-bikes and a substantial investment of £19.5 million in high-quality cycling schemes.

London’s love affair with cycling is blossoming, and as the city continues to pedal forward, one thing is clear: the journey has only just beginning.