TfL sets out vision for diversified cycling growth in London

Credit: Transport for London

Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled a new plan aimed at increasing cycling participation and representation among London’s diverse communities. The plan, launched in celebration of Clean Air Day 2023, aligns with the agency’s ongoing efforts to promote cycling as an integral part of a greener, more progressive city.

Over the past two decades, cycling in the capital has experienced significant growth, with a 155% increase in daily cycle journeys since 2000. Despite a decrease in overall trips across all transport modes in 2022 compared to 2019, daily cycle journeys increased by 13% during that period.

TfL and London boroughs have expanded the strategic cycle network from 90km in 2016 to over 340km in 2023. This expansion means that more than one in five Londoners now live near the Cycleway network.

The Cycling Action Plan sets two major targets: increasing daily cycle journeys to 1.6 million by 2030, a 33% rise from 1.2 million in 2022, and ensuring that 40% of Londoners live within 400m of the Cycleway network by 2030, compared to the current 22% in 2022.

The plan emphasises the importance of making cycling more accessible to diverse groups and addresses the barriers that they face. It includes targets for installing 42,000 secure residential cycle parking spaces by 2030, providing cycle training for 40,000 children and 20,000 adults in 2023, as well as supporting community-led initiatives. TfL is also exploring the possibility of offering concessionary fares for the Santander Cycles hire scheme to support disadvantaged Londoners.

New TfL data highlights need for action on London’s roads to prevent death and serious injury

In addition, TfL has released new guidance on access barriers to shared paths in parks and waterways, promoting inclusive design principles to improve accessibility for disabled individuals, older people, pregnant women and children.

Furthermore, to address road danger, TfL plans to enhance road safety measures and work toward its Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury on the roads. This includes developing junction safety improvements and implementing changes to the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) based HGV safety permit scheme.

The Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, said: “We want London to be the best city in the world to cycle in, and breaking down barriers to participation and access to it is a big part of that. Alongside London’s boroughs and other partners, we will continue our efforts to expand cycling to build a greener, fairer city for everyone.”

Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Transport Strategy and Policy, said: “We’ve made significant progress with cycling in recent years and we recognise that we need to go even further. This plan sets out significant new targets to ensure that cycling is a realistic choice for all Londoners. We’ll continue to work closely with boroughs across the capital, alongside other partners, to make sure that we deliver on cycling for the benefit of everyone.