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Massive increase in cycling on London's Cycle Superhighways

One cyclist every two seconds at peak time on North-South route

A new report from Transport for London (TfL) shows that 4,695 cyclists use London’s North-South cycle superhighway (CSNS) during the morning peak – a rate of 26 per minute; while 3,608 cyclists use the East-West superhighway (CSEW) during the same period of the day – a rate of 20 per minute.

The report on the implementation of Quietways and Cycle Superhighways states that these two routes have seen a rise in cycle traffic of over 50 per cent.

BikeBiz reports that on Blackfriars Bridge on CSNS the number of cyclists has increased to 4,695 and 3,722 in the morning and evening peaks respectively, up by 55 per cent against pre-construction figures. At its busiest, cyclists comprise 70 per cent of all traffic.

On Victoria Embankment on CSEW, the number of cyclists has increased to 3,608 and 3,389 in the morning and evening peaks, up by 54 per cent against pre-construction figures. At its busiest, cyclists comprise 52 per cent of all traffic.

The report also looks at the impact of cycle superhighways on motor traffic. Journey times on the upgrade to CS2 were found to be comparable to those pre-construction, but journeys have become slightly longer in other places.

On CS5 – where a traffic lane has been removed – inbound journey times during the morning peak are approximately 20 minutes, compared to 15-20 minutes prior to work being carried out. Motor vehicle journeys take around 15 minutes during evening peak, compared to just under 15 minutes before the work.

On CSNS, southbound journey times are much as they were before construction, while northbound journey times have risen from around 5-7 minutes to around 10 minutes.

On CSEW, where there has been removal of a motor traffic lane, westbound journeys have increased by 3-5 minutes in both morning and evening peaks, while eastbound journeys have increased by 5-10 minutes in the morning peak and by 10-15 minutes in the evening peak.

The report concludes: "While reallocating road space has made journeys for motorised vehicles slower in some locations, improving the environment for pedestrians and cyclists maximises the efficiency of the road network, and over the long term will result in an increase in the proportion of people using sustainable transport."

Initial findings into the road space efficiency of the two routes suggests that at peak times, the new cycling infrastructure moves an average of 46 per cent of people along the route at key congested locations, despite occupying only 30 per cent of the road space.

TfL will doubtless see this as a success, with the report explaining the reasoning behind cycle superhighways thus:

“With London’s population forecast to grow from 8.6m people to around 10m by 2030, current initiatives to limit congestion are not enough to maintain an efficient road network and ensure London’s continued success as a world city.

“TfL’s priority is to keep London moving, working and growing, and make life in London better – planning for a city with fewer cars in it and a further shift towards sustainable transport.

“The ‘Healthy Streets’ approach will be integral to the strategy to reduce traffic, and work towards a safer and more attractive city for pedestrians and cyclists by making it even easier for people to take public transport, walk or cycle.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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11 comments

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Nixster | 7 years ago
1 like

A more useful statistic I think would be how many people were carried on the relevant routes before and after installation of the infratructure.  Obviously this would have to take into account public transport and vehicle occupancy.

If the challenge of growing cities is to be met without gridlock then moving people around more effectively is what's required, regardless of whether that's by car, bike, skateboard or on foot.

I'm willing to bet a small amount of the hard currency of your choice that the answer is higher post construction of the CSH.

Avatar
Dave the Drivin... | 7 years ago
1 like

There are facilities outside London, but meet heavy resistance. The west way is one amongst many, another on Greenock/Gourock. The latter featured a numpty on a rowing machine protesting against the recent installation.

Avatar
Metaphor | 7 years ago
1 like

What will the Daily Moaners come up with now?

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Morat | 7 years ago
5 likes

Meanwhile, outside London....nothing....

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MikeOnABike replied to Morat | 7 years ago
0 likes

Morat wrote:

Meanwhile, outside London....nothing....

Give it time. It's the trickle down effect.

Avatar
HarrogateSpa | 7 years ago
6 likes

I'm fucking depressed with the state of politics in Britain. The cycle infrastructure in London is the only enlightened, evidence-based, encouraging policy being implemented by anyone at the moment in this poxy country.

Thank Christ for one glimmer of light that stops me despairing. Sorry about the swearing (but it's justified).

Avatar
pcb21 | 7 years ago
2 likes

 

The cycle lanes are obviously massive busy during the peak and this report concentrates on that. But it also tells the story of cars moving at an average of 4mph. Sadiq Khan tells us he wants to "learn the lessons" of the past. Seems pretty likely there will be tremendous pressure to make future CSHs peak hours only (and thus necessarily not well segregated)...

London Cycling Campaign has a fight on its hands

 

 

 

Avatar
handlebarcam | 7 years ago
5 likes

//pbs.twimg.com/media/CyUeQeeUkAQTMXs.jpg)

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jasecd | 7 years ago
8 likes

Excellent if completely unsurprising statistics. This completely vindicates the builiding of these facilities despite the crowing of cabbies and Clarkson wannabees.

Surely this is a mandate for more infrastucture.

Avatar
danthomascyclist | 7 years ago
5 likes

Next time you're sat in traffic on Blackfriar's bridge whinging about RLJ, speeding, weaving, unruly, dangerous cyclists, remind yourself of the following:

Quote:

At its busiest, cyclists comprise 70 per cent of all traffic.

Now imagine those cyclists decided to jump in their cars.

Avatar
Dnnnnnn replied to danthomascyclist | 7 years ago
0 likes

danthomascyclist wrote:

Next time you're sat in traffic on Blackfriar's bridge whinging about RLJ, speeding, weaving, unruly, dangerous cyclists, remind yourself of the following:

Quote:

At its busiest, cyclists comprise 70 per cent of all traffic.

Now imagine those cyclists decided to jump in their cars.

It's much more likely they would use public transport, as 90% already do.

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/506559...

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