“London’s cycling boom shows no sign of slowing”: Daily bicycle journeys up 43% on pre-Covid levels as Transport for London hails the impact of high-quality cycle lanes

The number of daily cycle journeys in London has risen to 1.5 million in 2025, up 12.7 per cent on last year and 43 per cent higher than in 2019, Transport for London (TfL) confident the boost is further evidence of the real-world impact of “investing in high-quality infrastructure that allows more people to walk and cycle more often”.

TfL published new data from its Travel in London report, showing that daily cycle journeys in London jumped from 1.33 million in 2024 to 1.5 million journeys per day this year, an increase of almost 13 per cent.

Cycle journeys have increased across the city, inner London enjoying a 14.8 per cent increase (650,000 to 747,000), outer London a 9.9 per cent boost (490,000 to 538,000) and Central London a 12.8 per cent boost (187,000 to 211,000), TfL confident the success story is evidence of the capital’s approach to cycling is working, with investment in cycle lanes and other active travel infrastructure “enabling more Londoners to make the most of cycling”.

In fact, walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said there is “no doubt that London is fast becoming a cycling city”; while Lime’s director of policy Hal Stevenson said it was “incredible to see London’s cycling transformation”, the TfL figures showing that dockless e-bikes now make up 10 per cent of all cycling journeys.

While the overall numbers will naturally grab the headlines, TfL also pointed out its surveying found 76 per cent of people using Cycleways feel safe all or most of the time.

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A decade ago, in 2016, the strategic cycle network was 90km in length but has grown to over 431km, meaning that a third of Londoners now live within 400 metres of the cycle network. 

Explaining why this is crucial to getting more people on bikes, a TfL spokesperson explained that it is estimated around a third of all cycling in London takes place on TfL Cycleways, that despite the network only accounting for 2.5 per cent of all cyclable roads.

“This impressive data shows the success of the Mayor and TfL’s investment in high-quality cycling infrastructure, working in partnership with London’s boroughs, and demonstrates the need for continued investment,” a spokesperson said. “Each protected cycleway provided people from all backgrounds and abilities with safer, more appealing routes, encouraging greater diversity in cycling.”

A possible knock-on effect of active travel being more accessible and more daily cycle journeys is, TfL notes, more than 43 per cent of adults in London achieving at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day, the highest proportion recorded to date.

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“As we continue to expand London’s cycle network, the number of daily bike trips is soaring,” walking and cycling commissioner Norman said. “Cycling has increased by 43 per cent since 2019 to 1,500,000 trips every day, with the vast majority of people feeling safe when using our Cycleways.

“There’s no doubt that London is fast becoming a cycling city. Of course, there is more to do. The Mayor and I will keep working closely with TfL and the boroughs, investing in more high-quality routes to enable even more people to walk and cycle, building a better, greener London for all.”

Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, added: “Walking and cycling are at the heart of creating a healthier and greener London, so it’s fantastic to see more people choosing these ways to travel. 

“Every extra journey by bike or on foot helps reduce congestion, improve air quality and make our streets safer and more welcoming. We’ve made huge progress expanding the cycle network and continue to work with boroughs to grow the Cycleway network further, making active travel an even more accessible and attractive option for everyone.”

TfL’s analysis that it is its investment in high-quality cycling infrastructure which has boosted daily cycling journeys may be of interest to the authors of a new review, published by Transportation Research, which suggested that, on their own, non-coercive measures, or ‘carrots’, such as improving public transport or enhancing cycling and walking infrastructure has little impact on car use.

The authors suggested these non-coercive measures need to be combined with measures such as higher driving costs or reduced car access to have an effect.

TfL also today reiterated it is “committed to making life-saving changes at some of the capital’s most dangerous and intimidating junctions, as part of its Safe and Healthy Streets funding”.

“This dedicates more than £150m to improving London’s roads for people cycling, walking and accessing public transport, over half of which is invested through London’s boroughs,” a spokesperson said. “TfL has so far completed work at 47 Safer Junctions across London, including recently completed works at Battersea Bridge. The new Safer Streets programme also offers up to £50m over the next four years to help boroughs tackle the worst safety locations in their communities.”

This comment comes a week after cycling campaigners suggested transport chiefs were happy with an “acceptable” number of crashes to avoid impacting bus times. New research by the London Cycling Campaign found that the capital’s ten most dangerous junctions resulted in four cyclist deaths and 51 serious injuries between 2020 and 2024.