Outer London sees 22 per cent rise in cycling as new data shows vital role in active travel

Bicycle leaning against the wall

New cycle count data suggests that cycling increased in both inner and outer London last year, with the greatest increases in outer London.

Transport for London has published new cycle count data that shows increased levels of cycling in both inner and outer London last autumn, as people across the capital continued to use active travel as a vital way of getting around during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite a huge drop in the number of journeys being made overall as more people work from home and people only travel for legally permitted reasons, Londoners have been increasingly cycling to make essential trips and for exercise.

Significant increases in outer London also suggest that the types of journeys may be changing, as people increasingly use bikes to get around their local area, to access their local high streets and for exercise.

The research shows people who walk, cycle or use public transport to visit their local high street do so more frequently, and spend up to 40 per cent more than those who travel by car.

These increases further highlight how important walking and cycling have been to supporting travel around London during the coronavirus pandemic.