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London cycling journeys hit record 1.5 million a day
New TfL data shows cycling in London has surged 43 per cent since 2019, driven by major investment in protected routes and safer junctions across the capital.
At a glance
Who: Transport for London, working with the Mayor of London and London’s boroughs
What: A major increase in cycling journeys to 1.5 million per day, alongside continued expansion of the TfL Cycleway network, new safer junctions, and investment in walking and cycling infrastructure across the capital.
Why: To support London’s shift to healthier, low-carbon travel, reduce congestion, improve air quality and help more people feel safe while cycling. The growth reflects strong demand for high-quality, protected routes.
Where: Across London, with significant growth in inner, central and outer boroughs. New and upcoming Cycleways include routes in Southwark, Newham, Harrow and Waltham Forest, contributing to the wider target of 40 per cent of Londoners living within 400 metres of a Cycleway by 2030.
London is experiencing a sustained rise in cycling, with new figures from Transport for London (TfL) confirming that daily bike journeys have reached record levels and continue to outpace pre-pandemic growth. The findings, published in TfL’s annual Travel in London report, show that cycling has increased by 43 per cent since 2019, underlining the impact of long-term investment in high-quality active travel infrastructure across the capital.
According to the report, Londoners made an estimated 1.5 million cycle journeys per day in 2025, up 12.7 per cent from 1.33 million in 2024. Inner London saw the strongest growth at 14.8 per cent, rising from 650,000 to 747,000 journeys. Central London recorded a 12.8 per cent increase, while outer London rose by 9.9 per cent.
TfL and the Mayor of London said the growth reflects years of coordinated investment in protected routes, borough-led schemes and safer junctions. The strategic cycle network has expanded from 90km in 2016 to more than 431km in 2025, a 7 per cent rise from last year alone. TfL launched 17 new Cycleways routes in 2024/25, and 29 per cent of Londoners now live within 400 metres of the network. Despite representing just 2.5 per cent of London’s cyclable roads, Cycleways carry around a third of all cycling journeys.
Survey results show that safety remains a decisive factor in encouraging more people to ride. Among those who used a Cycleway in the past year, 76 per cent reported feeling safe all or most of the time. This aligns with broader data indicating increased uptake in walking and cycling, with more than 43 per cent of adults achieving at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day.
London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, said: “As we continue to expand London’s cycle network, the number of daily bike trips is soaring. 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.”
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TfL is also progressing work on new protected Cycleways in Southwark, Newham, Harrow and Waltham Forest, which will include segregated lanes, improved pedestrian crossings and new bus lanes. These upgrades support the Mayor’s target for 40 per cent of Londoners to live within 400 metres of a Cycleway by 2030.
Walking continues to play an essential role in sustainable mobility across the capital. Pedestrian activity rose by 3 per cent in central London in 2024 and a further 7 per cent in early 2025. TfL is supporting this growth through programmes such as its Walking and Cycling Grants for community groups.
Safety also remains a core priority, with TfL has committing more than £150 million through its Safe and Healthy Streets programme to overhaul dangerous junctions and improve access to public transport. Forty-seven Safer Junction schemes have now been completed, including recent upgrades at Battersea Bridge. A further £50 million will be available to boroughs over the next four years through the new Safer Streets initiative.
Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, said: “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.”
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How has investment in protected routes influenced cycling growth in London?What role do safer junctions play in increasing cycling safety perceptions?How does expanding the Cycleway network impact urban congestion and air quality?What strategies support achieving 40% Londoners living near Cycleways by 2030?How do walking and cycling grants contribute to sustainable mobility improvements?Latest City Profile
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