London’s cycleways now four times longer than in 2016

With the completion of a new section of cycleway that connects Rotherhithe, Surrey Quays and Deptford  to Cycleway 4, this significant route between central London and Greenwich is now finished.

This takes London’s strategic cycle network to over 360km, a four-fold increase on the 90km it covered eight years ago.

20 new Cycleway routes have opened in the last year alone, which Transport for London claim has connected more than 600,000 Londoners to the network . They also point out that nearly a quarter of Londoners now live within 400m of a high-quality route.

Recent TfL data shows that the number of  cycle journeys made each day increased to 1.26 million last year, a 20% rise from the number made in 2019.

The new day pass for Santander Cycles which we reported on earlier this year has also been launched this week. The pass allows unlimited sub-30 minute journeys all day from £3. 

An additional 1,400 e-bikes will also come online this summer, three times the current number.

TfL have already announced £19.5m of investment for the next financial year, to complete Cycleways between Lea Bridge and Dalston, between Deptford and Deptford Creek and Hammersmith and Kensington Olympia. This funding will also progress design and delivery of Cycleways across Bexley, Harrow, Hounslow, Newham and Redbridge.

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: ‘I’m delighted that work on Cycleway 4 is now complete, meaning people cycling can travel more easily and safely from London Bridge all the way to Greenwich. Its completion also means the Mayor, TfL and London boroughs will hit the milestone of quadrupling the size of the strategic cycle network from 90km in 2016 to over 360km by the end of this month.

‘Improving our infrastructure and making cycling as accessible as possible for accessible Londoners lies at the heart of the Mayor’s vision for a safer and greener London for everyone.’

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said: ‘In Southwark we’re doing a huge amount of work to make the borough more cycle-friendly. The extension of Cycleway 4 is a crucial piece of the puzzle and helps to make cycling an easier option as we seek to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. In addition to our 700 cycle hangars, which provide 4,200 cycle spaces, we’re improving walking and cycling routes to schools and hope that together these efforts encourage even more residents to get on two wheels.’