15km of London Quietway opened after 8% increase in cycling levels
Three new Quietway cycle routes, enabling cyclists to travel through safer, less busy streets across the capital, have been officially launched today as new figures show cycling in central London grew by 8% in the last year.
London’s Quietway network is a key part of the Mayor’s plans to get more Londoners cycling and reduce car use. Quietways are continuous, well-signed routes on less busy streets across London. They complement fully segregated cycle routes that TFL are also building on main roads across the city.
New figures from TFL show cycling levels in central London between April and June 2018 grew by 8% year-on-year, from 173,045 daily journeys to 187,345, which is the highest quarterly level recorded since measurements began in 2014. Quietway 2, running between Bloomsbury and Waltham Forest, saw more than 24,000 cycle journeys take place in its first week of opening,with bikes accounting for an average of 43 per cent of road users.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted these three new Quietway routes are being officially opened today as part of our growing network across the capital. Given the damaging impact toxic air has on our city, it is vital that we do all we can to enable more Londoners to cycle and reduce journeys by car.”
The new Quietway routes are delivered in partnership and were officially opened today by London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, TFL and borough leaders from Southwark, Newham and Redbridge.
Lilli Matson, TFL’s Director of Transport Strategy, said: “We’re committed to working with all of London’s boroughs to deliver high quality cycle routes across the capital and it’s fantastic to see London’s cycling network grow so rapidly. These new routes will not only help connect people cycling to a huge swathe of London and encourage more people to take two wheels, but they will make the capital a more pleasant place to walk and enjoy.”
Existing Quietway routes have seen a massive growth in the numbers of people using them. Since 2014, there has been a 188% increase in cyclists using Law Street within Quietway 1, and a 94% increase in cyclists using Coppermill Lane, part of Quietway 2.
