Surprising phenomenon in London: cyclists already outnumber motorists

Bicycles have become the most popular means of transport on the streets of London, overtaking cars. This was announced by a report sent by the Transport Committee of the Corporation of the City of London.

During morning and afternoon rush hour, cyclists account for 40% of the city’s road traffic and 27% throughout the day.

Over the past decade the use of motor vehicles has become increasingly restricted in the financial heartland of Britain. The 24-hour traffic count was taken on a rainy and windy day in November last year.

Walking continues to be the main way to get around the city streets, says the report that was sent to councillors. However, pedestrian numbers are currently at 63% of pre-pandemic levels, and motor vehicle volumes are also 80% of what they were in 2019.

However, the number of cyclists is at 102% of pre-pandemic levels. The number of motorists has fallen by 64% since 1999, while the number of cyclists has increased by 386%.

In 2019, bicycles had established themselves as the most popular mode of transport on city streets during rush hour, but the 2022 traffic counts – carried out, like the previous ones, in the fall of each year – represent the first time in which have reached the number one spot all day.

“Long-term trends observed from count data taken at 12 sites across the city since 1999 show that motor vehicle volumes continue to decline and bicycle volumes continue to increase,” the councilors say.

Aside from the pandemic, the largest percentage declines in motor vehicle use occurred between 2007-2009 and 2014-16, the backgrounder reveals.

As Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia explains, the impact of the pandemic, which has led many businessmen in the financial district to encourage their employees to work from home, is also clearly highlighted in a table included in the report. It shows how the different modes of travel in 2022 compare to the figures observed in 2019, with only the bicycle showing growth.

It’s unclear why bicycle use is increasing, but experts say it may be due to many factors: from reduced levels of motorized traffic to improved infrastructure, which has encouraged more people to use the bicycle as a means of transport. At the same time, there are instances where some cyclists may have purchased a bike for the first time during the pandemic and chose it for commuting rather than public transport.

La Vanguardia points out that the availability of rental bikes, including electric ones, has also increased in London, to replace, for example, the last leg of the walk from a rail terminal to the workplace.

In recent years the City of London has sought to make its streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians, in recognition of the large number of people who walk from public transport hubs to work or go out for a bite to eat. lunchtime, the newspaper reported.

In his most publicized intervention to protect vulnerable road users, which is also linked to the objectives of his climate action plan, the mayor of London launched in 2017 a plan to exclude all vehicles, at the except bicycles and buses, from various parts of the city.