New TfL map shows central London cycleways, with nearly 260km of routes added in six years

London’s network of cycleways has grown by almost 290% in just six years, Transport for London (TfL) has said, as a new map showcases the spider web of routes in the city centre.

Since 2016, cycleways in the capital have grown from 90km to nearly 350km in 2022, with 13.9km of either new or upgraded routes currently in construction.

Last month, TfL launched three new cycleways, adding 10km of routes in Lambeth, Islington, City of London, Ealing and Hounslow, meaning more than 124,000 Londoners will be within 400m of a “high-quality route”.

Helen Cansick, TfL’s head of healthy streets investment, said she was “delighted” at the new cycleways, which she claimed would help unlock “safe cycling to communities across London”.

“Working alongside the boroughs, we’re committed to growing our cycleways network to reach even more people in the capital and these routes, alongside the work we’re doing to transform major roads and junctions, will make a real difference to people travelling by bike,” she said.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, tweeted out the map of cycleways, writing it showed “how much progress has been made in Central London”.

Simon Munk, campaigns manager at London Cycling Campaign, a charity improving safety for cyclists in the capital, said the growth of such routes has been “vital” in getting more Londoners cycling.

However, he a: “There are still far too many areas without any protected cycle tracks on main roads, too many gaps between routes and too many local politicians still failing to deliver on cycling as a key way of helping Londoners ditch cars whenever possible for climate, inactivity, road danger, pollution, congestion and many other reasons.

“We need every London borough to start delivering more for walking, cycling and public transport to help residents ditch cars when possible.”

On the growth of the capital’s cycleways, Ms Cansick said: “Walking and cycling are vital to a sustainable transport network and we’re determined to make sure that everyone in London has access to the capital’s network of high-quality cycleways, which are suitable for everyone who wants to travel by bike. That’s why we’ve worked closely with boroughs across London to deliver record growth in the capital’s cycling network.

“Since 2016, the network has grown from 90km, to nearly 350km in 2022, and there is a further 13.9km of new or upgraded cycle routes in construction.

“We are making great progress towards the mayor’s target of 70% of Londoners living within 400m of a high quality cycle network by 2041 and are committed to opening up even more neighbourhoods for safer walking and cycling journeys.”

Funding for healthy streets

In addition to cycleways, TfL has been announcing a range of funding for borough initiatives seen to improve the health of London’ streets.

A total of £63m was recently unveiled to help deliver programmes including school streets schemes and 20mph speed limits on borough roads.

The majority of the funding for Tower Hamlets however has been put on hold by TfL, saying it is working to better understand the borough’s policy on “creating schemes that encourage people to use public transport, walk and cycle and reduce private vehicle use”.