London bike use continues to grow

Cycling in London is up by nine percent on last year, with around 545,000 bicycle trips each day, according to the latest figures from Transport for London.

The statistics were revealed at an event in

where city mayor Boris Johnson outlined his plans for cycling investment and summer events were promoted.

Johnson revealed that £111 million is due to be spent on cycling in the capital in 2009, a large chunk of it on the much-anticipated public cycle hire scheme.

Alhough there is still much detail to be filled in – especially on the mayor’s promised ‘cycle super-highways’ – the Trafalgar Square event did throw up some encouraging figures:

• 66,000 new cycle parking spaces, including 138 at Euston Station

• 12 new ‘cycle super-highways’ by 2012

Despite these improvements, Johnson admitted there was still a long way to go. He said: “Cycling is on the up in London, but there is still much to do if we want to really revolutionise the way that Londoners get about.”

Forthcoming events:

• June: London Workplace Cycle Challenge – organisations compete to get the highest number of workers travelling by bike.
• June 15-30: London Schools Cycle Challenge for 11- to 14-year-olds.
• August 19: Freewheel-style traffic-free ride in Hounslow.
• September: Tour of Britain begins and ends in London.
• September 20: London Freewheel – this year the traffic-free ride expands to cover a larger area of the capital, including St Paul’s Cathedral and the City. Last year’s event attracted 50,000 people.