500,000 cycling in London

Tom Crispin

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LCC PRESS RELEASE
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London cycling crosses the half million

LCC welcomes the growth in cycling to more than half a million cycle
journeys made in London every day and Mayoral commitment to support
this with an increase in investment for cycling.

Transport for London (TfL) this week released figures which show an
increase of 91% in the number of people cycling on London's major
roads since 2000. TfL have announced that to support this growth they
will invest £55 million in cycling this year, including money for
cycle parking facilities, education, events and cycle promotion.

Koy Thomson, Chief Executive of London Cycling Campaign, said:

“LCC is delighted that Boris has not only committed to exceed the
previous Mayor’s target for cycling growth but is maintaining the
commitment to increased investment. We hope that this level of
investment grows year by year for the next four years.”

Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport for London, said:

“Despite one of the wettest summers on record, Londoners’ passion for
cycling continues to grow. A 91 per cent growth in cycling levels in
just eight years is a great achievement, but we are working to build
on this steady growth and improve conditions for cyclists still
further.

“The Mayor has made cycling a top transport priority, and this year we
are investing a further £55 million in cycling. As we continue to
invest in new cycle lanes, improved parking facilities and bike
training for people of all ages, I am confident that we will see the
number of people cycling in the Capital continue to rise.”

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said:

“I'm delighted that a growing number of people - like me - are
choosing to cycle around London, and great strides have been made. But
the overall number is still too low, which suggest that many Londoners
need further encouragement to take it up. Alongside TfL, the boroughs,
and business, I am exploring a range of options to make cycling safer,
more practical and more attractive.”

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TfL PRESS RELEASE
==========

More than half a million cycle journeys now made every day in the
Capital
16 June 2008

A record £55m to be invested in cycling in London this year.

With Bike Week underway, figures released today (16 June) show that
there has been a 91 per cent increase in the number of people cycling
on London's major roads since Transport for London (TfL) was created
in 2000.

Overall, TfL estimates that there are now in excess of 500,000 cycle
journeys made every day in the Capital.

The number of people cycling in London increased for the sixth year
running last year, even though last summer was the wettest since 1912.

Between March 2007 and March 2008, cycling on London's major roads
grew by a further 4.5 per cent, with an estimated 20,500 more cycle
journeys being made in the Capital every day.

Cyling numbers grow
Last year was historic for cycling in the Capital as it hosted the
Grand Départ of the Tour de France for the first time and saw the
first London Freewheel bike ride with tens of thousands of Londoners
taking to two wheels on closed roads.

To continue to support the huge rise in the popularity of cycling in
the Capital, the Mayor and TfL are investing a further £55m in cycling
this year - up from £36m last year, and a ten-fold increase on the
£5.5m spent on cycling in 2000.

This money is being spent on improved cycle parking facilities,
education, events and cycle promotion.

Continuing investment
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said: 'I'm delighted that a growing
number of people - like me - are choosing to cycle around London, and
great strides have been made.

'But the overall number is still too low, which suggest that many
Londoners need further encouragement to take it up.

'Alongside TfL, the boroughs, and business, I am exploring a range of
options to make cycling safer, more practical and more attractive.

'£2m is to be invested in new secure parking facilities, and alongside
the forthcoming bicycle hire scheme and other ambitious initiatives in
the near future I'm hoping to inspire a whole new generation of
cyclists.'

Attracting newcomers
Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport for London said: 'Despite one
of the wettest summers on record, Londoners' passion for cycling
continues to grow.

'A 91 per cent growth in cycling levels in just eight years is a great
achievement, but we are working to build on this steady growth and
improve conditions for cyclists still further.

'The Mayor has made cycling a top transport priority, and this year we
are investing a further £55m in cycling.

'As we continue to invest in new cycle lanes, improved parking
facilities and bike training for people of all ages, I am confident
that we will see the number of people cycling in the Capital continue
to rise.'